Description: Orioles outfielder Adam Jones is hitting .318 with six homers, 29 RBI, 31 runs and five steals this season, and he has performed well against Sunday's starter Matt Moore of the Rays.
Insight: Jones has struggled against lefties, hitting .227 in 44 at-bats, but he has handled Moore well in his career.
Description: Orioles catcher Matt Wieters is 6-for-11 with a pair of homers and three walks against Rays left-hander Matt Moore.
Insight: Moore (7-0, 2.44 ERA) is a tough customer, but Wieters seems to have him figured out. Wieters is batting .230 with six homers, 23 RBI and a .714 OPS this year.
Description: Orioles right-hander Jair Jurrjens gave up four runs on six hits in five innings in his 2013 debut. He struck out five and walked one.
Insight: Jurrjens made the NL All-Star team in 2011, when he went 13-6 with a 2.96 ERA, but he collapsed and had a 6.89 ERA and a 1.86 WHIP in 48 1/3 innings last year with the Braves. He shouldn't be owned in most fantasy leagues.
Description: Orioles outfielder Nate McLouth is 4-for-9 with four runs and two steals over his last two games.
Insight: McLouth has put a stop to a recent slide during which he batted .143 (7-for-49) with seven strikeouts. The resurgent outfielder is hitting .279 with three homers, 32 runs, 13 steals and an 18/19 K/BB this season and should be owned in all leagues.
Description: Orioles outfielder Adam Jones drove in three runs as part of a 2-for-4 game Saturday against the Rays.
Insight: One of his hits was a homer, his sixth of the year. Jones is batting .318 with 31 runs and 29 RBI in 42 games. He had a similar start last year before fading in the middle months of the season. We'll see if he can sustain it this time around.
Description: Baltimore outfielder Nolan Reimold has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with a right hamstring strain.
Insight: Reimold is batting just .188 with four homers and 30 strikeouts in 101 at-bats this season. Steve Pearce and Chris Dickerson will get most of the at-bats at DH.
Description: Baltimore first baseman Chris Davis is a career .444 hitter (8-for-18) versus Tampa Bay right-hander Jeremy Hellickson with a home run and a 1.167 OPS.
Insight: Davis leads the American League with 11 HRs, a .659 slugging percentage and a 1.067 OPS and this favorable matchup should add to those totals. He's a must start.
Description: Orioles third baseman Manny Machado continued his assault on major league pitching with a 4-for-5 game Wednesday against the Padres.
Insight: The 20-year-old doubled three times, tying him with Mike Napoli for the MLB lead in two-base hits. Machado has hit safely in 20 of the last 22 games and batted .417 with 12 doubles and three homers in that span.
Description: Orioles starter Miguel Gonzalez (blister) will throw a simulated game Friday, according to Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com. He'll return to the rotation next week if all goes well.
Insight: Gonzalez left his start on May 3 with a blister on his right thumb and was placed on the DL a week later. He'll throw 25 pitches in the bullpen and then 25-30 in the simulated game Friday.
Description: Orioles outfielder Nate McLouth is just 5-for-29 (.172) against San Diego starter Jason Marquis.
Insight: McLouth is hitless in his last three games to drop his average to .276. He was a fantasy stud in April (.346, 22 runs in 23 games), but has struggled in 11 May games and this matchup isn't likely to help.
Description: Orioles starter Chris Tillman has thrown five straight quality starts.
Insight: Tillman had a 7.07 ERA through three starts after returning from an abdominal strain, but he is 3-0 with a 1.87 ERA over his last five turns. The right-hander broke through with a 9-3 record and a 2.93 ERA in 86 innings last year. His FIP was an unencouraging 4.25 is 2012 and is 4.42 this year, but he should be owned in all leagues until his ERA regresses to that level.
Description: Orioles starter Miguel Gonzalez is looking to make a rehab start this week, according to Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com.
Insight: Gonzalez left his start on May 3 with a blister on his right thumb and was placed on the DL a week later. He'll have to make a rehab start Saturday if the team is going to slot him in the next time it needs a fifth starter.
Description: The Orioles have placed left-hander Wei-Yin Chen on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right oblique.
Insight: Chen left Sunday's start with the injury. Jair Jurrjens will be recalled to take his spot in the rotation but should be left on the waiver wire.
Description: O's first baseman Chris Davis bopped his 11th homer Sunday in a win over Minnesota.
Insight: That extends his hit streak to four games. During the streak, Davis has racked up five extra base hits and seven RBI. His .313 batting average this season is a career high.
Description: Baltimore lefty Wei-Yin Chen exited with a strained oblique Sunday against Minnesota. SOURCE: MASN
Insight: Oblique injuries almost always require time on the DL. Steve Johnson and Jake Arrieta are both candidates to fill Chen's soon to be vacant spot in the starting rotation.
Description: Orioles closer Jim Johnson is 12-for-12 in save chances and has allowed two earned runs in 17 innings this season.
Insight: Johnson broke out with a major-league leading 51 saves and a 2.49 ERA last year and there hasn't been any regression. He's one of the top closers you can own.
Description: Orioles starter Miguel Gonzalez (thumb) will have his next start pushed back to Friday or Saturday, according to beat writer Roch Kubatko.
Insight: Gonzalez left Friday's start after six innings due to a blister on his right thumb. He was a surprise last season with a 3.25 ERA in 105 1/3 innings, but he has come back to Earth this year with a 4.58 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP.
Description: Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts (knee) will have his injured knee examined on Wednesday in Dallas, according to Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com.
Insight: Roberts ruptured a tendon in his right knee on April 4 and it is not progressing as he hoped.
Description: Orioles catcher Matt Wieters is just 1-for-11 (.091) when facing Royals veteran hurler Ervin Santana.
Insight: He's batting just .223 with a .672 OPS through 30 games. With all the catching talent throughout the league these days, Wieters is not currently playing at a starting fantasy catcher level. He's averaged 22.5 HR per season over the past two years and his career statistics are better after the All-Star break, so no need to panic just yet. Just avoid today's matchup.
Description: Orioles first baseman Chris Davis (knee) is back in the lineup Sunday, according to Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com.
Insight: Davis was hoping to be back Tuesday after Baltimore's scheduled off day Monday, but apparently he feels good enough to go Sunday. He only ended up missing one game after leaving Friday with knee soreness.
Description: Orioles right-hander Freddy Garcia took a no-hitter into the seventh inning in his first start of the season and finished with 6 2/3 innings and two earned runs on three hits.
Insight: Garcia served up a two-run homer to Mark Trumbo and Darren O'Day allowed the Angels to tie the game in the eighth, so Garcia took a no decision. Garcia went 12-8 with a 3.62 ERA in 2011, but put up a 5.20 ERA in 107 2/3 innings last season and is unlikely to have much fantasy value at this point in his career.
Description: Orioles first baseman Chris Davis (knee) is dealing with tendinitis in his right knee, but there is nothing structurally wrong, according to Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com. Davis hopes to play Tuesday.
Insight: Davis was feeling better Saturday after suffering a right knee injury while trying to beat out a groundout in the fifth inning Friday. The Orioles have a scheduled off day Monday, so Davis may only have to miss two games with the injury.
Description: Baltimore third baseman Manny Machado is batting .311 with four homers, 19 RBI and three steals this season.
Insight: The 20-year-old Machado went 2-for-5 with a homer Saturday against the Angels and has 12 extra-base hits and a .385 batting average over his last 65 at-bats.
Description: Orioles first baseman Chris Davis (knee) is expected to avoid the disabled list, according to Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com.
Insight: Davis was feeling better Saturday after suffering a right knee injury while trying to beat out a groundout in the fifth inning Friday. He's considered day-to-day, and it's likely he'll be out of the lineup Sunday as well with an off day scheduled Monday.
Description: Orioles catcher Matt Wieters is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Angels. Chris Snyder will get his first start of the season.
Insight: Wieters is not off to a flying start, other than a game-winning grand slam, on April 18. He's batting just .224 with a .685 OPS through 28 games.
Description: Orioles' first baseman Chris Davis is expected to miss Saturday's game against the LA Angels with a sore right knee.
Insight: Davis is off to a flying start, batting .330 with a league-leading nine homers, 29 RBI and a 1.121 OPS, but left Friday's game in the fifth inning due to the injury and will get an MRI on Saturday. We should know a lot more after that examination, but this would be a huge loss to the Orioles and fantasy owners if he's out for a long period of time.
Description: Orioles outfielder Nick Markakis is 3-for-18 (.167) with one homer and five strikeouts against Angels starter Jason Vargas.
Insight: Markakis (.281, 3 HR, 15 RBI) has struggled against left-handers this season, going 10-for-44 (.227), and he hasn't hit Vargas well in his career.
Description: O's right fielder Nick Markakis has been a beast against Joe Blanton (.500 AVG, 1 HR, 4 RBI in 12 at bats).
Insight: Markakis is hitting .284 this season, which isn't far off from his .295 lifetime clip. Expect both of those numbers to rise Thursday with Blanton (0-4, 7.09 ERA) taking the hill for Los Angeles.
Description: Orioles pitching prospect Dylan Bundy (elbow) had a platelet-rich plasma injection and will rest for six weeks. SOURCE: Roch Kubatko, MASNSports.com
Insight: Bundy, who has been bothered by forearm and elbow stiffness since spring training, met with Dr. James Andrews on Monday. If he makes it to the big leagues this season, it won't be until after the All-Star break.
Description: Orioles starter Miguel Gonzalez' ERA and WHIP are up to 4.60 and 1.50, respectively, after Sunday's start against Oakland (5 1/3 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 4 K)
Insight: Gonzalez was a surprise last season as a rookie, going 9-4 with a 3.25 ERA and 1.21 WHIP over 18 games, but he needed a .260 BABIP and 82.6 percent strand rate to get that done. He's coming back to reality now.
Description: Baltimore third baseman Manny Machado has gone 16-for-39 (.410) with five doubles, a triple, a homer, nine RBIs and seven runs in his last nine games.
Insight: The 20-year-old Machado displayed promise last year as a rookie but wasn't a strong fantasy option. He's aiming to change that in 2013. A 4-for-5 Sunday against Oakland raises his batting average to .302.
Description: Orioles outfielder Nate McLouth picked up four hits, stole a base and scored four runs Sunday versus Oakland.
Insight: The veteran revived his career in 55 games with Baltimore last year and has continued his resurgence in 2013. McLouth is 15-for-24 (.625) with one homer, six RBIs, five steals and 13 runs over his last eight games.
Description: Sunday would be a good day to give Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy the day off as he's 2-for-17 (.118) against Oakland's starter Bartolo Colon.
Insight: Hardy has a modest four-game hitting streak, but his average is still below the Mendoza Line. He does have three home runs and has averaged 26 HR over the past two seasons, but it's unlikely this matchup will add to his total.
Description: Orioles starter Zach Britton will be called up from Triple-A and is expected to join the starting rotation.
Insight: Britton is a talented young lefty who was 5-2 with a 2.35 in his first 10 big league starts in 2011, but he finished up 6-9 with a 6.25 ERA in his final 18 and then had his 2012 season delayed by a shoulder impingement. He went 5-3 with a 5.07 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP in 60 1/3 innings last year and can be monitored from a distance.
Description: Baltimore left fielder Nate McLouth had two hits, walked twice and scored three runs Wednesday against Toronto.
Insight: McLouth has scored 14 runs in 18 games and is batting .293 with five steals. That should keep fantasy owners satisfied while they wait for his first home run.
Description: Orioles catcher Matt Wieters is not in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against Toronto. He has struggled against Toronto starter Brandon Morrow, going 2-for-18 with five strikeouts, in their matchups. It's simply a rest day.
Insight: Wieters is not off to a flying start, other than a game-winning grand slam, on April 18. He's batting just .215 with a .695 OPS through 19 games and shouldn't be started on Wednesday afternoon.
Description: Orioles catcher Matt Wieters has struggled against Toronto starter Brandon Morrow, going 2-for-18 with five strikeouts, in their matchups.
Insight: Wieters is not off to a flying start, other than a game-winning grand slam, on April 18. He's batting just .215 with a .695 OPS through 19 games and shouldn't be started on Wednesday afternoon.
Description: Orioles outfielder Adam Jones is a career .393 hitter against Blue Jays hurler Brandon Morrow with three homers and a 1.183 OPS in 28 at-bats.
Insight: Jones is off to another blazing start this year, batting .354, with 18 runs scored and 15 RBI in the first 20 games. A year ago he batted .333 in April with a .980 OPS. We're beginning to see a pattern. He's a must start on Wednesday versus Morrow and the Blue Jays.
Description: Orioles pitching prospect Dylan Bundy will have his sore elbow and forearm examined by Dr. James Andrews after he "didn't feel right" throwing off flat ground Monday. SOURCE: Brittany Ghiroli
Insight: Bundy has been bothered by forearm and elbow stiffness since spring training. Even if he doesn't have a serious elbow problem, it is becoming increasingly unlikely that we will see him in the big leagues in 2013.
Description: Orioles righthander Jake Arrieta has been demoted to Triple-A Norfolk.
Insight: Arrieta (1-1, 6.63 ERA in four starts) pitched well in spring training but unfortunately that success didn't carry over into the regular season. Steve Johnson (strained lat) is likely to absorb Arrieta's spot in the rotation as soon as he finishes up his rehab assignment.
Description: Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy went 1-for-6 with a homer, three RBIs, a walk and two runs scored Saturday in a doubleheader against Baltimore.
Insight: Hardy is batting .190, but he does have four doubles, three homers and 10 RBIs. He's not someone you should play all season, but he'll be useful during his two or three hot streaks.
Description: Orioles catcher Matt Wieters hit a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the 10th inning Thursday against the Rays.
Insight: Wieters went 2-for-5 with a double, a homer and three strikeouts in the game and has three home runs, seven walks and 11 strikeouts in 15 games this season.
Description: Orioles' catcher Matt Wieters is a stunning 5-for-8 with three walks and three homers against the Rays' Wednesday starter Matt Moore.
Insight: Wieters was just 1-for-10 in the Yankees' three-game set, but opened up the series with Tampa Bay by taking Roberto Hernandez deep. Although Baltimore is averaging 4.69 runs per game, Wieters hasn't been a big participant in the scoring fun. Hopefully that will change soon.
Description: Baltimore left fielder Nate McLouth won't draw much interest in fantasy leagues Sunday with Hiroki Kuroda getting the start for New York.
Insight: McLouth's .125 career average against the veteran certainly isn't appealing to fantasy owners. Neither is his .382 slugging percentage or his .250 average at Yankee Stadium.
Description: Red Sox righthander Alfredo Aceves has had Matt Wieters' number throughout his career. The Orioles catcher has recorded just one hit in 12 at bats against the Boston reliever-turned starter.
Insight: That certainly doesn't bode well for Wieters. Neither does the fact that he's hitting .083 over his last four games.
Description: O's shortstop J.J. Hardy hasn't had much success in 18 previous at bats against Red Sox righthander Alfredo Aceves. Only three of those at bats have resulted in base hits.
Insight: Hardy has had trouble against the Sox in general. Since the start of the 2012 season, Hardy has hit just .214 versus Boston with 16 strikeouts in 84 at bats. He's been especially bad at Fenway Park, the site of Thursday night's series finale (.185 AVG the last two seasons).
Description: Orioles first baseman Chris Davis launched his fifth home run of the season Wednesday in a win over Boston. Don't count on Davis to repeat that accomplishment Thursday versus Alfredo Aceves.
Insight: Davis is a .167 lifetime hitter against Aceves with four strikeouts in 12 at bats. With that said, it's understandable if you aren't willing to bench Davis on Thursday. Let's face it, he's been tremendous this season (.393 AVG, league-best 18 RBI).
