Zach Britton News

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.

Summer in Baltimore is a sensory explosion, from the scent of Old Bay-smothered steamed crabs and the taste of marshmallow-topped chocolate snoballs to the smell of Ocean City salt water mixed with sunscreen and the vision of fireflies.

Less than two weeks ago, the Orioles were tied for first place in the American League East.

Trout's arrival in Anaheim in late April 2012 lit a fire under a struggling team.

The Baltimore Orioles have yet to sweep a season series so far in 2013. They have issues with their bats as of late, and are looking for stable answers at second base as well as designated hitter.

The Baltimore Orioles sit just behind the New York Yankees at the top of the AL East , but their starting pitching issues could eventually sink their postseason hopes.

The Orioles are expected to place starter Wei-Yin Chen on the 15-day disabled list prior to Tuesday's series opener against the San Diego Padres.

MLB Team Report - Baltimore Orioles - INSIDE PITCH Sometimes, even while contending, it's not in an organization's best interest to have their best talent in the majors.

The Orioles are expected to place Wei-Yin Chen on the disabled list with a right oblique strain.

This may come as a surprise to loyal Orioles fans, but the club is going to make a roster move on Sunday.

Infielder Alexi Casilla, who has been a switch-hitter since he was 16, said hitting coach Jim Presley approached him about concentrating on hitting from the right side only, and he has been working on that for a few weeks in the cage.

The Baltimore Orioles have made it a point to create a lot of depth at various positions by stacking Triple-A with a bunch of quality veterans, and it appears that starting pitching options are becoming plentiful.

The Oriole farmhands go 1 for 3 on the night, with the Tides winning and the Baysox and Shorebirds losing.

Each week of the 2013 baseball season, columnist Peter Schmuck gives his take on four subjects involving the Orioles, then clears the bases with a final thought.

Orioles first baseman Chris Davis was back in the starting lineup on Sunday against the Angels after exiting in the fifth inning of Friday's game with a right knee injury that was later diagnosed as a tendinosis in the patellar tendon.

Ready to prove all of the doubters wrong, Orioles right-hander Freddy Garcia will make his first Major League start this season on Saturday against the Angels in Anaheim.

The sun is out. The northern tip of the mighty Chesapeake sloshes gently against the harbor walls.

Leading Off The show is a little heavier at the top than normal. We actually have something to talk about in The Brian Roberts Watch , and the Medical Wing fills up a bit more .

A seven-run sixth inning gave the Richmond Flying Squirrels an 11-6 victory Wednesday night at Bowie , enabling them to reach .500 at 13-13. Former Norfolk Tide Kyle Hudson had two hits two RBI for the Baysox, the Baltimore Orioles ' Double-A affiliate.

McLouth blew a bubble with his gum as he rounded the bases. Over his last 10 games, the Orioles' leadoff man is hitting .485 and has scored 14 runs.