troy patton

Tonight at 11:59 p.m. is the deadline for the Orioles to tender contracts to their 14 players that are arbitration eligible.

The Orioles have scouted Shohei Otani, the Japanese high-school right-hander who was drafted by the Nippon-Ham Fighters of Japan¿s professional baseball league this week. Otani made it known he¿d like to play in the United States, and teams here could still attempt to sign him

The Orioles could have a mind-numbing 15 players eligible for arbitration this offseason.

After the final out in Game 5 of the ALDS, 200 fans at a downtown pub burst into applause.

The Orioles' 2012 season ended with a 3-1 loss to the New York Yankees in the decisive Game 5 of the American League Division Series in front of an announced crowd of 47,081 at Yankee Stadium.

Russell Martin's solo homer off Baltimore Orioles closer Jim Johnson in the ninth inning kickstarted a five-run rally for the New York Yankees, who took Game 1 of the American League Division Series, 7-2. Game 2 is tonight at Camden Yards.

The Orioles and Rangers announced their rosters for tonight's one-game American League wild-card playoff at Rangers Ballpark.

Although Buck Showalter and executive vice president Dan Duquette have received most of the credit for the Orioles' surprising 2012 season, several of Andy MacPhail's moves built the foundation for this current club.

Players attribute their success to hard work, perseverance – and maybe a healthy serving of breakfast cereal

On the first anniversary of the Orioles¿ memorable Game 162 walk-off win over the Boston Red Sox, it was evident how much these teams have gone in opposite directions.

On Thursday most of the student body at St. Philip Neri School in Linthicum dressed in orange and black as they welcomed three Orioles players who congratulated the school for capturing the grand prize in the statewide "Go Orange" school challenge.

Former two-sport standout and current NFL Network analyst Deion Sanders, in town for Thursday night's Ravens home game against Cleveland, stopped by Oriole Park at Camden Yards to take pregame batting practice with the Orioles.

Orioles left-hander Randy Wolf is dealing with elbow discomfort and could be lost for the remainder of the regular season and postseason, though he has not made a final decision on his immediate future.

Outfielder L.J. Hoes is expected to be announced Tuesday as this year's winner of the Brooks Robinson Award for the best season by an Orioles minor league hitter. He won't be winning it alone, though, not in his mind anyway.

Down the stretch is a daily Orioles Insider blog that will set up the coming night for the O's and their American League competition as the push for the postseason continues.

Left-handed reliever Troy Patton's five-week recovery from a sprained right ankle took much longer than he expected, but he was finally reactivated from the disabled list before Friday's game.

Orioles right-hander Jason Hammel threw a brief side session from halfway up the mound before Friday¿s series opener in Boston.

Orioles set-up man Pedro Strop, who was supremely effective for most of this season, has struggled with his command for a few weeks, leading to speculation that he's getting worn down by the grind and spotlight of a major league season.

Every morning, Monday through Friday, blogger Matt Vensel will hook you up with reading material -- mostly on the Ravens but with some other Baltimore sports stuff, too -- to skim through as you slug down coffee and slack off at the start of your workday. That way he'll have an excuse to do the same to start his workday, too.

Assuming all goes well in Sarasota in the next two days, designated hitter Jim Thome and left-handed reliever Troy Patton will be back with the Orioles for Friday¿s series opener in Boston.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter optimistic Jason Hammel can return this season

Orioles manager Buck Showalter said he didn't go old school by design. It was purely by necessity and circumstance that four of his young, inexperienced starters have ended up in the bullpen in September.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter said that lefty Troy Patton (ankle) threw to four batters -- including two lefties -- in one inning in the organization¿s first instructional league game Sunday in Sarasota.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter likes to say his 2012 Orioles are a "sum of the parts" team, one that doesn't have anyone that really stands out, but plenty of players that help the club win. But in any successful campaign, the inevitable question is: Who is the club's most valuable player?

Chris Tillman (elbow) threw a successful bullpen on Thursday and will likely throw one more Saturday before taking the starting assignment Monday in Seattle. It will be Tillman¿s first outing since leaving the mound on Sept. 2 due to elbow ligament inflammation.

Nick Markakis was surprisingly upbeat talking to reporters on Wednesday, still optimistic that he could rejoin the club if they play deep into the postseason.

L.J. Hoes was at home in Mitchellville watching a Tom Selleck baseball flick Tuesday around noon when his phone rang. A week after his Triple-A season ended, Hoes received notice to come to Baltimore — and be there in two hours or so.

Jake Arrieta said it really hit him after a terrible outing against Triple-A Gwinnett on Aug. 7, in which he allowed five earned runs and lasted just 3 2/3 innings. He picked up the phone the next morning and called sports psychologist Don Carman, a former pitcher.

Buck Showalter said right-hander Chris Tillman will see Dr. John Wilckens today to have his right elbow re-examined.

So as the Yankees and their lefty-heavy lineup come to Camden Yards for a huge four-game series, expect Brian Matusz to play a key role in relief this weekend.

Left-hander Troy Patton had his second throwing session from 120 feet on Wednesday. He will next throw from a flat mound on Friday, marking the first time he will be pushing off against the rubber.

The Orioles are just one game out of first place in the AL East, and they'll be rooting for the Rays to beat the Yankees tonight to give them a change to have a share of first place for the first time since June 7.

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 will enter September not only with a strong chance at the franchise's first winning season in 15 years but in serious contention for a playoff spot. A national baseball audience is finally taking notice.

In their continuing pursuit to bolster an upstart club heading into a September pennant push, the Orioles are prepared to sign veteran left-hander Randy Wolf, who was released last week by the Milwaukee Brewers.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter said the club could use veteran left-hander Randy Wolf as either a starter or a reliever to help the O's through the stretch run.

If starters are pitching well, right-hander could pitch in relief, Showalter says

Orioles designated hitter Jim Thome, who has been rehabbing in Sarasota with a herniated disk in his neck, has been experiencing some weakness in his back and may need another epidural shot.

Left-hander Brian Matusz returned to the Orioles clubhouse Friday afternoon, but to fill a much different role than the one he had when he left.