Description: Baltimore shortstop J.J. Hardy should not be in any fantasy lineups on Wednesday as he's a career .074 hitter (2-for-27) when facing Boston starter Ryan Dempster.
Insight: Hardy has a pair of homers this season, but is batting just .214 through the first seven games. Fantasy owners are hoping he'll rebound from a down 2012 season.
Description: Orioles pitching prospect Dylan Bundy is "pain-free" and on a strengthening program, according to Steve Melewski of MASNsports.com.
Insight: Bundy was placed on the minor league disabled list with right forearm stiffness last week, but the move was largely precautionary. He didn't have any structural damage in his right arm.
Description: Orioles outfielder Nick Markakis off to a fast start this season, but has produced very little when facing Boston starter Clay Buchholz. In 31 career at-bats he's managed just four hits for a .129 batting average with a .419 OPS.
Insight: Markakis' spring training neck injury is just a distant memory as he's batting .370 with an .858 OPS through the first two series. We're still waiting for his first home run and with this unfavorable matchup on the horizon we will probably have to wait at least one more day.
Description: Baltimore shortstop J.J. Hardy is always happy to see Clay Buchholz on the mound because he is a career .462 hitter with a pair of homers in 13 at-bats against the Boston right-hander.
Insight: Hardy homered on Sunday against Minnesota, his second of the season and has a hit in each of the past four games. Fantasy owners are hoping he'll rebound from a down 2012 season.
Description: Orioles outfielder Nolan Reimold had to exit Sunday's game with right hamstring tightness, according to Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com.
Insight: Reimold will be re-evaluated Monday to determine the severity of the injury. If he has to miss an extended period of time, the Orioles would likely go with Steve Pearce as the designated hitter.
Description: Orioles starter Chris Tillman (abdomen) came off the DL to start Saturday against the Twins and allowed 11 baserunners (7 H, 4 BB) and five runs in 3 2/3 innings.
Insight: Tillman dealt with an abdominal injury this spring. He had a 9-3 record, 2.93 ERA and 1.05 WHIP last season but that was a product of a .221 BABIP. The right-hander had a 4.25 FIP.
Description: Orioles outfielder Nick Markakis went 4-for-5 with two doubles and a run Saturday night against the Twins.
Insight: Markakis dealt with a neck injury in spring training but he has started off 8-for-23 (.348) with six runs, two walks and zero strikeouts. He hit leadoff in the season opener but has moved down to third in front of the red hot Chris Davis for the last four games.
Description: Orioles starter Chris Tillman (abdomen) will make his regular season debut Saturday against Minnesota.
Insight: Tillman started the season on the DL. Keep in mind that he had a .221 BABIP and 4.25 FIP last season and could struggle to duplicate his 9-3 record, 2.93 ERA and 1.05 WHIP.
Description: First baseman Chris Davis clobbered a grand slam to give the Orioles a 9-5 lead Friday in a win over Minnesota.
Insight: Here is Davis' stat line after four games: .600, 4 HR, 16 RBI. Dating back to last season, Davis has now homered in 10 of his last 11 regular season games. Pretty soon pitchers will have to start giving him the Barry Bonds treatment and walk Davis every time he goes to the plate.
Description: Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts has been placed on the 15-day DL with a ruptured tendon in his right knee.
Insight: No surgery is needed but he could miss up to a month. In a corresponding move the Orioles recalled INF/OF Yamaico Navarro from Triple-A Norfolk, but Alexi Casilla figures to get most of the playing time at second and his fantasy value is minimal. He's a career .250 hitter with 11 homers and 71 SB in six seasons with Minnesota.
Description: Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts will miss Friday's game against Minnesota with a strained righht hamstring.
Insight: Baltimore manager Buck Showalter said after the game that Roberts "felt something at the bottom of the hamstring" and added that the team would know more on Friday. In the mean time, plan on being without the injury-prone second baseman for a while.
Description: Orioles starter Miguel Gonzalez limited the Rays to two runs on five hits in 6 1/3 innings Thursday in his first start of the season. He fanned four and walked two.
Insight: Gonzalez was a surprise last season as a rookie, going 9-4 with a 3.25 ERA and 1.21 WHIP over 18 games. He had been in the minors since 2006 with the Angels and Red Sox before getting a shot with Baltimore in 2012. It will be tough to duplicate his 2012 ERA, however, since he had a .260 BABIP and 82.6 percent strand rate.
Description: Orioles outfielder Adam Jones batted .500 (7-for-14) with two doubles and five runs against the Rays in the first series of the 2013 season.
Insight: Jones was frequently driven in by Chris Davis, who had 11 RBIs in the series. The outfielder hit 32 homers and scored 103 runs last season.
Description: Orioles first baseman Chris Davis crushed his third homer of the season and had four RBIs Thursday against the Rays.
Insight: Davis went 7-for-11 with three doubles, three homers, 11 RBIs and a 1/1 K/BB in the opening series of the season. The K/BB ratio is encouraging since he struck out 169 times with 37 walks last season.
Description: Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts left Thursday's game with a right knee injury.
Insight: Roberts slid headfirst into second base and grabbed his knee when he stood up. Baltimore manager Buck Showalter said after the game that Roberts "felt something at the bottom of the hamstring" and added that the team would know more on Friday. He sounded resigned to being without Roberts for awhile.
Description: Orioles outfielder Adam Jones is a career .321 hitter against the Rays' Jeremy Hellickson with three homers and a 1.023 OPS.
Insight: Jones had three hits, including two doubles, in five at-bats in Tuesday's season opener against the Rays. He scored two and drove in two. Jones got off to a fast start last April, batting .333 with six homers and 12 RBI in 23 games. It appears he might be ready to replicate those numbers this season.
Description: Orioles first baseman Chris Davis belted a three-run homer Tuesday in the seventh inning against the Rays.
Insight: Davis strikes out a ton (169 last season) so he's prone to long slumps but he hit a career-high 33 homers in 139 games last season and will serve as the everyday first baseman.
Description: Orioles outfielder Adam Jones had three hits, including two doubles, in five at-bats in Tuesday's season opener against the Rays. He scored two and drove in two.
Insight: Jones came into the game 5-for-29 against Rays starter David Price with seven strikeouts and an ugly .441 OPS, but Price struggled with location in the game. Jones hit .314 with 16 homers and a .983 OPS in April and May last season.
Description: Orioles catcher Matt Wieters had a big day to help Baltimore win its season opener Tuesday against Tampa Bay. He went 2-for-3 with a double, two-run homer and two walks.
Insight: Wieters hit .323 with a .908 OPS in 133 at-bats against lefties last season, so having a nice game against David Price isn't a major development. He'll have to improve against righties if he wants to pick up his offensive stats from the .250s, 23-homer area he has been in the last two seasons.
Description: Orioles outfielder Nick Markakis is probable for Tuesday's game against Tampa Bay. He's been dealing with a herniated disc in his neck.
Insight: Markakis (.298, 13 HR, 54 RBI in 2012) has been bothered by a stiff neck since early March. He hasn't gotten many at-bats this spring (29) and may not be ready to produce at the start of the season.
Description: Orioles outfielder Adam Jones is just a career .172 hitter (5-for-29) against Rays starter David Price with seven strikeouts and an ugly .441 OPS.
Insight: Jones played every game in 2012 and produced career-highs in runs (103), hits (186), doubles (39), homers (32), stolen bases (16), batting average (.287) and OPS (.839). We are expecting more of the same for 2013, but probably not in this bad opening day matchup.
Description: Jake Arrieta is expected to start the fourth game of the season for Baltimore.
Insight: Arrieta won the final spot in the Orioles' rotation by putting up a 1.56 ERA and 16 strikeouts in 17 1/3 innings this spring. He has a career ERA of 5.33 in 334 1/3 innings and needs to show us some improvement before we recommend him as a fantasy option.
Description: The Orioles have agreed to a contract with righthander Freddy Garcia.
Insight: Garcia was cut by the Padres just a few days earlier. Baltimore's rotation already has plenty of depth so they won't need Garcia in the big leagues right away. Expect the veteran to report to Triple-A Norfolk for the time being.
Description: Orioles starter Chris Tillman (abdomen) is expected to start the fifth game of the season, manager Buck Showalter said.
Insight: Tillman will try to build on a strong 2012 season. Keep in mind that he had a .221 BABIP and 4.25 FIP and could struggle to duplicate his 9-3 record, 2.93 ERA and 1.05 WHIP.
Description: Righthander Jason Hammel will get the start in Baltimore's season opener Tuesday against Tampa Bay.
Insight: After three painful seasons in Colorado, Hammel finally enjoyed a breakout year with the Orioles in 2012. His 3.43 ERA in 118 innings was the lowest of his career. Hammel's 1.24 WHIP last season was also a personal best.
Description: Orioles righthander Steve Johnson has been suffering from a strained lat. SOURCE: Roch Kubatko, MASN
Insight: He could begin the year on the disabled list. Johnson pitched well last year in limited action (4-0, 2.11 ERA in 12 appearances) and could see some time in the rotation this season if any of the O's starters get hurt. Of course, he'll have to get himself healthy first.
Description: Orioles outfielder Nick Markakis (neck) will start in right field Wednesday in his second game since returning to action.
Insight: Markakis (.298, 13 HR, 54 RBI) has been bothered by a stiff neck since early March and was diagnosed a slightly herniated disk. However, he should be ready for Opening Day if he can get through Wednesday's game without a setback.
Description: MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli reports that Orioles DH Wilson Betemit will miss the next 6-to-8 weeks with a Grade 2/3 PCL tear in his right knee.
Insight: That's actually a much more positive diagnosis than we had expected. If Betemit had required surgery, he could have missed most of the 2013 season. Nolan Reimold will take over at DH for the time being.
Description: Eduardo Encina of the Baltimore Sun is reporting that Orioles DH Wilson Betemit has a torn PCL in his right knee.
Insight: If Betemit needs surgery, he'll probably be out for the whole season. As it stands now, Nolan Reimold (.313, 5 HR, 10 RBI last season) is likely to be the Orioles' starting DH in 2013.
Description: The Baltimore Sun predicts that righthander Jake Arrieta will win the final spot in the Orioles' starting rotation.
Insight: Arrieta, Steve Johnson, Tommy Hunter, Zach Britton, Brian Matusz and Jair Jurrjens have all been linked to the fifth spot in Baltimore's rotation but in the end it looks like it's going to go to either Matusz or Arrieta. Though Matusz is probably more talented than Arrieta, he might be more valuable to Buck Showalter as a late inning lefty specialist out of the bullpen. Arrieta is having a nice spring so far (1-0, 1.56 ERA in five appearances) but he's coming off a terrible season (3-9, 6.20).
Description: Orioles righthander Dylan Bundy will open the season at Double-A Bowie.
Insight: Bundy made it all the way to the majors at the end of last year and was dominating in the Grapefruit League before his demotion (1-1, 1.13 ERA in four appearances). The 20-year-old shouldn't be in Double-A long and it wouldn't surprise us to see him in the O's starting rotation at some point in 2013.
Description: Baltimore outfielder Nick Markakis, who is dealing with a slightly herniated disk in his neck, said Wednesday that he's "pretty optimistic" he'll be ready for Opening Day. He added that if he isn't, he won't be out more than a week beyond that. SOURCE: Roch Kubatko, MASNSports.com
Insight: Markakis (.298, 13 HR, 54 RBI) has been bothered by a stiff neck for over a week and was diagnosed with the slightly herniated disk Tuesday. Fortunately, the injury usually heals in a 7-14 days so Markakis should be back soon.
Description: Baltimore outfielder Nick Markakis has a slightly herniated disk in his neck, according to Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com.
Insight: Markakis (.298, 13 HR, 54 RBI) has been bothered by a stiff neck for over a week. Fortunately, the injury usually heals in a 7-14 days and Markakis is still on track for Opening Day.
Description: Baltimore outfielder Nick Markakis will have an MRI on his stiff neck on Monday, according to Orioles.com.
Insight: Markakis (.298, 13 HR, 54 RBI) has been bothered by a stiff neck since last Sunday and suffered a setback Thursday. The MRI is considered precautionary at this time. Markakis' power never progressed after he hit 23 homers in 2007, but he has batted .284 or better in each of his seven big league seasons. He hit .335 with five homers in 54 games after returning from a broken hand last season.
Description: Orioles outfielder Nolan Reimold left Friday's spring game with a sore right shoulder. Reimold reportedly made the decision to remove himself from the game before he batted in the second inning but he was allowed to hit and belted a home run. SOURCE: Roch Kubatko, MASNSports.com
Insight: Reimold will take a "day or two off from throwing" as a precautionary measure. The outfielder stressed that the discomfort had nothing to do with his surgery last June, in which he had a herniated disc removed from his neck and two vertebrae fused. Reimold got off to a great start with five homers in his first 16 games last season before the injury ended his year.
Description: Orioles right-hander Jason Hammel (knee) is expected to make about six starts this spring, according to Baltimore Sun beat writer Eduardo A. Encina.
Insight: Injuries derailed Hammel late in the season but early on he was as good as any pitcher in the major leagues going 6-1 with a 2.78 ERA in his first nine starts. Expect the 30-year-old to have a strong year in 2013.
Description: Orioles righty Jair Jurrjens was happy with his work in Sunday's spring training game, according to Adam Berry of MLB.com.
Insight: Jurrjens (knee) had to settle for a minor league deal after Baltimore wasn't satisfied with his physical, but was clocked between 91-93 m.p.h. Jurrjens had some good years in Atlanta and could turn out to be a nice pickup for the Orioles. Fantasy owners should take a wait-and-see attitude, but if he looks good throughout the spring, he could be a viable fifth starter on your roster.
Insight: Jurrjens (knee) had to settle for a minor league deal after Baltimore wasn't satisfied with his physical. Jurrjens said he's trying to get back to his mechanics from before his right knee injury. He estimated that he has thrown 15 bullpen sessions already this offseason to prove he's healthy.
Description: The Orioles have signed Jair Jurrjens to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. SOURCE: Brittany Ghiroli
Insight: Jurrjens agreed to a one-year, $1.5 million contract with Baltimore in January but the team wasn't satisfied with his physical due to concerns about his knee. He's a near-lock to make the roster.
Description: The Orioles avoided arbitration with righthander Jason Hammel by reaching a one-year, $6.75 million deal.
Insight: Injuries derailed Hammel late in the season but in the first half, he was as good as any pitcher in the major leagues (8-5, 3.47 ERA). Expect the 30-year-old to have another strong year in 2013.
Description: American League saves leader Jim Johnson has agreed to a one-year, $6.5 million deal to remain with the Orioles.
Insight: The deal means that the two sides won't need to get an arbitrator involved. Fresh off a breakout 2012 campaign (2.49 ERA, major-league leading 51 saves in 54 chances), Johnson should be one of the top closers in fantasy this season.
Description: DH Nick Johnson has announced his retirement from MLB.
Insight: Johnson produced 4 HR and 11 RBI in 38 games for Baltimore in 2012. He'll end his big league career with 95 HR, 398 RBI and a .268 batting average in 832 games played.
Description: The Orioles have reportedly signed right-hander Jair Jurrjens to a one-year, $1.5 million contract. SOURCE: Jon Heyman, CBSSports.com
Insight: While Jurrjens posted a 13-6 record and 2.96 ERA and made the NL All-Star team in 2011, we can't recommend drafting him coming off a season in which he had a 6.89 ERA in 48 1/3 innings.
Description: Baltimore starter Jason Hammel told MASN.com that he would be ready for spring training without restrictions after mid-July knee surgery limited him to just two September starts.
