jason berken

It became clear this season that Jake Arrieta needed a change of scenery, that the Baltimore Orioles had gotten all they were going to get out of a 27-year-old righty who has oodles of talent but too often got inside his own head when things started to go wrong.

Right-hander Josh Stinson will be making his Orioles debut and his second major league start this afternoon against the Blue Jays.

The Orioles added another left-handed reliever to their bullpen Monday, selecting the contract of Zach Phillips from Triple-A Norfolk before Monday's series opener in Toronto.

The Orioles are coming off a big series win over the Yankees in the Bronx and hope they can continue that here at the Rogers Center, where they are 7-33 in their last 40 games.

The Orioles will likely purchase the contract of left-handed reliever Zach Phillips from Triple-A Norfolk before this afternoon's series opener in Toronto.

The Orioles are in such a strange position right now that it¿s hard to predict what they¿ll do in several areas. One is September call-ups.

Even though he didn't get the win or even a quality start Sunday, pitcher Tommy Hunter kept the Orioles in the game en route to a 5-3 win over Kansas City. He had a high pitch count early, but finished out the 5th inning — and his start — at 97 pitches, exiting with the score tied at 3.

Following the Orioles' 5-3 win over the Royals Sunday afternoon, the club optioned right-handed reliever Miguel Socolovich to Triple-A Norfolk.

After three straight quality outings at Triple-A Norfolk, Right-hander pitcher Chris Tillman is knocking on the Orioles door. The Orioles need pitching help, and Tillman has distanced himself from the competition in Norfolk, so it it time to give the 24-year-old a chance in the Orioles rotation?

Steve Tolleson was Wednesday's roster casualty, optioned to Triple-A Norfolk before the game to make space for Matt Lindstrom, who was activated form the 15-day disabled list after missing time with a right middle finger injury.

Dontrelle Willis is back and is pitching against Toledo. But that is not the crazy part. What¿s crazy is this: Willis becomes the 17th different pitcher to start a game for the Tides this year.

When Jake Arrieta was named the Orioles' Opening Day starter this season, he talked about the magnitude of the honor and the leadership responsibility it carried. But the 26-year-old right-hander has looked lost for much of the season.

Having never been on the disabled list in his career, Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis is finding it's almost as painful being away from the team as it is dealing with hamate bone surgery.

Nick Markakis was in the clubhouse sporting a bandage on his right palm/wrist to conceal the stitches from his hamate bone surgery on June 1.

Showalter keeping options open for starter on Saturday

Former Orioles pitcher Koji Uehara is finally settling in with the Rangers. The right-hander has allowed 2 runs in 10 innings for Texas.

Left-hander Dontrelle Willis had dropped his grievance against the Orioles, and will return to the organization tomorrow, his agent confirmed.

Dana Eveland is likely to start for the Orioles on Friday. The left-hander would slide into Tommy Hunter's spot in the rotation. Also, Zach Phillips was called up from Triple-A Norfolk and Jason Berken was demoted.

Texas Rangers slugger Josh Hamilton had four homers -- all of the two-run variety -- on Tuesday against the Orioles. It's the 16th time that has happened in major league baseball history and only the second involving the Orioles.

All signs point to the Orioles recalling left-hander Dana Eveland to start Friday's series opener against Tampa Bay at Camden Yards.

Left-hander Zach Phillips, the last roster casualty in spring training, is in the Orioles clubhouse today.

The Orioles are now winless this season in games after they have played 17 innings. Call it the Great Boston Marathon Hangover.The Orioles came out pancake-flat Monday, losing to the Texas Rangers, 14-3, in a game in which they gave up 19 hits, got only six, and looked lackluster in every phase.

Orioles send down Tommy Hunter and Ronny Paulino to add bullpen arms. Right-handers Jason Berken and Stu Pomeranz called up from Norfolk after team's 17-inning game.

Orioles right-hander Tommy Hunter, the starter in Sunday's marathon in Boston, has been demoted to Triple-A Norfolk to make room for reliever Jason Berken.

Jim Johnson is back with the Orioles after a four-night hospital stay. The closer was diagnosed with a severe case of food poisoning.

Closer Jim Johnson is back in the Orioles' clubhouse, after spending four nights in the hospital with an illness that was eventually diagnosed as a severe case of food poisoning. Johnson left St. Agnes Hospital this morning. He played catch on Friday is listed as day-to-day.

Orioles closer Jim Johnson is still in the hospital battling an infection. Also, pitcher Tsuyoshi Wada will get a second opinion on his injured left elbow and righty Jason Berken has been called up to the majors.

Orioles reliever Jim Johnson remains hospitalized with an infection. Buck Showalter said doctors are doing tests to rule out what is causing the flu symptoms.

Right-hander Jason Berken is back with the Orioles, called up today when Robert Andino was placed on the paternity list.

Baltimore Orioles notebook: Brian Roberts has begun to take outfielder Adam Jones and infielder Robert Andino under his wing in teaching them his mentality of stealing bases.

Darren O'Day and Troy Patton are in and Zach Phillips is out as the Orioles finalized their Opening Day roster. The Orioles set their rotation behind Jake Arrieta. Minor league catcher Brian Ward was suspended 50 games for violating MLB's drug policy.

The Orioles lost their final season tuneup, 6-4, to their top affiliate, the Norfolk Tides, on Wednesday, but the important thing for the big league club is that lefty Brian Matusz again pitched well.

Notebook: Orioles option right-hander Chris Tillman to Triple-A. Reliever Pat Neshek has been impressive this spring after struggling last year with San Diego.

Teagarden will begin season on DL, opens door for Paulino

Orioles whittle down roster

Analysis of Orioles cuts

Brad Bergesen among Orioles cuts Monday

While dealing with a left hamstring injury this spring, Orioles right-hander Jason Berken maintained a throwing program to keep his arm in shape.