Thoughts and observations on the arrival of Orioles pitching prospect Kevin Gausman

Well, the Orioles certainly know how to make a splash.

Orioles to call up Kevin Gausman to make start Thursday in Toronto, sources say

Just last week, Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette said pitching prospect Kevin Gausman was a starting rotation option for the future, but not the immediate present.

Orioles' Chris Dickerson homers in first two at-bats against Yankees

Chris Dickerson received the start in center field Tuesday night against the Yankees, and through his first two at-bats, he’s making the most out of the opportunity.

Orioles prospect Jonathan Schoop seeing back specialist

The Orioles’ top position prospect, Jonathan Schoop, was scheduled to see back specialist Lee Riley at Johns Hopkins on Tuesday to receive further evaluation on a lower back strain that has landed him on the seven-day minor league disabled list.

Jair Jurrjens becomes the Orioles' latest one-and-done starter

To clear a roster spot for right-hander Miguel Gonzalez’s return from the disabled list Tuesday, the Orioles optioned right-hander Jair Jurrjens to Triple-A Norfolk after just one start with the big league club.

Jurrjens sent down; Arrieta or McFarland to start Thursday; Jones DHing

In activating Miguel Gonzalez from the disabled list to start Tuesday, the Orioles again shuffled their rotation a bit.

Baseball power rankings (May 21, 2013)

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

Orioles will wear camouflage caps with bird logo for Memorial Day

New Era has revealed the design for this year's special Memorial Day caps, which the Orioles will wear May 27 against the Nationals in Washington.

Orioles notes and observations (Jim Johnson, Garcia, Showalter, Casilla)

The knee-jerk reaction to Jim Johnson’s third straight blown save is to pull him from the closer’s spot for now.

Pedro Strop's strong stretch comes to an end

Orioles reliever Pedro Strop had allowed just one earned run in his last 13 appearances for a 0.79 ERA in his last 11 1/3 innings heading into Monday night. That’s a dramatic improvement over his early season struggles when he allowed seven earned runs in his first seven appearances.

Jim Johnson and Buck Showalter on Johnson's latest blown save

Jim Johnson’s third blown save in as many opportunities obviously was the main angle in Monday night’s 6-4 loss to the New York Yankees in 10 innings.

Miguel Gonzalez to start Tuesday's game against the Yankees

Miguel Gonzalez, who has been on the disabled list since May 9 (retroactive to May 4) with a blister on his right thumb, will start against the Yankees on Tuesday. He said it’s been difficult to not be able to pitch in a game while not really being injured.

Hot-hitting Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy batting third against Yankees

Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy, who has spent the entire season hitting in the sixth and seventh spots in the lineup, is batting third tonight against the Yankees.

Rays manager Joe Maddon calls Sunday's replay review 'baseball anarchy'

The day after Joe Maddon’s team was awarded a home run after a replay review showed that Matt Joyce’s ball hit the base of Camden Yards’ right-field foul pole in the Orioles’ 3-1 loss to Tampa Bay, the Rays manager blasted crew chief Gerry Davis, calling the situation “baseball anarchy” and saying that Davis “made stuff up on the field.”

Orioles observations on the losing streak, starting rotation, second base and umpires

OK, so the Orioles have lost five straight, but it’s not time to panic.

Crew chief Gerry Davis on home-run replay review

Here's what umpire crew chief Gerry Davis told me about the delay on today's replay review on Rays right fielder Matt Joyce's eventual home run ball in the Orioles' 3-1 loss to the Rays:

Orioles pregame notes on Valencia, Wieters, the second base situation, Johnson, Garcia, Gonzalez

The Orioles will try to snap their season-high four-game losing streak and salvage the series finale against Tampa Bay today at Camden Yards.

Hot-hitting Danny Valencia hopes to continue offensive streak with Orioles

Danny Valencia, who was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk before Sunday’s game, contributed immediately in his first start in an Orioles uniform.

Danny Valencia promoted from Triple-A Norfolk, will join Orioles on Sunday

Right-handed hitter Danny Valencia has been called up from Triple-A Norfolk and will be with the Orioles at Camden Yards on Sunday, according to an industry source.

Orioles send Ryan Flaherty to Norfolk

The Orioles announced after Saturday’s 10-6 loss to the Tampa Bay rays that they optioned infielder Ryan Flaherty to Triple-A Norfolk.

Reimold to 15-day DL; Arrieta back with Orioles; Roberts to 60-day DL

The Orioles made several moves before Saturday's game, with one high-profile player hitting the disabled list and another getting a recall to the major leagues.

Waxing on Jason Hammel and the Orioles rotation

Frankly, Jason Hammel has been playing with fire all season.

Some interesting pitching lines (Hammel, Johnson, Gausman, Petersime, Kline)

Right-hander Jason Hammel turned in one of the worst pitching lines of his Orioles career on Friday night, giving up seven earned runs on 10 hits and two walks while striking out four batters in 4 2/3 innings.

Navarro starting Friday against Rays; Could Flaherty be heading to Triple-A?

The Orioles have an interesting starting lineup in tonight’s series opener against the Tampa Bay Rays, which includes Yamaico Navarro starting at second base.

Orioles right-hander Miguel Gonzalez confident he can return Tuesday

Orioles right-hander Miguel Gonzalez was encouraged by his three-inning simulated game on Tuesday afternoon at Camden Yards and said he hopes to be able to return to the mound in a major league game Tuesday against the New York Yankees.

Jair Jurrjens talks about joining the Orioles

Jair Jurrjens, who will make his Orioles debut Saturday, spoke with the local media after arriving in the clubhouse Friday.

Jair Jurrjens arrives for Saturday start against Rays

Right-hander Jair Jurrjens, who made the National League All-Star team two years ago with the Atlanta Braves, arrived in the Orioles clubhouse Friday afternoon to prepare for Saturday's start against the Tampa Bay Rays.

More with Phil Niekro on working with Zach Clark and Eddie Gamboa

In today’s Baltimore Sun, I wrote a story on the Orioles’ efforts to convert minor league pitchers Zach Clark and Eddie Gamboa into knuckleballers.

Orioles minor leaguers Clark and Gamboa hope knuckleball lands them in big leagues

When right-hander Zach Clark was summoned to Orioles manager Buck Showalter's office two weeks ago and told he was being designated for assignment, the conversation suddenly veered off in a peculiar direction.

Notable knuckleballers through the years [Pictures]

The knuckleball is one of the most unique elements in all of sports. It's revived the career of some pitchers and extended the career of others. As Eduardo A. Encina writes about the Orioles' attempt to groom minor leaguers into knuckleballers, here's a glance at some of the notable names to have excelled with the fickle, fluttering pitch.