Insight: Hammel had a solid postseason, compiling a 3.18 ERA in two appearances. He was an early breakout fantasy starter after going 6-1 through May 25 with a 2.78 ERA and 1.127 WHIP.
Description: Dan Connolly from the Baltimore Sun reports that second baseman Brian Roberts underwent sports hernia surgery last month.
Insight: Roberts has had so many surgeries it's getting hard to keep track of them all. It would be a small miracle if he's able to play 100 games this season.
Description: Baltimore outfielder Nick Markakis, who had successful surgery to repair his broken left thumb in September, said he's had no setbacks and is ready for spring training with no restrictions, according to MASNSports.com report.
Insight: Markakis (.298, 13 HR, 54 RBI) played just 104 games, the fewest in any of his seven seasons. He could be undervalued this March because his numbers don't look enticing to fantasy owners but he's always been a viable fantasy option.
Description: The Baltimore Sun is reporting that Chris Davis will open next season as the Orioles' starting first baseman.
Insight: Baltimore had considered adding Nick Swisher or Adam LaRoche to fill the vacancy left by Mark Reynolds (signed with Cleveland) but now it seems Davis has become the team's best option at first base. Davis hammered a career-high 33 HR for the Orioles in 139 games last season.
Description: Outfielder Nate McLouth has signed a one-year deal with the Orioles according to MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli.
Insight: That gives Baltimore a starting outfield of McLouth in left, Adam Jones in center and Nick Markakis in right. McLouth performed very well in the second half of the year (.268, 7 HR compared to .140 with no homers in the first half) and was arguably the Orioles' best player during the Division Series against New York.
Description: The Orioles chose not to tender a contract to infielder Mark Reynolds.
Insight: Reynolds will become a free agent. He wasn't as prolific last season as he had been in recent years (23 HR in 135 games) but Reynolds' bat still has plenty of pop. If he finds a home in a favorable ballpark, Reynolds could be a threat to reach 30 homers in 2013.
Description: Baltimore lefthander Brian Matusz had surgery to repair a muscle tear in his abdomen last month according to MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli.
Insight: Matusz struggled as a starter (5-10, 5.42 ERA in 16 starts) but was able to find his niche in the Orioles' bullpen late in the season (1-0, 1.35 in 18 appearances). He should be ready for spring training.
Description: The Baltimore Orioles declined their option on 1B/3B Mark Reynolds.
Insight: Reynolds was the darling of fantasy baseball in 2009 when he combined power (44 HR, 102 RBI) with speed (24 SB). It has been a quick slide since that season. He'll probably find a home in 2013, but until he learns to make better contact, and starts running again, he's not likely to be a top fantasy option.
Description: Left fielder Nate McLouth hopes to be back with the Orioles in 2013.
Insight: McLouth was sensational during the playoffs, batting .308 with five RBI and making a number of excellent defensive plays in the outfield. We're guessing the Orioles would love to have McLouth back and the good thing is, they probably won't have to break the bank to make that happen. McLouth made less than $2 million this season and given his inconsistency in the past, he's not likely to earn a big pay day on the open market.
Description: Baltimore starter Jason Hammel isn't expected to undergo any additional knee operations during the offseason.
Insight: Though knee issues limited the 30-year-old to just three second half starts, Hammel came back to have a strong postseason, compiling a 3.18 ERA in two appearances. As long as Hammel doesn't suffer any setbacks, we'd expect him to open next season as the team's No. 1 starter.
Description: Orioles outfielder Nate McLouth was Baltimore's best hitter in the ALDS against the Yankees, picking up a hit in all five games and driving in three runs.
Insight: McLouth revived his career with Baltimore after batting just .203 in 566 at-bats with Atlanta and Pittsburgh from 2010 to May 2012. In 55 games with the Orioles, McLouth hit .268 with seven homers, 18 RBIs, 12 steals and a .777 OPS. The veteran also drove in two runs in Baltimore's wild-card playoff victory over Texas on Oct. 5.
Description: Orioles outfielder Adam Jones went 0-for-4 Friday in Baltimore's ALDS Game 5 loss to the Yankees and finished 2-for-23 (.087) in the series.
Insight: Jones had zero RBIs in his first playoff experience and was a major reason why the Orioles only scored 10 runs in the series.
Description: Baltimore shortstop J.J. Hardy is 6-for-14 (.429) against Yankees starter C.C. Sabathia with a homer and four RBI.
Insight: After a throughly disappointing regular season which included significant drops in homers, RBI, batting average and OPS Hardy has continued to struggle in the postseason, batting .167 in the ALDS. However, he's had a bit of success against the Yankees' ace and should be started on Friday.
Description: Baltimore closer Jim Johnson coughed up the lead Wednesday night by allowing a pinch-hit homer to Yankees DH Raul Ibanez in the bottom of the ninth.
Insight: It was Johnson's second subpar outing of the postseason. The American League saves leader will try to redeem himself Thursday as the Orioles attempt to force a Game 5.
Description: Orioles righthander Miguel Gonzalez continued his dominance of the Yankees Wednesday by allowing just one run and five hits over seven innings.
Insight: Gonzalez fanned eight New York hitters while walking none. He's now 2-0 with a 2.18 ERA in three starts against the Yankees this season.
Description: Baltimore third baseman Manny Machado became the second-youngest player to homer in a playoff game Wednesday against the Yankees.
Insight: Andruw Jones was the youngest, homering twice during the 1996 playoffs at the age of 19. Machado's home run was his only hit of the night and so far his only hit of the series.
Description: Baltimore outfielder Nate McLouth is just 2-for-16 (.125) in his career against Yankees starter Hiroki Kuroda.
Insight: McLouth has started every game for the Orioles in the postseason and has been effective with three hits and four RBI. This matchup, however, should be avoided.
Description: Baltimore shortstop J.J. Hardy is just 1-for-10 (.100) against Yankees starter Hiroki Kuroda. The one hit was a home run.
Insight: Hardy had a throughly disappointing regular season, dropping significantly in homers, RBI, batting average and OPS. He's 1-for-7 in the ALDS with zero homers and zero RBI.
Description: Baltimore manager Buck Showalter expects Mark Reynolds to be in the lineup Sunday for Game 1 of the ALDS against the Yankees. Reynolds was hit in the hand on Friday in the Orioles' wild card playoff victory over Texas.
Insight: Reynolds was just 15-for-89 (.169) with 28 strikeouts in his last 23 games of the regular season and he went 0-for-3 Friday. Perhaps facing New York will allow him to heat up again -- Reynolds hit .364 with nine home runs and 17 RBIs in nine games from Aug. 31 to Sept. 8, with seven of those round-trippers coming against the Yankees.
Description: Yankees starter CC Sabathia is going to have to change his approach against Orioles outfielder Adam Jones if he wants to have success in Game 1 of the ALDS on Sunday. Jones is 14-for-41 (.341) with three homers and 10 RBIs in his career against Sabathia.
Insight: The addition of an extra wild card and subsequent one-game playoff made it possible for division foes to square off in the ALDS. As a result, Jones will get to face a pitcher he has often succeeded against.
Description: Orioles righthander Jason Hammel has been chosen to start Sunday's ALDS Game 1 versus New York.
Insight: Hammel (8-6, 3.43 ERA) hasn't pitched since September 11th because of a knee injury so it will be interesting to see if he shows any rust on Sunday. He's 0-1 with 14 strikeouts in 16 innings this year against the Yankees.
Description: Orioles starter Joe Saunders kept the Rangers' offense in check Friday by allowing just six hits and one run over 5 2/3 innings of work.
Insight: Friday was Saunders' first postseason win in five appearances. Saunders is now 4-3 with a 3.40 ERA in seven starts since being acquired by Baltimore in late August.
Description: Baltimore shortstop J.J. Hardy picked up two hits Friday night in a 5-1 win over Texas.
Insight: Hardy got things going early with an RBI single in the first inning. He singled again in the sixth and would later score on an Adam Jones sacrifice fly. Hardy and the O's open the ALDS at home against the Yankees on Sunday night.
Description: Baltimore first baseman Mark Reynolds should be available for Friday's game against Texas after X-rays on his left foot came back negative.
Insight: Reynolds (.221, 23 HR, 69 RBI) injured the foot in Wednesday's regular season finale versus Tampa Bay. The Orioles are hoping Reynolds will be able to break out of his current 0-for-16 slump Friday in the team's most important game of the season.
Description: Lefthander Joe Saunders will make the start for the Orioles Friday when they face Texas in a one game playoff to determine which team will play the Yankees in the Division Series.
Insight: Aside from his first game with the team back in August, Saunders (9-13, 4.07 ERA) has been rock solid for Baltimore, collecting a 3.66 ERA over his last six appearances. He's 3-7 with a 6.48 ERA in 11 career starts versus the Rangers.
Description: Baltimore closer Jim Johnson finished the 2012 season as the major league's saves leader, collecting 51 saves in 54 opportunities.
Insight: Johnson has been especially dominant as of late, holding opponents scoreless over his last 11 appearances. His 51 saves are the most by any pitcher in the major leagues since 2008 when Angels righthander Francisco Rodriguez (now on Milwaukee) finished the season with a league-best 62 saves in 69 chances.
Description: Orioles starter Miguel Gonzalez kept Baltimore's AL East hopes alive by outdueling James Shields in a 1-0 win over the Rays Tuesday. Gonzalez struck out seven with two walks and allowed just two hits in 6 1/3 innings.
Insight: Gonzalez is 9-4 with a 3.36 ERA in 93 2/3 innings since joining Baltimore's rotation but he's been even better in his last 11 starts, going 7-2 with a 2.76 ERA.
Description: Orioles DH Chris Davis has homered in five straight games, the first of which was a multi-homer effort.
Insight: Davis is carrying Baltimore's offense on his back down the stretch, hitting an impressive .333 with nine homers in September. He has finally reached his potential as a big-time masher, belting 32 homers and counting with two games left.
Description: Orioles DH Chris Davis has four homers and nine RBIs in his last three games. He's hitting .337 in his last 23 games and has an eight-game hitting streak.
Insight: The Orioles have stuck with Davis (.269, 30 HRs, 81 RBIs) through his massive slumps much like they did Mark Reynolds and both players have rewarded that faith with monster games in key spots down the stretch.
Description: Orioles catcher Matt Wieters is hitless in seven at-bats against Boston lefty Felix Doubront and has struck out five times.
Insight: He's tied his career high for homers (22) and set a personal best with 82 RBI, but he hasn't hit a homer since Sept. 17 or knocked in a run over the last five games. Sit him on Saturday.
Description: Orioles catcher Matt Wieters 5-for-7 (.714) with four extra base hits against Boston starter Aaron Cook.
Insight: He's tied his career high for homers (22) and set a personal best with 82 RBI. It's been a solid year from Wieters that should only get better over the next few years. He's batted .325 over the past four week and is a must start on Friday.
Description: Orioles DH Chris Davis exploded for two homers and five RBI Wednesday in a win over the Blue Jays.
Insight: Wednesday was Davis' second multi-home run game of the season. He has also boosted his batting average from .258 to .267 over the last week thanks to a six-game hitting streak.
Description: Orioles catcher Matt Wieters is hitless in 15 career at-bats against Blue Jays right-hander Carlos Villanueva.
Insight: He's tied his career high for homers (22) and set a personal best with 82 RBI. It's been a solid year from Wieters that should only get better over the next few years. He's batted .333 over the past four week, but Wednesday is not a good matchup for the Orioles catcher.
Description: Baltimore DH Chris Davis is 5-for-8 (.625) against Toronto starter Carlos Villanueva with two homers and a 2.167 OPS.
Insight: Davis has posted career high numbers in at-bats (490), runs (66), hits (130), HR (26), RBI (72) walks (36) and strikeouts (159). Wednesday's matchup could add to those totals.
Description: Orioles center fielder Adam Jones used a four-hit effort to carry his team to victory Monday afternoon against Toronto.
Insight: Jones (.292) also had a stolen base during the game. His two-run shot in the bottom of the fourth was his 32nd home run of the season, a new career-high for the 27-year-old.
Description: Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy is 2-for-18 (.111) in his matchups against Blue Jays starter Ricky Romero with eight srtrikouts and an ugly .325 OPS.
Insight: Hardy has improved his post All-Star break numbers (.244, 9 HR, 33 RBI), but he's not going to reach last year's very productive level. In 2011 he hit .269 with 30 HR and 80 RBI, to date this year he's banged out just 21 homers with 66 RBI and is averaging .232. Avoid this Monday matchup.
Description: Orioles catcher Matt Wieters is batting .208 (5-for-24) with just one RBI and nine strikeouts against Blue Jays second game starter Ricky Romero.
Insight: Wieters has improved since the All-Star break. He's tied his career high for homers (22) and set a personal best with 82 RBI. It's been a solid year from Wieters that should only get better over the next few years. Monday's matchup, however, is not a good one for the Orioles catcher.
Description: Baltimore DH Chris Davis is 4-for-8 against Toronto starter Henderson Alvarez with a homer and a 1.556 OPS.
Insight: Davis has posted career high numbers in at-bats (478), runs (65), hits (126), HR (26), RBI (72) walks (35) and strikeouts (156). Monday's matchup could add to those totals.
Description: There's no denying Orioles starter Chris Tillman any longer. The right-hander has been quality in eight of his 13 starts this season in going 8-2 with a 3.08 ERA.
Insight: Tillman fired six innings of one-run ball and allowed just six hits against Boston Sunday in a no decision. He should be owned in all leagues.
Description: Baltimore DH Jim Thome hit a ground-rule double in the 12th inning Saturday to break a 6-6 tie as the Orioles went on to beat Boston by a score of 9-6.
Insight: With the win, the Orioles improved to an astonishing 16-0 in extra innings this season. The double was Thome's only hit of the game.
Description: Baltimore second baseman Robert Andino could be available for Sunday's game if he passes all his concussion tests.
Insight: Andino missed Saturday's game after injuring his head Friday against the Red Sox. He's hitting a mere .213 for the season and doesn't present any immediate fantasy value.
Description: Orioles catcher Matt Wieters is batting .333 (20-for-60) with five homers and 17 RBIs in September.
Insight: Wieters went 0-for-7 Tuesday in an extra-inning game against Seattle but he's had a multi-hit game in three of his last four, including a two-hit, three-RBI effort Friday against Boston.
Description: Orioles starter Miguel Gonzalez shut down the Red Sox Friday, scattering seven hits and allowing two runs in 6 1/3 innings to pick up win No. 7.
Insight: Gonzalez has been impressive in his rookie season, going 7-4 with a 3.52 ERA and 1.27 WHIP. Four of his wins have come against division rivals New York and Boston.
Description: Baltimore outfielder Adam Jones has struck out in 40-percent of his official at-bats against Red Sox starter Jon Lester. In 40 at-bats, Jones is hitting .225 with just a .576 OPS.
Insight: Jones (.286, 30 HR, 77 RBI) is having the best year of his career. He struggles in August, but he's putting together a solid September with an .873 OPS. Friday, however, is not a favorable matchup.
Description: Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy is 5-for-11 (.455) in his matchups with Boston lefty Jon Lester, including three extra base hits and a 1.500 OPS.
Insight: Hardy has improved his post All-Star break numbers (.254, 9 HR, 33 RBI), but he's not going to reach last year's very productive level without a monster September. In 2011 he hit .269 with 30 HR and 80 RBI, to date this year he's banged out just 21 homers with 66 RBI. Friday is a favorable matchup.
Description: Orioles catcher Matt Wieters is not in Wednesday night's starting lineup.
Insight: Wieters caught all 18 innings Tuesday night in Baltimore's marathon victory over the Mariners. Taylor Teagarden (.152, 2 HR, 8 RBI) will take over behind the plate for the Orioles.
