Orioles keeping an eye on the storm

The Orioles have been keeping a close watch on Tropical Storm Andrea as it batters Florida with high winds and rain – at one point fearing that they wouldn’t be able to fly out to Tampa on Thursday evening.

Steve Johnson to DL; Xavier Avery called up

HOUSTON – Right-hander Steve Johnson was hoping the discomfort in his left oblique, which cropped up during his relief outing Wednesday, would go away overnight.

Orioles' Chris Davis picked for AT&T; Fans' Choice Bobblehead

The Orioles announced Thursday that first baseman Chris Davis has been selected as the AT&T; Fans’ Choice Bobblehead. The giveaway is scheduled for the Orioles’ game against the Boston Red Sox on Sunday, Sept. 29 during Fan Appreciation Weekend.

Q&A; with MLB Network draft analyst Jonathan Mayo

With the baseball's first-year player draft starting tonight in Secaucus, N.J., The Baltimore Sun spoke with analyst Jonathan Mayo, who will be part of MLB Network's coverage. Mayo offers his take on the Orioles' strategy and some players to keep an eye on.

Steve Johnson dealing with oblique discomfort

The Orioles didn’t just give up six homers to the Houston Astros in an ugly loss Wednesday night at Minute Maid Park.

Orioles management waits on PED suspensions before making judgment

HOUSTON -- An ESPN report Tuesday that roughly 20 major league players will be suspended for their involvement with performance-enhancing drugs as part of the Miami-based Biogenesis clinic scandal has been met with caution by Orioles officials.

Orioles mock draft roundup, who will team take at No. 22?

Projecting baseball’s annual amateur draft is often tougher than the other major sports. And it’s certainly a more daunting task to predict whom the Orioles will select with their top pick now that they’re in the unfamiliarly late territory of No. 22.

Duquette: Urrutia is 'absolutely' an option to help 2013 Orioles

HOUSTON -- Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette won’t dismiss the possibility of adding players through trades and waiver claims as this season progresses, but he also believes there is help from within, potentially including Cuban outfielder Henry Urrutia.

Orioles notes and observations (Tillman, Valencia, McLouth, Johnson)

Right-hander Chris Tillman is 4-0 with a 2.30 ERA this season on the road and 1-2 with a 5.31 ERA at home.

Henry Urrutia hits two homers, drives in five in four-hit effort for Double-A Bowie

Cuban outfielder Henry Urrutia delivered his best offensive game of his brief professional career Tuesday, hitting two homers, driving in five runs and recording his first career four-hit game in a 6-5 win for Double-A Bowie over Harrisburg.

Matt Wieters' plaque on Eutaw Street has been fixed

HOUSTON -- The plaque on Eutaw Street that commemorates Matt Wieters' 395 foot blast last June 29 has received some editing. According to a club spokeswoman, the misspelled “Weiters” on the plaque has been fixed and re-set along the walkway between the right-field flag court and the Warehouse.

Orioles activate Taylor Teagarden off DL; designate Chris Snyder

HOUSTON -- The Orioles swapped back-up catchers on Tuesday, with Taylor Teagarden coming off the disabled list and Chris Snyder being designated for assignment.

Palmeiro's son, Surhoff's nephew among players who could get drafted this week

The Orioles don’t have a top 5 pick in this year’s amateur draft, which begins Thursday night.

Pre-game notes on Markakis leaving, Jurrjens hurting, Betemit hitting

HOUSTON -- Lots of little things from today’s pre-game scrum with Buck Showalter:

Baseball power rankings (June 4, 2013)

Tribune national baseball reporter Phil Rogers ranks the 30 teams in the majors.

Old Mill's Josh Hader makes SAL All-Star team

It’s so early in his career, but the Josh Hader story keeps getting better.

Orioles Prospect Watch

A glance at how the Orioles' top prospects are faring down on the farm. (Last updated June 3) -- By Daniel Gallen

Thoughts on drafting and developing catchers

For Tuesday’s paper, I wrote a piece about the upcoming amateur draft and the fact there is an unusual abundance of high school catchers available this year.

Orioles' June 30 home game against Yankees selected for 'Sunday Night Baseball'

The start time of the Orioles’ June 30 game against the New York Yankees, originally a 1:35 p.m. game, has been moved to 8:05 p.m. because it was selected to be that week’s ESPN Sunday Night Baseball telecast.

Orioles top prospect Dylan Bundy cleared to resume throwing

Orioles top pitching prospect Dylan Bundy has been cleared to resume throwing after a follow-up appointment with renowned orthopedist Dr. James Andrews on Monday.

Jake Arrieta roughed up for eight runs in Norfolk

Right-hander Jake Arrieta had his worst outing of the season for Triple-A Norfolk on Monday, allowing eight runs – all earned – on 10 hits over 5 2/3 innings against Buffalo.

Orioles first baseman Chris Davis receives second AL Player of the Week honor of the season

Orioles first baseman Chris Davis' eye-popping offensive numbers continue to gain him national recognition through the first two months of the season.

Chris Davis tops for first basemen in early AL All-Star Game voting

Orioles first baseman Chris Davis and center fielder Adam Jones are among the leading American League votegetters at their positions through the first reporting of All-Star Game fan balloting figures, which were released Monday by Major League Baseball.

Danny Valencia breaks Orioles' pinch-hitting slump

Entering Sunday’s series finale with Detroit, the Orioles bench had struggled throughout the year in contributing late in games, hitting just 1-for-18 in pinch-hit situations.

Strong outing for Kevin Gausman in his Camden Yards debut

Orioles rookie right-hander Kevin Gausman's first two major league starts were marred by home runs and inconsistencies. After losses to Toronto and Washington, the rookie entered Sunday's matchup with Detroit — the best hitting team in the majors — with an 11.00 ERA.

Orioles notes on Teagarden, Strop, Reimold

Not a lot of stuff here early on Sunday.

Orioles observations on Hammel's ejection, Kevin Gausman and Jon Rauch

The Orioles have done a good job of not allowing tough losses to linger, and they’ll have to do that again this afternoon in their series finale against the Tigers at Camden Yards.

Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy hits two HRs against Tigers' Justin Verlander

Shortstop J.J. Hardy broke out of an 0-for-11 streak in a big way Saturday, going 2-for-3 with two solo home runs against Detroit ace Justin Verlander in the Orioles' 10-3 loss to the Tigers.

Orioles considering extra rest for left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada

After watching pitcher Tsuyoshi Wada struggle through his first four starts at Triple-A Norfolk, the Orioles are considering giving the Japanese left-hander extra days of rest in between starts.

Orioles right-hander Jason Hammel ejected in fourth inning against Tigers

Right-hander Jason Hammel was ejected in the fourth inning Saturday when he hit the first batter he faced after allowing three consecutive home runs to the Detroit Tigers in Saturday’s 10-3 loss.