Description: Orioles top pitching prospect Dylan Bundy has been called up from Double-A Bowie.
Insight: The plan was for Bundy (9-3, 2.08 ERA, 119 Ks in 103 2/3 IP ) to pitch in the fall instructional league, but the plan has obviously changed. He'll likely pitch out of the bullpen and not have much fantasy value the rest of this season. For keeper leagues, however, here is a chance to claim a talented young pitcher.
Description: Baltimore righthander Jason Hammel (knee) doesn't have a new injury, according to Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com.
Insight: Hammel (8-6, 3.43 ERA) left Wednesday after experiencing pain in his knee and he underwent an MRI Thursday. He could return soon but if you need immediate help to win pitching categories or are in a head-to-head league you might want to pick up another option.
Description: Orioles catcher Matt Wieters is sitting out Thursday's series finale against the Rays.
Insight: Wieters (.247, 19 HR, 74 RBI) is 5-for-6 in the series with two doubles and three RBI. His batting average has gone up eight points in that span.
Description: Baltimore third baseman Wilson Betemit has a strong history against Rays starter Jeremy Hellickson. In 13 prior at bats, Betemit is hitting .385 versus the Tampa Bay righthander.
Insight: Betemit's role has been limited in recent weeks due to Manny Machado's emergence, but if you still have him on your roster, he could be a smart fantasy play on Thursday.
Description: Baltimore outfielder Nick Markakis had successful surgery to repair his broken left thumb on Tuesday.
Insight: Markakis (.298, 13 HR, 54 RBI) will miss at least the rest of the regular season, though the Orioles haven't ruled him out for the playoffs if they make it that far.
Description: Baltimore righthander Jason Hammel reinjured his left knee and had to leave the game Tuesday night against Tampa Bay.
Insight: Hammel (8-6, 3.43 ERA) allowed one run in three and two thirds innings before exiting. There's a strong chance that Hammel is done for the year.
Description: Baltimore catcher Matt Wieters is 4-for-7 (.571) with a pair of homers and three RBI against Tampa Bay lefty Matt Moore.
Insight: Wieters (.239, 19 HR, 71 RBI) was much better earlier in the season, but has struggled of late batting just .203 with a .634 OPS over the past four weeks.
Description: Baltimore outfielder Adam Jones needs to be in your starting lineup Sunday afternoon versus New York. He's an excellent hitter versus Yankees starter Freddy Garcia.
Insight: Jones (.288, 29 HR, 74 RBI) has achieved a .400 lifetime average against the veteran righthander. With a hit Sunday, Jones will extend his current hitting streak to eight games. So far, he has hit .367 during the streak.
Description: Baltimore DH Chris Davis has already smacked a career-high 24 homers this season but we're guessing he won't be able to leave the yard Sunday against Yankees starter Freddy Garcia. Davis has only managed one hit versus the righthander in 11 previous at bats.
Insight: It might be tempting given how well the Orioles have played recently but Davis (.256) won't be a strong play on Sunday.
Description: Orioles infielder Mark Reynolds smacked his ninth homer in his last nine games Saturday night in a win over the Yankees. Home run No. 10 could be on the way this afternoon when he faces New York righthander Freddy Garcia.
Insight: Reynolds has gone deep off of Garcia twice in 15 lifetime at bats and carries a .400 career average against the veteran. He's a must-start today.
Description: Baltimore rightfielder Nick Markakis has a broken thumb and will miss at least six weeks, according to Richard Justice of MLB.com.
Insight: Markakis was hit in the hand by CC Sabathia Saturday night. The outfielder's regular season is over and he's unlikely to return for the playoffs if Baltimore makes it. While this is a major loss for the Orioles, fantasy owners will also lament the absence of Markakis -- the outfielder hit .335 with five homers, 28 RBIs and a 14/20 K/BB ratio in 54 games after returning from a broken hamate bone in his hand.
Description: Baltimore rightfielder Nick Markakis left Saturday's game against New York after getting hit in the hand by a pitch from CC Sabathia.
Insight: We'll know how serious the injury is after the X-rays come back. Markakis (.298, 13 HR, 54 RBI) had been 1-for-2 in three plate appearances before the injury.
Description: Baltimore catcher Matt Wieters is not in the starting lineup Saturday against New York.
Insight: Wieters (.238, 19 HR, 70 RBI) followed up an impressive three RBI outing Thursday night by going 0-for-4 on Friday. Taylor Teagarden will get the start behind home plate for the second-place Orioles.
Description: Though Orioles outfielder Nick Markakis is a .310 hitter with an .870 OPS in 135 plate appearances against left-handed pitchers this season, he's never had much success against Yankees starter CC Sabathia.
Insight: Markakis is hitting .333 with 28 RBIs and an .875 OPS in 53 games since returning from a broken hamate bone in his hand, but he's just 12-for-51 (.235) against Sabathia.
Description: Orioles center fielder Adam Jones has rediscovered his spring stroke as of late, and the presence of Yankees starter CC Sabathia shouldn't stop you from starting Jones Saturday.
Insight: Jones has five homers and nine RBIs in his last 11 games and he has a round-tripper in three straight games. Sabathia has never been able to contain him -- Jones is 13-for-38 with three homers and 10 RBIs against the big lefty.
Description: Orioles starter Jason Hammel returned from a lengthy absence to fire five innings of one-run ball Thursday against the Yankees.
Insight: Hammel had arthroscopic knee surgery in mid-July. He scattered six hits, walked two and struck out six Thursday while staying in the game after taking a line drive off his elbow. He should be owned in most formats.
Description: Orioles first baseman Mark Reynolds has seven homers and 16 RBIs in his last seven games.
Insight: Reynolds has three multi-homer games in that span, all against the Yankees. You might want to add the infielder; the Orioles play three more games against New York this weekend.
Description: Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy likes seeing Blue Jays right-hander Brandon Morrow on the hill. He's 5-for-12 in his career with a pair of homers and a 1.417 OPS.
Insight: Hardy has improved his post All-Star break numbers (.247, 6 HR, 24 RBI), but he's not going to reach last year's very productive level without a monster September. In 2011 he hit .269 with 30 HR and 80 RBI, to date this year he's banged out just 18 homers with 57 RBI. Wednesday, however, is a favorable matchup.
Description: Orioles first baseman Mark Reynolds has five homers and 11 RBIs in his last five games.
Insight: Reynolds had two multi-homer games in Baltimore's series against the Yankees over the weekend and, after an 0-for-4 game Monday, went 3-for-4 with another homer and four RBIs Tuesday at Toronto. Reynolds has a .295 average, nine homers and a 31/21 K/BB since Aug. 1.
Description: Orioles starter Zach Britton won his fourth straight start with seven scoreless innings Tuesday against the Blue Jays.
Insight: Britton is a talented young lefty who was 5-2 with a 2.35 in his first 10 big league starts a season ago, but he finished up 6-9 with a 6.25 ERA in his final 18 and then had his 2012 season delayed by a shoulder impingement. The left-hander is 4-0 with a 0.94 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP in his last four starts and can be started in mixed leagues if the matchup is right.
Description: According to the Associated Press, Orioles starter Jason Hammel (knee) will rejoin the rotation Thursday against the Yankees.
Insight: Hammel had arthroscopic knee surgery in mid-July. The right-hander should be owned in all formats, as he could make a big difference down the stretch for pitching poor fantasy squads.
Description: Baltimore catcher Matt Wieters is hitless in 12 career at-bats against Blue Jays right-hander Carlos Villanueva.
Insight: Wieters has struggled since the break, hitting just .226 with a .694 OPS. Fantasy owners wish they could find the "Wieters" who swung the bat in April (.279, 6 HR, 15 RBI, .937 OPS). Sit him on Tuesday.
Description: Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy loves seeing Blue Jays hurler Carlos Villanueva on the hill. He's 7-for-12 in his career with four extra base hits and a 1.699 OPS.
Insight: Hardy has improved his post All-Star break numbers (.243, 6 HR, 23 RBI), but he's not going to reach last year's very productive level without a monster September. In 2011 he hit .269 with 30 HR and 80 RBI, to date this year he's banged out just 18 homers with 56 RBI. Tuesday, however, is a favorable matchup.
Description: Joe Saunders's second start for Baltimore went much better than his first. In six and a third scoreless innings, the recently-acquired lefthander gave up only three hits, walking a pair and striking out two.
Insight: Saunders actually had a perfect game going until Adeiny Hechavarria broke up the party with a two-out single in the bottom of the sixth inning. Saunders is now 7-11 for the year with a 4.26 ERA in 23 starts.
Description: Orioles first baseman Mark Reynolds clobbered two homers Sunday in an 8-3 win over the Yankees.
Insight: He's 5-for-11 with four long balls and seven RBI in his last three games. Reynolds (.228, 16 HR, 49 RBI) is definitely feeling it right now, though Yankee Stadium's short dimensions probably played at least some role in his success this weekend.
Description: Orioles starter Chris Tillman left Sunday's start with a right elbow injury.
Insight: Tillman has been quality in six of his first 10 starts this season, but he allowed two runs in three innings Sunday against the Yankees before exiting with elbow stiffness.
Description: Orioles center fielder Adam Jones has just one multi-hit game in his last 18 games, and he has an unfavorable matchup Sunday against Phil Hughes of the Yankees.
Insight: Jones posted a .264 average and .684 OPS in August and is just 5-for-28 (.179) with five strikeouts against Hughes.
Description: Orioles outfielder Nick Markakis is batting .337 with five homers, 24 RBIs and an .888 OPS in 47 games since returning from a broken hamate bone in his hand.
Insight: Markakis has a favorable matchup Sunday against Yankees starter Phil Hughes. The Orioles outfielder is 12-for-36 (.333) with a homer and six RBIs against Hughes.
Description: According to Eduardo Encina of the Baltimore Sun, Orioles starter Jason Hammel (knee) threw five scoreless innings for Class-A Frederick Saturday, striking out seven and walking one.
Insight: Hammel had arthroscopic knee surgery in July. The right-hander should be stashed in all formats, as he should be able to return within the next 10 days.
Description: Orioles third baseman Wilson Betemit has been activated from the 15-day disabled list for Saturday's game against New York after recovering from a partially torn ligament in right wrist.
Insight: Betemit doesn't figure to play much with youngster Manny Machado starting at third base. Betemit has very little fantasy value at this point of the season.
Description: Orioles starter Miguel Gonzalez outdueled New York righthander Hiroki Kuroda Friday night in a battle of AL East contenders. Gonzalez tossed seven shutout innings for Baltimore, striking out nine and walking just one.
Insight: Gonzalez is now 2-0 this year at Yankee Stadium. He's 3-1 over his last four starts with a 2.42 ERA.
Description: Baltimore starter Zach Britton has been terrific over his last three starts, winning all three.
Insight: Britton had his best start of the season Thursday, striking out 10 and walking none in eight one-run innings against the White Sox. Britton was demoted to make room for Randy Wolf, but he's likely to make his next start since the rosters expand in two days.
Description: Baltimore DH Chris Davis is sitting out Thursday's series finale against the White Sox.
Insight: Davis hasn't produced a strong average this season (.257) but he has already established new career-bests in home runs (23), RBI (64) and hits (105).
Description: Baltimore catcher Matt Wieters will be on the sidelines for Thursday's game against the White Sox.
Insight: Wieters is hitting a disappointing .222 over his last two months. Still, it's tough to recommend anyone else with so few good catchers in the game today. Taylor Tegarden (.086, 1 HR, 3 RBI) will get the nod behind the plate for the Orioles.
Description: Orioles prospect Dylan Bundy won't be called up to the majors when rosters expand on September 1st.
Insight: The plan is for Bundy (9-3, 2.08 ERA in 23 minor league starts in 2012) to play in Baltimore's fall instructional league when Double-A Bowie's season comes to a close. It looks like the 19-year-old is on pace to make his major league debut sometime in 2013.
Description: Joe Saunders struggled in his first start with the Orioles Wednesday night. In five and a third innings, the 31-year-old lefthander gave up seven runs (six of them earned) and 10 hits as Baltimore fell 8-1 to the AL Central-leading White Sox.
Insight: After putting together a strong opening half to the 2012 campaign (4-5, 3.44 ERA), Saunders has struggled to stay above water since the All-Star break (2-6, 5.96).
Description: Orioles center fielder Adam Jones has just five homers in 43 games since the All-Star break, though he's batting .286 during that span.
Insight: Jones homered Tuesday against the White Sox, his first since July 27. We'll know what to expect next season if Jones gets off to another torrid start -- the outfielder is a first-half player, someone to draft and then trade around June.
Description: Orioles starter Chris Tillman has moved into the mixed league discussion after turning in a dominant outing Tuesday against the White Sox. Tillman held Chicago scoreless over seven innings and allowed just one hit.
Insight: Tillman (7-2, 3.26) has been quality in six of 10 starts this season, and he has beaten division leaders Texas and Chicago in his last two starts. He'll face another in the New York Yankees his next time out.
Description: Orioles DH Chris Davis is on the sidelines for Monday's series opener versus the White Sox.
Insight: Davis (.256, 23 HR, 64 RBI) has gone deep five times over his past six games but he is also incredibly streaky so don't expect the power surge to last forever.
Description: Orioles center fielder Adam Jones has three homers among his four hits against White Sox starter Francisco Liriano in 12 career at-bats.
Insight: Despite an unproductive August, Jones is still having the best season of his career due to a monster spring. He's batting .290 with 75 runs, 24 HR. 65 RBI and a .843 OPS and should set career highs in all five categories. Start him in this favorable matchup.
Description: The Orioles traded for left-handed pitcher Joe Saunders on Sunday. The Diamondbacks are receiving reliever Matt Lindstrom and a player to be named later.
Insight: Saunders (6-10, 4.22 ERA) is expected to make his Baltimore debut Tuesday night versus the White Sox.
Description: Righthander Jake Arrieta was called up from Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday.
Insight: Arrieta struggled in the majors earlier in the year, producing a 6.13 ERA in 18 starts. It doesn't look like Arrieta will start for the Orioles, meaning that he is probably not a realistic fantasy option.
Description: Orioles outfielder Nick Markakis is hitting a dismal .100 in 10 career at bats against Toronto righthander Henderson Alvarez.
Insight: Markakis has been on a hot streak recently (.419 over his last eight games) but Sunday doesn't look like a very favorable matchup for the Baltimore right fielder.
Description: A report from MASN's Roch Kubatko suggests top pitching prospect Dylan Bundy could be promoted to the major leagues when Baltimore expands its roster at the start of September.
Insight: Bundy, who was promoted to Double-A earlier in the month, is 8-3 with a 2.01 ERA in 22 minor league starts in 2012. He likely wouldn't hold much fantasy appeal at first but Bundy could be worth holding onto in keeper leagues.
Description: Baltimore optioned righthander Tommy Hunter down to Double-A Bowie on Friday.
Insight: Hunter (4-8, 5.95 ERA) has been going back and forth between the majors and minors all season so this is hardly a surprise, especially after giving up eight runs on eight hits in his last outing Wednesday versus Texas. Expect Hunter to be back with the big club in September when the rosters expand.
Description: Orioles catcher Matt Wieters is hitless in 10 at-bats against Blue Jays hurler Carlos Villanueva. He's also dealing with a bruised right shoulder.
Insight: Wieters (.238, 17 HR, 62 RBI) appears as if he'll break last season's personal best of 68 RBI, but he's down in runs scored, batting average and OPS. He's batting just .220 since June 1 and .129 over the past two weeks. Sit him on Friday.
Description: Baltimore shortstop J.J. Hardy is 6-for-9 (.667) in his career against Toronto starter Carlos Villanueva with three extra base hits and a 1.922 OPS.
Insight: Hardy's production this season is significantly down from 2011, in part due to his batting just .228 over the past four weeks with an OPS of .612. Friday, however, is a favorable matchup.
Description: Orioles center fielder Adam Jones has managed just one hit, a single, in seven official at-bats against Texas lefty Derek Holland with four strikeouts.
Insight: Jones has kept his batting average up over the past four weeks, but has lost his long ball stroke with just one home run in the past 26 games. Wednesday isn't likely the day he breaks out of his slump in this unfavorable matchup.
Description: Baltimore right-hander Jason Hammel (knee) will throw a simulated game Friday at Camden Yards, according to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun.
Insight: Hammel threw 41 pitches in a side session Tuesday and also took fielding practice. If he doesn't have a setback Friday, he could start a minor league rehab assignment within the next 10 days.
Description: Orioles center fielder Adam Jones has managed just one hit, a single, in 12 official at-bats against Texas right-hander Scott Feldman.
Insight: Jones has kept his batting average up over the past four weeks, but has lost his long ball stroke with just one home run in the past 25 games. Tuesday isn't likely the day he breaks out of his slump in this unfavorable matchup.
Description: Baltimore shortstop J.J. Hardy is getting the night off Monday against Texas.
Insight: After hitting .314 in May, Hardy limped to a .193 mark in June, slumped to .184 in July and now he's batting just .239 in August. It looks like Hardy is headed nowhere fast. Don't let the struggling shortstop bring your fantasy team down with him.
Description: Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy is an ugly 2-for-27 (.074) with seven strikeouts against Texas starter Ryan Dempster.
Insight: One year after hitting 30 homers and knocking in 80 runs, Hardy has been a huge disappointment, batting just .226 with 16 HR, 49 RBI and a .645 OPS. The OPS is 156 points below last year's production level.
Description: Sunday would not be a day to start Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy. He's 3-for-20 (.150) with zero RBIs against Sunday's starter Doug Fister of the Tigers.
Insight: One year after hitting 30 bombs, Hardy has been a massive disappointment, batting under .200 in three of the five months this season. He has a .238 average and two homers in August and a poor matchup Sunday, so sit him down.
Description: Orioles outfielder Nick Markakis has four hits in his last eight at-bats and he has a favorable matchup Sunday against Tigers starter Doug Fister.
Insight: Markakis had excellent career numbers against Rick Porcello yesterday and he collected two hits and a walk, so get him in the lineup again Sunday -- Markakis is 7-for-17 with a homer and seven RBIs against Fister.
Description: In limited at-bats against Tigers starter Rick Porcello, Orioles outfielder Nick Markakis has performed well, going 5-for-11 (.455) with a double and a homer.
Insight: Markakis has cooled off as of late, going 5-for-30 (.167) in his last eight games following a 26-game stretch in which he hit .362 with four homers, 12 RBIs and a 6/8 K/BB ratio. However, he had two doubles Friday and will see Porcello Saturday, so get him in the lineup.
Description: Orioles center fielder Adam Jones can barely put his bat on the ball when he faces Detroit Tigers ace Justin Verlander. In 18 official at-bats, Jones has one hit (.056), a single, and has struck out six times.
Insight: Jones was a fantasy star in April and May batting .313 with 16 HR and 34 RBI, but since June 1 has batted .277 with five homers and 20 RBI. He's in a bad matchup on Friday and should be on your bench.
Description: Orioles starter Chris Tillman has served up nine earned runs on 12 hits over 10 1/3 innings in his last two starts (both losses) after winning five of his first six starts this season.
Insight: Tillman may have improved after posting an ERA over 5.50 in his first 36 big league starts, but he's still just an AL-only option.
Description: Baltimore right fielder Nick Markakis has been terrible in his career against Clay Buchholz. In 27 at bats, Markakis has recorded just three hits against the Boston righthander.
Insight: Markakis (.283, 13 HR, 40 RBI) enters Thursday just two for his last 21. Make sure he's not in your starting lineup tonight.
Description: Orioles third baseman Wilson Betemit is out for Wednesday's game against the Red Sox because of a sore right wrist. He's expected to have an MRI on Thursday morning.
Insight: Betemit's fantasy stock went down the tubes as soon as Manny Machado made it to the majors last week. Even if he's healthy, don't expect him to play a large role in Baltimore's offense as the season progresses.
Description: Orioles starter Wei-Yin Chen rebounded from a rough outing his last time out to hold the Red Sox to one run on nine hits in six innings Tuesday.
Insight: Chen (11-7, 3.70 ERA) allowed seven earned to the Royals his last time out, but that was the only start in his past seven where he allowed more than three earned.
Description: Orioles outfielder Nick Markakis is hitting .500 in 12 lifetime at bats against Kansas City's Bruce Chen.
Insight: Markakis comes into today's action hitless for the series (0-for-11) but that doesn't hide the fact that this is still a terrific matchup for the 28-year-old right fielder.
Description: Orioles center fielder Adam Jones has pulverized Royals starter Bruce Chen when they have gone against eachother in the past. He's a .462 lifetime hitter against the Kansas City lefthander.
Insight: Jones (.297, 24 HR, 58 RBI) has recorded just one RBI in his last 12 games but we're guessing he'll have better luck Sunday against Chen (8-9, 5.51 ERA).
Description: Orioles catcher Matt Wieters is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against Kansas City.
Insight: Wieters (.245, 16 HR, 58 RBI) looked like he might go on a hot streak after going 7-for-14 during a three-game stretch earlier in the week but since then his bat has cooled off. He hasn't recorded a hit in his last two games.
Description: Baltimore corner infielder Mark Reynolds is taking the night off Saturday against Kansas City.
Insight: Reynolds (.210) hit his ninth home run of the season the other night against the Mariners but that still isn't enough to justify starting him on a consistent basis in fantasy.
Description: Baltimore third baseman Manny Machado announced his presence with a monster effort Friday night against the Royals. In just his second game in the major leagues, the 20-year-old bashed a pair of homers and finished the evening with four RBI.
Insight: Not bad for a guy who had never played a game above Double-A until Thursday. If he keeps this up, Wilson Betemit (.264, 12 HR, 37 RBI) probably won't be getting many starts at third base the rest of this season.
Description: The Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy has seen very little success against Royals right-hander Luke Hochevar batting just .158 (3-for-22) without an extra base hit.
Insight: Hardy is never going to be a high average guy, but if he showed the same power as last year (30 HR) no fantasy owner would be upset. He's hit only 16 homers to date and his OPS is down to .657. Sit him on Friday.
Description: Baltimore center fielder Adam Jones is a career .400 hitter (8-for-20) against Royals starter Luke Hochevar with five extra base hits.
Insight: After a hot start, Jones faded a bit at the All-Star break, and while his batting average has returned to early season levels, his power has not. He's homerless in August after hitting 24 through the end of July. He's played 112 games and might need a couple of rest days, but hopefully not on Friday with theis favorable matchup.
Description: Baltimore's Manny Machado will start at third base and bat last in his major league debut Thursday night against Kansas City.
Insight: Machado's potential is off the charts but he's never played a game above Double-A ball and even there he was only hitting .266. There'll be a big learning curve for Machado during his first stint in the majors, so don't expect results right away. With that said, he could be worth holding onto if you're playing in a keeper league.
Description: Baltimore third baseman Wilson Betemit won't start Thursday night against the Royals.
Insight: Betemit (.263, 12 HR, 37 RBI) will sit in favor of Manny Machado, who is making his major league debut on Thursday. Machado is likely to see most of the action at third base going forward, so expect Betemit to lose most of his fantasy value.
Description: The Baltimore Orioles will promote top pitching prospect Dylan Bundy to Double-A Bowie Thursday, MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli reports.
Insight: Bundy, the No. 4 overall pick in last year's draft, went 6-3 with a 2.98 ERA and 63 strikeouts in 54 1/3 innings at Class A Advanced Frederick after not allowing an earned run and holding opponents to just five hits in 30 innings at Low A. The Orioles promoted top position prospect Manny Machado from Double-A to the big leagues Thursday and Bundy could follow if the team is still in the playoff race come September.
Description: The Orioles will promote top position prospect Manny Machado Thursday to take over the starting third base job in Baltimore, according to Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com.
Insight: Machado has played mostly at shortstop at Double-A Bowie this season but he'll be used at third with J.J. Hardy entrenched at shortstop with the O's. He only has AL-only value at this time.
Description: Baltimore Orioles outfielder Nick Markakis hit his 12th homer as part of a two-hit day Wednesday against the Mariners.
Insight: Markakis has been a new hitter since he returned from a broken hamate bone. In 26 games since rejoining the lineup, the outfielder is hitting .362 with four homers, 12 RBIs and a 6/8 K/BB in 116 at-bats.
Description: Baltimore catcher Matt Wieters had five RBIs Wednesday against Seattle, one day after going 3-for-6 with two solo homers.
Insight: Wieters is streaky and right now the needle is pointing in the right direction. In August, the Orioles catcher is hitting .333 with two homers and eight RBIs.
Description: Orioles starter Chris Tillman has won five of his six starts this season, including four straight.
Insight: Tillman shut down Seattle Monday, allowing one run on five hits to improve to 5-1 with a 2.38 ERA. Though this likely won't last, Tillman is worth an add when he's pitching against weaker offenses like Seattle.
Description: Righthander Miguel Gonzalez tossed seven shutout frames Sunday in the Orioles' 1-0 win over the Rays.
Insight: That run didn't come across until the 10th inning so Gonzalez did not factor in the decision. He's 3-2 with a 4.29 ERA since becoming a full-time starter back in early July.
Description: Baltimore center fielder Adam Jones has gotten off to a good start to the second half of the season, hitting .314 with four homers and 13 RBIs in 22 games. However, he has never had success against Rays starter David Price.
Insight: You might want to leave Jones in the lineup since he's gone 5-for-12 in his last three games, but he's not likely to have a big day against Price, against whom he is 5-for-26 with two RBIs.
Description: In 22 games since returning from the disabled list, Orioles outfielder Nick Markakis is batting .358 with two homers and seven RBIs, and he has hit Rays lefty David Price well in his career.
Insight: Markakis is 9-for-29 (.310) against Price so you shouldn't remove him from the lineup Sunday.
Description: Baltimore starter Zach Britton got pummeled Wednesday against New York. The Yankees torched him for seven runs on seven hits before manager Buck Showalter took him out with two outs in the bottom of the third inning.
Insight: The Orioles are pretty desperate for starting pitching right now but if Britton (1-1, 8.35 ERA) turns in another performance like the one he had on Wednesday, he won't stay in the rotation for very long.
Description: The Orioles got crushed Wednesday against New York but shortstop J.J. Hardy certainly did his part. The former All-Star cranked out three hits including a home run in the seventh inning.
Insight: Sure the .228 batting average isn't what fantasy owners had in mind but can you really complain about a fantasy shortstop with 15 home runs?
Description: Despite being activated from the disabled list on Tuesday, second baseman Robert Andino will not start Wednesday against the Yankees. He didn't start Tuesday's game either.
Insight: Andino (.230, 5 HR, 21 RBIs) was expected to take over the starting second baseman postion upon his return but for now it looks like manager Buck Showalter will continue to go with the hot hand, Omar Quintanilla (.406 in 11 games since coming over from the Mets midseason).
Description: Baltimore center fielder Adam Jones has been useless in his career against New York's Phil Hughes. He's hitting .160 in 25 lifetime matchups against him.
Insight: Jones (.291, 24 HRs, 57 RBIs) opened 2012 batting .314 with 16 HRs and 34 RBIs over his first two months but since then he has hit just .268 with eight jacks and 23 RBIs. Look for him to struggle Wednesday afternoon against Hughes (10-8, 4.08 ERA).
Description: Baltimore 3B/OF/DH Chris Davis hit a grand slam Tuesday against the Yankees for his 18th homer of the season.
Insight: Davis is closing in on his career-high 21 homers, set in 2009. The slugger has provided owners with three homers and 10 RBIs in his last six games. He won't hit for a high average and he has a propensity for going into long slumps, but he will contribute with his pop.
Description: Orioles starter Chris Tillman allowed five runs (four earned) in the bottom of the first inning Tuesday against the Yankees, but he managed to toss five innings to earn his fourth win.
Insight: Tillman is better suited for AL-only leagues. Mixed league owners should stay away even though Tillman has a 4-1 record in five starts.
Description: Baltimore DH Jim Thome has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with a herniated disk.
Insight: Thome has just two homers in 79 plate appearances since joining the Orioles, and he'll likely miss the next few weeks if not longer. Fantasy owners can release the veteran.
Description: Orioles outfielder Adam Jones is batting .290 with four homers and 13 RBIs in 18 games since the All-Star break, but he has struggled in his career against New York starter Ivan Nova, whom he'll face Tuesday.
Insight: Jones is 5-for-19 (.263) with zero homers and five strikeouts against Nova. Don't take him out of the lineup unless you have better options, but don't expect big things Tuesday either.
Description: Orioles outfielder Nick Markakis is batting .364 in 18 games since he returned from the disabled list and he has a favorable matchup to look forward to Tuesday against the Yankees.
Insight: Markakis is 7-for-19 (.368) with three doubles and a homer against Yankees starter Ivan Nova, so he should be in all fantasy lineups tonight.
Description: Baltimore catcher Matt Wieters is an excellent fantasy play Tuesday against the Yankees. Wieters has a .438 average in 16 career at-bats against Yankees starter Ivan Nova.
Insight: Wieters is hitting just .192 (10-for-52) since the All-Star break, but Tuesday should be a good night to get him in the lineup. The catcher has gone 7-for-16 with three homers and five RBIs against Nova.
Description: Orioles outfielder Nick Markakis is batting .364 in 18 games since he returned from the disabled list.
Insight: Markakis went 3-for-4 with two RBIs Monday, giving him 28 hits since he came back from a broken hand. However, only seven of those hits went for extra bases, so you might want to try to sell high off Markakis' hot streak made up of mostly singles.
Description: Baltimore DH Jim Thome is still suffering from neck spasms. He'll miss his third game in a row Monday night when the Orioles take on the Yankees.
Insight: Thome (.252, 7 HRs, 21 RBIs) is headed back to Baltimore to get his neck looked at, so he probably won't be available for the rest of this series.
Description: Orioles starter Wei-Yin Chen struck out a career-high 12 batters in 5 2/3 innings of three-hit ball Sunday against the Athletics.
Insight: Chen (9-6, 3.65 ERA) a 27-year-old rookie from Taiwan, has been a major surprise this season, though he came into Sunday 1-4 in his last five decisions. While the 12-strikeout performance was an aberration, it's good to see the left-hander isn't breaking down 21 starts into his major league career.
Description: Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts has elected to have season-ending surgery on his injured right hip. Roberts will need 4-6 weeks to recover from the surgery and the hope is that he'll be 100 percent before Spring Training next February.
Insight: With Roberts (.182, 0 HRs, 5 RBIs) done for the season, Robert Andino (.230, 5 HRs, 21 RBIs) will see most of the reps at second base when he returns from the DL later this week.
Description: Orioles second baseman Robert Andino is doing well in his recovery from a strained shoulder and is expected to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk on either Sunday or Monday. He could be activated from the disabled list as early as Tuesday.
Insight: Andino (.230, 5 HR, 21 RBIs) should get most of the playing time at second base for the Orioles until Brian Roberts returns from his hip injury.
Description: Orioles catcher Matt Wieters did not start on Friday and ought to get Saturday off too as he's just 1-for-10 in his career versus Oakland's Bartolo Colon.
Insight: Wieters started the season well, but is struggling in July, batting just .197 (14-for-71) with a lone home run. Sit him on Saturday.
Description: Baltimore shortstop J.J. Hardy is in the lineup for Friday's game against Oakland. Hardy had been questionable after he was struck by a pitch in Thursday afternoon's 6-2 win over Tampa Bay.
Insight: Hardy (.220) has hit 14 homers this year, but his batting average and OPS are significantly lower than last season when his 30 HR, 80 RBI, .801 OPS made him a solid starting fantasy shortstop.
Description: Orioles catcher Matt Wieters is not in the starting lineup for Friday's game against Oakland. No injury, just a day of rest.
Insight: He's just 1-for-19 (.053) over his past five games so this has the added feature of letting him get his head together. Wieters was very good in April and June, but struggled in May and July. He likely can't wait until the calendar turns to August.
Description: Baltimore shortstop J.J. Hardy is questionable for Friday's game against Oakland after he was struck by a pitch in Thursday afternoon's 6-2 win over Tampa Bay.
Insight: Hardy (.220) has hit 14 homers this year, but his batting average and OPS are significantly lower than last season when his 30 HR, 80 RBI, .801 OPS made him a solid starting fantasy shortstop.
Description: X-rays on Baltimore shortstop J.J. Hardy's ribs came back negative. Hardy was struck by a pitch in Thursday afternoon's 6-2 win over Tampa Bay.
Insight: The injury wasn't significant enough for Hardy (.220, 14 HRs, 38 RBIs) to leave the game so he should be back out there Friday when the Orioles begin their series with Oakland.
Description: Baltimore 3B/OF/DH Chris Davis came into Thursday's game batting .152 with a .462 OPS in his last 30 games, but he was able to go 2-for-4 with a homer and four RBIs.
Insight: It's amazing Davis (.258, 16 HRs, 47 RBIs) had his average at .308 as late as June 14. The whiff king has posted a pitiful 40/7 K/BB ratio in his last 31 games.
Description: Orioles outfielder Nick Markakis is batting .352 this month and has a favorable matchup Thursday against Rays starter James Shields.
Insight: Markakis (.277, 8 HRs, 27 RBIs) only has one RBI in 13 games this month, but he is obviously seeing the ball well as he's struck out just once against five walks. The Orioles outfielder is 15-for-62 (.290) with two homers, six RBIs and nine walks against Shields.
Description: Though Baltimore center fielder Adam Jones scuffled at the beginning of the month, he's hitting .314 with three homers, seven RBIs, 10 runs scored and four walks since the All-Star break.
Insight: Jones has a favorable matchup Thursday as the Orioles face Rays right-hander James Shields. Jones is 12-for-34 (.353) with five doubles, one triple and one homer against Shields.
Description: Baltimore center fielder Adam Jones has struggled against Tampa Bay lefty David Price, batting just .174 (4-for-23) with a .469 OPS.
Insight: After a strong start, Jones' batting average has fallen each month to a July low of .263. His OPS for June and July is 200 points lower than his April/May production. With this unfavorable matchup you should sit him on Wednesday.
Description: Orioles first and third baseman Mark Reynolds is not listed in Monday night's starting lineup.
Insight: Reynolds (.209, 8 HRs, 31 RBIs) blasted 37 homers a year ago but if he keeps up at his current pace, he'll finish the 2012 campaign with just 14.
Description: Orioles right-hander Joel Pineiro will have season-ending surgery on the labrum in his right shoulder.
Insight: Pineiro went 7-7 with a 5.13 ERA for the Angels last season but he posted a sub-4.00 ERA in each of the previous two seasons. He had been hoping to get back to the big leagues this season but the surgery will sideline him for the rest of the year.
Description: Baltimore center fielder Adam Jones has struggled against Cleveland right-hander Justin Masterson, batting just .118 (2-for-17) with a .580 OPS.
Insight: After a strong start, Jones' numbers are down over the past month. His July batting average is just .250 with a .757 OPS which is more than 200 points below his April and May OPS statistics. Monday is an unfavorable matchup.
Description: Orioles catcher Matt Wieters isn't starting Sunday's game against Cleveland.
Insight: He's just 1-for-15 (.067) over his past four outings. Taylor Teagarden, who has gone hitless since his walkoff home run last weekend against the Tigers, will start in Wieters' place on Sunday.
Description: Orioles third baseman Wilson Betemit could be in for a huge fantasy day Sunday against the Indians. He's batting .421 in 19 career at bats versus Cleveland righthander Josh Tomlin.
Insight: Betemit (.251, 10 HRs, 33 RBIs) went 0-for-4 in Saturday's game but he should be able to get back on track Sunday against Tomlin and the Indians.
Description: Baltimore center fielder Adam Jones has been a beast against Cleveland's Josh Tomlin. He's hitting .545 in 11 career at bats against the Indians righthander.
Insight: He's hitting .292 against Cleveland this season and we're guessing he'll be able to improve upon that Sunday against Tomlin.
Description: Orioles starter Chris Tillman has allowed two earned runs over his first three starts this season. The right-hander improved to 2-1 with 6 2/3 strong innings Saturday against Cleveland.
Insight: Tillman has allowed 10 runs total, but only two of them were earned. Despite that, the right-hander has pitched effectively in two of his three starts and warrants consideration in AL-only leagues.
Description: Orioles DH Jim Thome blasted home run No. 610 of his career Friday night, moving him ahead of Sammy Sosa and into sole possession of seventh place on the all-time home run list.
Insight: The home run was Thome's sixth of the season and his first as a member of the Orioles.
Description: Righthander Tommy Hunter has been called up from Triple-A Norfolk. He'll start Wednesday night's game against the Twins.
Insight: It looks like Hunter will occupy the injured Jason Hammel's spot in the starting rotation for now. Hunter has been pretty mediocre in 15 appearances for the Orioles in 2012 (3-4, 6.11 ERA). Even if Hunter remains in the rotation for the next three or four weeks, it's unlikely that he'll become a reliable fantasy contributor.
Description: Baltimore DH Chris Davis will be on the sidelines for Wednesday night's game against Minnesota.
Insight: Davis (.260, 14 HRs, 41 RBIs) was firing on all cylinders at the beginning of the season (.309, 9 HRs, 23 RBIs in April/May) but since then he's faded back into the middle of the pack. The 26-year-old is hitless in his last three games, going 0-11 in that span.
Description: Baltimore righthander Jason Hammel will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on Monday. He's expected to miss three to four weeks.
Insight: Hammel's replacement in the rotation is anyone's guess, especially after Brian Matusz went ahead and made his scheduled start Sunday for Triple-A Norfolk. With the trade deadline just a little over two weeks away, expect the pitching-starved Orioles to push hard for either Milwaukee's Zack Greinke or one of the two Cubs starters currently on the trading block (Ryan Dempster and Matt Garza). Even Philadelphia's Cole Hamels might be a possibility.
Description: Baltimore catcher Matt Wieters will be a spectator Sunday when the Orioles play Detroit.
Insight: Backup catcher Taylor Teagarden will have a chance to replicate his late-game heroics from Saturday night today in the series finale. It's the 28-year-old's first start of the season for the Orioles.
Description: Orioles starter Jason Hammel says he is leaning towards knee surgery following the injury he suffered pitching Friday against the Tigers.
Insight: This news pretty much guarantees a DL stint for the 29-year-old righthander. Recently demoted starter Jake Arrieta (3-9, 6.13 ERA) seems like the most likely candidate to fill Baltimore's vacant slot in the starting rotation.
Description: In his first major league game of the 2012 season, Baltimore backup catcher Taylor Teagarden delivered a two-run walk-off homer in the 13th inning to lift the Orioles over Detroit by a score of 8-6.
Insight: Well there's a name you don't hear very often. And unless Matt Wieters (.254, 12 HRs, 45 RBIs) suffers an injury, it will probably be a while before you hear it again.
Description: Orioles starter Jason Hammel will miss his next start Wednesday versus the Twins. Hammel reinjured his right knee in Friday's game against Detroit.
Insight: The results of Hammel's MRI should determine whether or not a DL stint is necessary for the Baltimore righthander.
Description: Baltimore starter Jason Hammel left the game in the fourth inning Friday after injuring his right knee.
Insight: Hammel (3.54 ERA) allowed two runs in three innings before leaving the game. He's now lost four in a row after starting the year 8-2. For now, consider the Orioles righthander day-to-day.
Description: Orioles outfielder Nick Markakis will bat leadoff Friday in his return from the disabled list. Markakis has missed the last month and a half while recovering from a broken hand.
Insight: Markakis (.256, 8 HRs, 26 RBIs) has never hit leadoff in his seven-year career so Friday will be a new experience for the Baltimore right fielder. The Orioles have been struggling lately so perhaps shaking up the lineup will do them some good as they open the second half against a Tigers team that underachieved during the season's first half.
Description: Baltimore outfielder Nick Markakis has been activated from the 15-day DL. He's been out since late May after undergoing surgery on his broken hand.
Insight: Markakis went 3-10 during his rehab stint with Double-A Bowie. In 50 games for the Orioles he's hitting .256 with eight homers and 26 RBIs.
Description: According to Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com, Orioles outfielder Nick Markakis (hand) went 2-for-3 with two homers and four RBIs in his first rehab game with Double-A Bowie
Insight: Markakis should be activated for Baltimore's first game of the second half Friday, though his performance Saturday shows that he would be ready to go earlier in the week if not for the All-Star break. Markakis hasn't played since late May due to a broken hamate bone.
Description: Baltimore shortstop J.J. Hardy is just 1-for-12 (.083) in his career against Angels ace jered Weaver.
Insight: Hardy has been a non-factor over the past four weeks, batting just .170. After a good May (.314, 7 HR, 18 RBI) Hardy has disappeared and combined with Saturday's unfavorable matchup should have him firmly seated on your bench.
Description: An MRI revealed that Baltimore second baseman Brian Roberts has a torn muscle in his right hip.
Insight: Despite having a few productive seasons earlier in his career, Roberts (.182, 0 HRs, 5 RBIs) is just too-injury prone to take a chance on in fantasy anymore. Unfortunately for fantasy owners, Roberts' backup Robert Andino (.233, 4 HRs, 19 RBIs) has never been a consistent fantasy contributor.
Description: Baltimore corner infielder/DH Mark Reynolds is is questionable for Friday's game against Los Angeles with a left hand injury.
Insight: The Mark Reynolds we have watched this season isn't worthy of a starting spot in the lineup. He no longer steals bases (1 so far) and if he can't produce 30-plus homers his low average and high strikeouts make him a non-starter.
Description: Orioles outfielder Adam Jones is just 2-for-11 (.182) against Angels starter C.J. Wilson.
Insight: The All-Star outfielder has 20 HR and 44 RBI this season, but just two over the past two weeks while batting .245. Over his seven-year career, we have seen Jones' statistics take a significant hit after the All-Star break (OPS drops from .797 to .723). This may be your best "sell high" opportunity.
Description: Orioles DH Chris Davis has been scratched from Thursday night's starting lineup because of a strained back.
Insight: Davis (.274, 14 HRs, 40 RBIs) went through a disastrous 0-39 stretch in late June but since then he has gone 9-31 (.290) with two homers and nine RBIs.
Description: Orioles outfielder Adam Jones hit his first homer since June 23 Wednesday against Seattle.
Insight: Jones has just two home runs in his last 20 games after blasting 18 in his first 61. The outfielder has a career .723 OPS in the second half, so owners might want to quietly shop him to gauge his value just in case he follows his career trends.
Description: Orioles starter Chris Tillman took a shutout into the ninth inning in his first start of the season Wednesday against Seattle. Tillman ended up allowing two unearned runs in 8 1/3 innings to earn the win.
Insight: Tillman, a former second-round pick, made 36 starts over three seasons prior to 2012 and he posted an ERA 5.40 or higher in each of those seasons. The right-hander also went 8-8 with a 3.63 ERA and 92 strikeouts in 89 1/3 innings at Triple-A Norfolk this season. It's unlikely that he'll carry fantasy value outside of AL-only leagues.
Description: Orioles DH Jim Thome is one of the rare hitters with a history of success against Seattle ace Felix Hernandez. He's a career .500 hitter (8-for-16) in their matchups with three homers and seven RBI.
Insight: Thome has yet to get it going since being traded from Philadelphia to Baltimore, but this matchup might be just the thing to get him started.
Description: Orioles DH Jim Thome is in the starting lineup for Sunday's series finale with Cleveland. He'll DH and bat fifth.
Insight: Thome (.242, 5 HRs, 15 RBIs) was mostly limited to pinch-hitting duties as a member of the Phillies earlier in the season but now that he's in the American League, we'd expect him to receive pretty regular playing time at the DH position.
Description: Baltimore first/third baseman Mark Reynolds will not be featured in Sunday's starting lineup.
Insight: Reynolds (.209, 6 HRs, 22 RBIs) is hitless in his last five games and if his struggles continue, he'll probably start to see less and less playing time, especially now that the Orioles have Jim Thome at their disposal.
Description: Baltimore catcher Matt Wieters will have the afternoon off when the Orioles take on the Indians on Sunday.
Insight: Ronny Paulino (.259, 0 HRs, 5 RBIs) will get a turn at catcher with Wieters out of the lineup. Wieters (.249, 11 HRs, 38 RBIs) had caught the previous five games for the Orioles.
Description: First baseman/DH Jim Thome has been traded to the Orioles for minor leaguers Kyle Simon and Gabriel Lino.
Insight: Thome rarely plays first base anymore now that he's in his forties so look for his fantasy value to increase now that he can be in the lineup everyday as a full-time DH. He was batting .242 with five homers and 15 RBIs for the Phillies before getting traded.
Description: Baltimore infielder Wilson Betemit is a career .412 hitter (7-for-17) against Cleveland starter Josh Tomlin.
Insight: Betemit has played first, third, outfield and DH this season and that versatility along with 10 HR, 31 RBI and a .798 OPS make for a valuable player on your bench. He's been particularly hot over the past four weeks, batting .414 in his last 18 games.
Description: Baltimore shortstop J.J. Hardy accounted for two of the Orioles' seven hits Thursday in a 7-2 loss to Cleveland. One of Hardy's hits was a two-run homer, his 12th of the season.
Insight: Hardy was a home run machine in May (seven during the month) but his production has slowed down considerably in June. Thursday night's homer was just his second of the month. Hardy, a .314 hitter in May, is hitting a mere .198 since the beginning of June.
Description: Orioles starter Jason Hammel looked like a completely different pitcher when he stepped on the hill against the Angels Wednesday. Hammel came in having allowed zero earned runs on six hits in his last two starts, but he left after 3 1/3 innings Wednesday after getting pummelled by the Angels
Insight: Hammel served up eight hits and eight earned runs, one less than he allowed in his previous six starts combined. However, he's earned your trust this season, so don't hesitate to insert him into your lineup for his next start.
Description: Orioles starter Wei-Yin Chen is a solid streaming option for Thursday against the Indians. He's owned in just 35 percent of Yahoo! leagues despite a 7-3 record and 3.37 ERA.
Insight: Chen will get the Indians at home, where he is 4-1 with a 2.82 ERA in seven starts. Cleveland has also lost five in a row.
Description: Baltimore shortstop J.J. Hardy is hitless in nine career at-bats versus Angels ace Jered Weaver.
Insight: Hardy's only fantasy value is when he's hitting the long ball as he is not a high average guy and has little or no speed. For June, he's batting just .196 with one home run and five RBI. The combination of a cold bat and a bad matchup forces you to sit Hardy for almost any other option.
Description: Like his teammate J.J. Hardy, Baltimore first/third baseman Mark Reynolds is in quite a slump. He went 0-for-4 Tuesday against the Angels to drop to 3-for-29 in his last nine games.
Insight: At least Adam Dunn of the White Sox has 23 homers. Reynolds has six to go along with his .220 average, so he's simply not worth the headache.
Description: According to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun, Orioles manager Buck Showalter said he doesn't expect outfielder Nick Markakis (hand) to be ready until at least the series against Los Angeles right before the All-Star break.
Insight: At this point, it looks unlikely that Markakis will return prior to the break. Expect him back for the second half.
Description: Orioles DH Chris Davis is 0-for-29 over his last eight games. He's getting a day off on Tuesday against the Angels. He sat Sunday but made an out as a pinch-hitter.
Insight: Davis has been a massive disaster at the plate for more than a week. Get him away from your starting lineup immediately.
Description: The Orioles have released minor league third baseman Miguel Tejada.
Insight: Tejada was hitting just .259 with no homers and 18 RBIs for Triple-A Norfolk at the time of his release. Seeing as Tejada wasn't even doing well in the minor leagues this season, it appears his days of fantasy significance are long past.
Description: Orioles outfielder Nolan Reimold underwent neck surgery Monday in Baltimore. He is expected to miss the rest of the season.
Insight: Reimold (.313, 5 HRs, 10 RBIs) got off to a nice start this year for the Orioles but it looks like we'll have to wait until next season to see him on the field again.
Description: Orioles starter Jake Arrieta tossed six innings in a no-decision Sunday against the Nationals. The Baltimore righthander allowed five hits and one earned run over 103 pitches. He walked one and struck out five.
Insight: This marks Arrieta's third straight quality outing after beginning the year 2-8 with a 6.32 ERA. He'll take the mound again Saturday against the Indians.
Description: Baltimore shortstop J.J. Hardy went 0-for-4 Saturday against Washington.
Insight: Hardy is currently on a 3-for-32 stretch. He also went 1-for-23 earlier this month. Hardy likely has several more hot streaks left in him this season, but until he shows signs of breaking out you have to sit him down.
Description: Orioles outfielder Adam Jones went 1-for-4 with a solo homer Saturday against Washington.
Insight: The blast was Jones' first since June 12. Since that date, the Orioles outfielder had gone 7-for-31 (.225) with zero RBIs in the nine games prior to Saturday. Hopefully this is a sign that Jones is ready to get going again, but if he slumps up until the All-Star break you might want to consider quietly shopping him, as he does have a .723 OPS after the All-Star break in his career. For now, sit tight.
Description: Orioles catcher Matt Wieters should probably take Saturday off as he's never gotten a hit off Washington starter Edwin Jackson in 12 career at-bats.
Insight: Wieters has bounced back from a horrible May (.188) and is hitting .324 for the month of June. Saturday, however, is a bad matchup.
Description: Orioles DH Chris Davis is a career .000 batter (0-for-14) versus Washington starter Edwin Jackson with seven strikeouts.
Insight: Davis has gone 0-for-22 with eight strikeouts in his last six games, sinking his average from .308 to .278. He has a power swing when he makes contact, but is also prone to long slumps. He's in one of those now - sit him.
Description: Orioles starter Jason Hammel was back on the mound Friday against Washington after he threw a one-hit shutout his last time out against the Braves. Hammel provided a dominant encore, holding Washington to one unearned run on five hits in eight innings. He walked none and struck out 10.
Insight: Hopefully you took our advice and held onto Hammel after his hot start. The right-hander is now 8-2 with a 2.61 ERA and 87 strikeouts in 89 2/3 innings this season.
Description: Orioles DH Chris Davis went 0-for-4 again Friday against Washington.
Insight: Davis has gone 0-for-22 with eight strikeouts in his last six games, sinking his average from .308 to .278. The Orioles third baseman has a high potential of going into extended slumps due to his low-contact rate.
Description: According to MASNSports.com, Orioles outfielder Nolan Reimold will undergo surgery to alleviate the pressure on a nerve caused by a herniated disk in his cervical spine. Baltimore hasn't made an official announcement yet, as the team is letting Reimold decide how he wants to address the topic with the media.
Insight: Orioles manager Buck Showalter didn't confirm that Reimold is done for the season, as it depends on what the surgeon finds during the procedure. However, we don't expect him back for awhile so you can release him.
Description: Orioles outfielder Nick Markakis (hand) won't swing a bat this weekend, according to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun.
Insight: Markakis is hoping to be cleared for Monday or Tuesday as the wound from his hamate bone surgery has not completely healed yet. With a little more than two weeks remaining before the All-Star break, it seems optimistic at this point that Markakis will be back by then.
Description: A decision on Jamie Moyer's future should come in the next few days. Moyer can opt out of his contract with the Orioles this weekend if he hasn't been promoted to the major leagues by then.
Insight: After a disastrous stint with the Rockies earlier in the season (2-5, 5.70 ERA in 10 starts), Moyer has begun to turn things around since coming over to the Baltimore organization. He is 1-1 with a 1.69 ERA in three outings for Triple-A Norfolk. The Orioles' starting rotation appears to be set right now though so it's unlikely that the 49-year-old will be called up to the majors anytime soon.
Description: Baltimore first/third baseman Mark Reynolds is not in the starting lineup Wednesday against the Mets.
Insight: Reynolds hit 37 homers in 2011 but he'll need a Ruthian effort in the second half if he hopes to achieve that number again this season. In 47 games this year, Reynolds (.227) has gone deep just five times.
Description: Baltimore third baseman Mark Reynolds went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts Tuesday against the Mets.
Insight: Reynolds is 1-for-15 in his last five games after going 8-for-13 with three doubles and two homers in his previous three. That type of inconsistency makes Reynolds unownable outside of the deepest of mixed leagues.
Description: Orioles starter Jake Arrieta will make his scheduled start Monday against the Mets despite struggling with food poisoning less than 24 hours ago.
Insight: Arrieta has pitched to just a 3-8 record this season but he was dominant against the Pirates in his last outing (7 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 9 Ks).
Description: Orioles infielder Chris Davis went 0-for-4 Sunday against Atlanta, wrapping up an 0-for-10 weekend series.
Insight: Davis had three homers and four multi-hit games during Baltimore's six-game homestand last week, but he continued his struggles on the road as the Orioles went to Atlanta. Davis has a .326 average, nine homers and 23 RBIs in 27 games at Camden Yards, but he's hitting just .267 with three jacks in 30 away games this season.
Description: Orioles lefthander Wei-Yin Chen went seven innings without giving up a run Sunday as Baltimore shut out Atlanta for the second day in a row.
Insight: Chen couldn't have faced the Braves at a better time. Atlanta has now lost six out of its last seven games and has managed just two runs per game during that span. Chen improved to 7-2 with the win and is now 3-0 with a 2.21 ERA in his last three outings.
Description: Orioles catcher Matt Wieters isn't listed as a starter for Sunday's tilt against the Braves.
Insight: Wieters (.252, 9 HRs, 32 RBIs) is hitless since his four-hit performance Thursday night against the Pirates. He is fourth amongst AL catchers in home runs behind Boston's Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Chicago's A.J. Pierzynski and Texas' Mike Napoli.
Description: Baltimore second baseman Brian Roberts upped his season RBI total to four with a pair of RBI singles Saturday in the Orioles' 5-0 win over the Braves.
Insight: So far, so good for Roberts. He's a solid 7-22 (.318) since coming off the disabled list on Tuesday.
Description: Orioles starter Jason Hammel threw a masterpiece Saturday night in a win over the Braves. He tossed nine shutout innings and allowed just one hit, striking out eight and walking two.
Insight: Hammel took a no-hitter into the seventh before losing the bid on a single by Jason Heyward. We keep waiting for Hammel (7-2, 2.87 ERA) to falter but he still hasn't and it's starting to look more and more like he's a legitimate fantasy ace.
Description: Orioles SP Brian Matusz gave up four runs on nine hits in 5 2/3 innings Friday against Atlanta.
Insight: Matusz (5-7, 4.94) was hit in the nose during a bunting drill Tuesday, causing the Orioles to push his start back to Friday. He's been too inconsistent to start outside of deep AL-only leagues.
Description: According to Eduardo Encina of the Baltimore Sun, Orioles outfielder Nolan Reimold will see a neurosurgeon to figure out why he's still experiencing tingling even though a recent MRI showed the bulging disk in his neck is improving.
Insight: Reimold still hasn't resumed baseball activities and there is no timetable for his return. Reimold hasn't played since April 30, and we're not optimistic on him returning before the All-Star break.
Description: Baltimore righthander Tommy Hunter picked up his first win since April Thursday against Pittsburgh, but it wasn't pretty. Hunter allowed five runs on seven hits in six innings.
Insight: Hunter (3-3) last won on April 24 against Toronto. He's not worth owning, even in deep AL-only leagues.
Description: Baltimore third baseman Mark Reynolds has faced Atlanta Braves starter Tommy Hanson eight times producing a lone single and striking out on five occasions.
Insight: Reynolds has been hot over the past two weeks, batting .389 with three homers, but an unfavorable matchup doesn't bode well for Reynolds' Friday production.
Description: Baltimore third baseman Mark Reynolds went 4-for-5 with two doubles, a homer and two RBIs Thursday against the Pirates.
Insight: Since returning from the disabled list, the Orioles third baseman has gone 17-for-45 (.377) with five doubles, three homers, nine RBIs and eight walks in 14 games, and that includes an 0-for-12 streak from June 6-9.
Description: Orioles catcher Matt Wieters went 4-for-5 with five RBIs Thursday against Pittsburgh.
Insight: Wieters needed a big game like this after he hit .188 in May and went 0-for-8 in the last two games. After Thursday's performance, Wieters in batting .367 (18-for-49) with 10 RBIs in 12 June games.
Description: Former Oriole Erik Bedard shouldn't expect a warm welcome from Adam Jones when he returns to Camden Yards Thursday night. Jones is hitting .545 against Bedard in his career.
Insight: Bedard has pitched well for the Pirates this year (4-6, 3.59 ERA) but if history repeats itself, Jones (.307, 18 HRs, 39 RBIs) will be a tough matchup for the Pittsburgh lefthander.
Description: Baltimore righthander Jake Arrieta pitched well filling in for the injured Brian Matusz Wednesday night against Pittsburgh. He surrendered seven hits and one run over seven innings. Arrieta walked one and struck out nine.
Insight: The Pirates can make any pitcher look good so don't get too excited. It was still a huge improvement over his last outing, when he got hammered by Philadelphia. When Arrieta can throw his curveball for strikes he usually does well and that was the case on Wednesday.
Description: Orioles infielder Chris Davis went 2-for-4 with a homer and three RBIs Wednesday against Pittsburgh.
Insight: Davis has hit a homer in each of the last two games and three out of the last four. He has 12 on the year to go along with a .305 batting average. However, don't expect the average to stay that high with all of Davis' strikeouts.
Description: With Brian Matusz's start pushed back until Friday, Jake Arrieta will get another crack at the starting rotation Wednesday night against Pittsburgh.
Insight: Arrieta (2-9, 6.32 ERA) was brutal in his last start Friday against the Phillies (4 IP, 11 H, 9 ER) and hasn't turned in a decent outing since May 18th against Washington. We're guessing Arrieta will be moved back to the bullpen after this start.
Description: Baltimore second baseman Brian Roberts went 3-for-4 with one RBI Tuesday in his first major league action since May of 2011.
Insight: In his last full season, Roberts hit .283 with 16 homers and 30 stolen bases, but that was way back in 2009. Still, he's worth a flier in mixed leagues due to his power, speed and run scoring potential.
Description: Orioles SP Brian Matusz has been scratched from Wednesday's start against Pittsburgh with a nose contusion. He's been confirmed to start Friday against Atlanta.
Insight: Matusz was hit in the nose during a bunting drill Tuesday but he was initially confirmed for his start Wednesday. We wouldn't use Matusz Friday at Atlanta, as the Baltimore lefty is 3-3 with a 5.01 ERA and 1.61 WHIP in six road starts this season.
Description: Orioles outfielder Adam Jones went 4-for-5 with a homer and two RBIs Tuesday against Pittsburgh.
Insight: Jones has gone 8-for-15 with two homers and four RBIs following an 0-for-11 streak. He's making a bid for best all-around player in fantasy baseball with his .310, 18 HR, 39 RBI, 44 R, 9 SB campaign.
Description: Orioles SP Brian Matusz is expected to make his scheduled start Wednesday after X-rays on his nose came back negative, according to Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com.
Insight: Matusz was hit in the nose during a bunting drill Tuesday and was questionable for his start Wednesday. Matusz is just 2-3 with a 4.64 ERA in six starts on the road this season, but he's facing Pittsburgh Wednesday so feel free to use him.
Description: Orioles outfielder Nick Markakis (hand) had the stitches removed from his hand Tuesday, according to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun.
Insight: Markakis is still not allowed to swing a bat. The outfielder went on the disabled list at the end of May with a broken hamate bone. He's still aiming for a late June return.
Description: Orioles SP Brian Matusz was hit in the nose during a bunting drill Tuesday and is questionable for his start Wednesday.
Insight: The Orioles will make a decision on Matusz' availability for Wednesday after evaluating him Tuesday night. Baltimore is lucky to avoid a situation like Pittsburgh had with A.J. Burnett. The Pirates right-hander broke an orbital bone during a bunting drill in the preseason and had to miss several weeks of action.
Description: Baltimore second baseman Brian Roberts has been activated from the 60-day disabled list and 1s in the starting lineup for Tuesday's game against Pittsburgh.
Insight: Roberts has played just 98 games over the past two and a half seasons, so its hard to know what you will get from him. From 2004-2009 he was a premier fantasy second baseman. Robert Andino's fantasy stock will take a hit.
Description: Baltimore starter Zach Britton's (shoulder) had a 0.75 ERA in two rehab starts with Double-A Bowie. He's still got plenty of work left before being called up by the big club, but he's making good progress.
Insight: It will be interesting to see where he lands when his rehab work has been completed.
Description: Orioles starter Jason Hammel gave up four runs on six hits in six inning Sunday against the Phillies. Hammel walked five and struck out four.
Insight: Hammel's performance has regressed after a strong start to the season. The right-hander has allowed four earned runs in four of his last six starts. Despite that, he still has a solid 3.22 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and a 6-2 record.
Description: Baltimore shortstop J.J. Hardy went 0-for-5 against Philadelphia Sunday.
Insight: Hardy is batting .043 (1-for-23) in his last five games, with the one hit being his 11th homer of the season. Hardy tends to be one of the streakier players in baseball, so perhaps we are catching him on a downswing right now. Hopefully it doesn't last as long as his April swoon, when he hit .184 with three homers.
Description: Orioles outfielder Adam Jones ended Saturday's game against Philadelphia in dramatic fashion, homering to deep centerfield to win the game in the bottom of the 12th inning.
Insight: This was actually Jones' first homer since May 29th and he had been just one for his last 16 entering today's game. Despite the slump, Jones still leads the team in nearly every offensive category including batting average (.298), RBIs (37) and home runs (17).
Description: Orioles righthander Jake Arrieta has been moved to the bullpen.
Insight: Arrieta carried a winning record as a starter in 2011 (10-8), but in 13 starts this season he is just 2-8. Don't expect Arrieta to be in the bullpen for very long: Tommy Hunter (2-3, 5.40 ERA) has been just as inconsistent as Arrieta and could easily lose his spot in the rotation.
Description: Baltimore righthander Tommy Hunter lasted seven innings Saturday against the Phillies, allowing three runs on eight hits. Hunter walked none and struck out two.
Insight: It was an improvement over his recent outings but still nothing to write home about. Hunter (2-3, 5.40 ERA) doesn't have much fantasy upside, though it does look like he has secured a spot in the rotation now that Jake Arrieta has been moved to the bullpen.
Description: Baltimore second baseman Brian Roberts is expected to return from the disabled list Tuesday night against the Pirates. Roberts has been out all season with a concussion.
Insight: Robert Andino's fantasy stock will take a hit when Roberts returns.
Description: Despite rumors that Orioles starter Jake Arrieta would be demoted to Triple-A Norfolk following his poor performance Friday night versus the Phillies, he remains on the Baltimore roster.
Insight: Arrieta (2-8, 6.32 ERA) is on thin ice right now and shouldn't be owned in any fantasy formats.
Description: Orioles infielder Chris Davis went 2-for-4 with a homer and two RBIs Friday against Philadelphia.
Insight: Davis has knocked 10 balls out of the park this season but he hasn't been able to hit anything lately, batting just 2-for-18 since May 30 prior to tonight's outburst.
Description: Baltimore designated hitter Nick Johnson has only gotten a two at-bats since May 28, but if ever he's going to get a spot start, today's matchup is the one.
Insight: Johnson is a career .444 hitter (8-for-18) versus Phillies starter Joe Blanton with a 1.212 OPS. Unfortunately, his .181 season batting average this season may scare off the opportunity to get into today's lineup.
Description: Baltimore righthander Tommy Hunter is expected to start Saturday's game against Philadelphia. Hunter was sent down to Triple-A Norfolk at the end of last month.
Insight: Hunter (2-3, 5.59 ERA) is winless in his last six major league starts and has given up five runs or more in each of his past two appearances. Simply put, he hasn't made a very compelling case for himself this season. Don't bother adding Hunter if you see that he's available on the waiver wire.
Description: Orioles SP Brian Matusz will start Thursday against Boston. He's been successful in his career against the Red Sox and has pitched well lately, but he's not a good streaming option due to the game taking place at Fenway Park.
Insight: Matusz has thrown four straight quality starts and owns a 3-1 record with a 3.58 ERA and .209 BAA in seven career starts against Boston. However, he has a 4.58 ERA and 1.42 WHIP in four starts at Fenway Park.
Description: According to Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com, Orioles outfielder Nolan Reimold (neck) hasn't resumed baseball-related activites yet. Reimold has been on the disabled list since May 1 with a herniated disk in his neck.
Insight: Reimold still has some tingling despite no longer dealing with pain in his left shoulder and arm. A timetable for his return hinges entirely on when he begins rehab drills.
Description: Orioles closer Jim Johnson blew his first save of the season in 18 chances Tuesday against Boston. Johnson allowed a game-tying two-run blast to Jarrod Saltalamacchia in the ninth.
Insight: The Orioles scored two in the top of the 10th and Johnson stayed in to close out Boston in the bottom of the frame to earn his first win of the season, so it wasn't a total loss for fantasy owners. The right-hander has excelled in his first season as closer, but he was due for a hiccup. Nobody's perfect.
Description: Orioles infielder Chris Davis has never gotten a hit off Red Sox starter Jon Lester in 13 at-bats. Davis is also hitless in his last 11 at-bats this week.
Insight: Davis has shown flashes of ability, batting .295 with some power this year, but at the moment his bat is one to be avoided. He's not hitting and he's in an unfavorable matchup. Sit him.
Description: The latest update on Orioles outfielder Adam Jones is that the MRI on both wrists came back negative and he has been cleared to play.
Insight: This could have been a disaster for fantasy owners since Jones has been playing at an All-Star level (.315, 38 runs, 16 HR, 34 RBI, 9 SB). He might still need a day or two off, but this is excellent news.
Description: Orioles outfielder Adam Jones is doubtful for Tuesday's game against Boston with a sore right wrist.
Insight: This is not the wrist that Brandon Morrow hit with a pitch and Jones said its been bothering him for a few weeks. Jones will remain in Florida to get an MRI on Monday before joining the club in Boston. This is a disaster for fantasy owners since Jones has been playing at an All-Star level (.315, 38 runs, 16 HR, 34 RBI, 9 SB). We will report results from the MRI as soon as they become available.
Description: Baltimore infielder Wilson Betemit is questionable for Tuesday's game against Boston due to illness.
Insight: Betemit has played first, third, outfield and DH this season and has shown some pop (7 HR, 23 RBI) but not on a consistent enough basis to start in your fantasy lineup.
Description: Orioles outfielder Adam Jones (wrist) exited Sunday's game with right wrist soreness, according to MLB.com Orioles reporter Brittany Ghiroli.
Insight: Jones said he has been bothered by right wrist soreness for the last few weeks. Jones was hit in the left wrist by Brandon Morrow of the Blue Jays Wednesday, but it's actually been the other wrist that's of greater concern to fantasy owners. Jones will stay in Florida to get an MRI on his wrist during the team's off day Monday. X-rays came back negative Sunday.
Description: Baltimore third baseman Mark Reynolds went 3-for-5 with a solo homer and an RBI single against the Rays on Sunday.
Insight: Since returning from the disabled list, the Orioles third baseman has gone 7-for-22 (.318) with two doubles, one homer, four RBIs and four walks in six games.
Description: Lew Ford, a 35-year-old outfielder who last played in the major leagues in 2007, is batting .393 with three homers and nine RBIs in 61 at-bats for Triple-A Norfolk, the Baltimore Orioles' Triple-A club, this season.
Insight: Ford was signed and assigned to Triple-A by Baltimore on May 19. With Nick Markakis out for 3-4 weeks with a broken hamate bone, we may see Ford get called up to the Orioles soon.
Description: Orioles SP Brian Matusz improved to 5-5 on the season after beating Tampa Bay Saturday. The left-hander allowed one run on two hits in 7 1/3 innings. He walked three and struck out seven.
Insight: Matusz has won five of his last seven starts and has thrown four straight quality starts.
Description: Orioles outfielder Adam Jones (wrist) played on Friday and has a nice matchup on Saturday against Rays starter Jeremy Hellickson. He's a career .375 hitter against Hellickson with a pair of homers and a 1.188 OPS in 16 at-bats.
Insight: Jones is having an All-Star season, hitting .317 with 34 runs scored, 16 homers 34 RBIs and eight steals. It looks like fantasy owners dodged a bullet after Jones was hit by Brandon Morrow on the left wrist.
Description: According to Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com, Orioles outfielder Nolan Reimold is no longer dealing with pain in his left shoulder and arm. Reimold has been on the disabled list since May 1 with a herniated disk in his neck.
Insight: Reimold had his hot start derailed by the neck injury. Before he went down, he hit five homers in the first 16 games this season. Reimold still needs to regain strength before he can go on a minor league rehab assignment.
Description: Orioles outfielder Adam Jones (wrist) is expected to play Friday though it might be wise to sit out one more day due to an unfavorable matchup. Jones is just 3-for-20 (.150) over his career against Tampa Bay David Price.
Insight: Jones is having an All-Star season, hitting .314 with 16 homers and 34 RBIs. He's chipped in eight steals, 38 runs and a .983 OPS, making him a rare six-category performer, so it's obviously great news that he avoided a wrist fracture.
Description: Nick Markakis has a broken hamate bone in his right hand. He'll have surgery Friday morning and is expected to miss 3-4 weeks.
Insight: According to Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com, Markakis' injury occurred on a slide into second base 7-10 days ago, but Markakis broke the bone completely while swinging the bat Tuesday.
Description: Orioles outfielder Adam Jones (wrist) is expected to play Friday. He was hit on the left wrist by Brandon Morrow on Wednesday.
Insight: Jones' precautionary X-rays came back negative. Baltimore has off Thursday before heading to Tampa Bay. Jones has broken out in a big way this season, hitting .314 with 16 homers and 34 RBIs. He's chipped in eight steals, 38 runs and a .983 OPS, making him a rare six-category performer, so it's obviously great news that he avoided a wrist fracture.
Description: Adam Jones was taken for X-rays on his left wrist after getting hit by a pitch in the sixth inning Wednesday in Baltimore's loss to Toronto.
Insight: Jones' hitting streak finally came to an end but he was able to stay in the game after suffering the injury so he'll probably be fine to retun to action after the Orioles' off day on Thursday.
Description: Orioles outfielder Nick Markakis is expected to miss Wednesday's game against Toronto with a bruised right wrist. He is scheduled to see a hand specialist in Florida on Thursday.
Insight: After a slow start, Markakis has been much improved in May, batting .265 with six homers, 17 RBI and a .846 OPS. He's not the same hitter he was from 2007-09, but he's still useful for outfield depth.
Description: Baltimore third baseman Mark Reynolds is just 1-for-10 against Blue Jays starter Brandon Morrow, with six strikeouts.
Insight: Reynolds is 3-for-7 since returning from the disabled list on Monday, but tonight is an unfavorable matchup and you should sit him on your bench for the day.
Description: Hot-hitting Baltimore outfielder Adam Jones (.317, 16 HR, 34 RBI) is a career .400 batter against Toronto starter Brandon Morrow with a pair of homers and a 1.179 OPS.
Insight: Jones' hitting streak reached 20 games with Tuesday's night's two home run performance. Add in the favorable matchup and Jones is a must-start.
Description: Orioles infielder Chris Davis slugged his ninth homer of the season on Tuesday against Toronto. Davis went 3-for-5 with two RBIs in the game to raise his batting average to .315.
Insight: The former Ranger seems to have finally reached his massive power potential that he displayed in spurts with Texas. Davis has seven multi-hit games and four homers since May 16. He strikes out way too much to keep his average over .300, but if he continues to knock the ball out of the park fantasy owners won't mind a decline in batting average.
Description: Baltimore outfielder Adam Jones hit two homers, No. 15 and No. 16, and had three hits in three at-bats with three RBIs against the Blue Jays on Tuesday.
Insight: Jones extended his hitting streak to 20 games with Tuesday's performance. The 26-year-old clearly isn't slowing down, which is good news for those who bought high on the Orioles center fielder after his hot start.
Description: Matt Wieters was run from Tuesday's game by home plate umpire Doug Eddings for arguing balls and strikes.
Insight: Wieters was ejected from behind the plate after Eddings called two close pitches balls. The 26-year-old catcher is in a massive slump dating back to May 10. Wieters' batting average was at .300 on May 8, but since then he's gone just 7-for-59 (.119) with one home run.
Description: Baltimore second baseman Robert Andino is just 2-for-17 (.118) against Blue Jays lefty Ricky Romero.
Insight: Andino has played solidly in place of always-injured Brian Roberts (.260, 19 runs scored, 3 HR, 14 RBI), but today is not the day to have him in your fantasy lineup.
Description: Baltimore shortstop J.J. Hardy is just 2-for-15 (.133) against Toronto starter Ricky Romero over his career with eight strikeouts.
Insight: Hardy's solid .788 OPS and long ball ability make him an attractive fantasy shortstop. If only he could hit for a little better average or steal the occasional base, he could become a top-five fantasy shortstop. Hardy should not be started today.
Description: Baltimore third baseman Mark Reynolds is 3-for-12 against Blue Jays starter Ricky Romero, but those three hits are all homers to boost his career OPS against Romero to 1.308.
Insight: Reynolds was 2-for-3 on Monday in his return from the disabled list and is worthy of a spot in your lineup for Tuesday's contest.
Description: Mark Reynolds has been activated from the disabled list and is in the lineup as a designated hitter Monday night against the Blue Jays. Reynolds has been out since May 10th with an oblique injury.
Insight: Reynolds is always enticing because he has a knack for hitting home runs and in most league he has eligibility at both first and third base but until he gets his average up above .200, he isn't worth the trouble.
Description: Baltimore shortstop J.J. Hardy is is just 1-for-16 (.063) against Royals starter Luke Hochevar.
Insight: Hardy continues to produce the long ball with 10 homers and 24 RBi in 44 games. Only a mediocre batting average and no stolen bases keep him from being a top fantasy shortstop.
Description: According to MASN's Roch Kubatko, Adam Jones and the Orioles have reached an agreement on a six-year contract extension worth $88.5 million.
Insight: If Jones keeps hitting the way he has in 2012 for the next six years (he's hitting .309 with 14 HRs and 31 RBIs this season), this will be one of the wisest investments the Orioles have ever made.
Description: Jason Hammel reverted to his early-season form on Friday against Kansas City, shutting out the Royals on five hits over six innings. Hammel walked one and struck out seven to improve to 6-1.
Insight: Hammel was coming off two lackluster starts -- he allowed four earned runs against New York on May 14 and again against Washington on May 19. Hammel was able to lower his ERA to 2.78 on Friday. He remains a must-start pitcher in all formats.
Description: Mark Reynolds (oblique) will begin a minor league rehab assignment with Double-A Bowie on Saturday, according to Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com
Insight: Reynolds hasn't played since May 10. He appeared to be snapping out of his funk when he had six hits, three doubles, two homers and six RBIs in the Orioles' series against Boston from May 4-6, but he followed that up with a 2-for-12 stretch before hitting the disabled list.
Description: Orioles outfielder Adam Jones is a career .455 hitter versus Kansas City starter Bruce Chen (5-for-11).
Insight: Jones is looking like an All-Star this year, batting .311, with 14 HR, 29 RBI, 6 SB, 32 runs scored and a .601 slugging percentage. With this favorable matchup, he's a must-start.
Description: Baltimore shortstop J.J. Hardy is questionable for Friday's game against Kansas City with a sore right shoulder.
Insight: Hardy continues to produce the long ball with nine homers and 21 RBi in 43 games. A low batting average and no speed are the only things keeping him from being a top fantasy shortstop.
Description: The Baltimore Orioles have promoted pitching prospect Dylan Bundy to Class A Advanced Frederick.
Insight: Bundy, the No. 4 overall pick in last year's draft, didn't allow a run on five hits in 30 innings at Class A Delmarva. Armed with 100 mph heat and nasty off-speed stuff, Bundy struck out 40 batters while walking just two. The Orioles want to limit him to around 125-130 innings this season, but this is someone we may see in the major leagues as early as next season if he continues to breeze through minor league hitters like he did at his first pro stop.
Description: Orioles catcher Matt Wieters is not in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against Boston
Insight: A day game after a night game is the culprit. Wieters is just one for his last 22 so this might be a good move for the long-term. He's batting .240 with eight homers and 21 RBI this season.
Description: Baltimore shortstop J.J. Hardy is not in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against Boston. No injury, simply a day of rest.
Insight: Hardy continues to produce the long ball with nine homers and 21 RBi in 43 games. A low batting average and no speed are the only things keeping him from being a top fantasy shortstop.
Description: Adam Jones looped a single to left field in the third inning of Tuesday night's win over the Red Sox, extending his hitting streak to 14 games.
Insight: Jones is quickly becoming one of the most reliable hitters in fantasy baseball. He's in the top eight in the American League in batting average (.307), HRs (14), RBIs (29), SBs (6), runs (32) and slugging percentage (.598).
Description: Baltimore second baseman Robert Andino has faced Boston starter Clay Buchholz nine times producing just one single while striking out six times.
Insight: Andino has played solidly in place of injured Brian Roberts, batting .264 with 15 runs scored, three homers and 14 RBI. At this point, even if Roberts gets healthy again which is doubtful, it appears that the job in Andino's. Monday, however, would be a good day to sit him.
Description: Wei-Yin Chen suffered his first major league loss Sunday afternoon against the Nationals. Chen surrendered eight hits, three walks and six earned runs over 4.1 innings.
Insight: Even Stephen Strasburg got into the act against Chen, homering to left center in the fourth inning. Chen's ERA rose by almost a full run Sunday (2.45 to 3.35) and the two homers were the most he has given up in a game so far in his big league career. He'll take the hill again Saturday against Kansas City.
Description: Matt Wieters went 0-for-4 against the Nationals on Saturday.
Insight: The Orioles catcher is 0-for-16 over the last three games and 4-for-40 (.100) since May 10. You might want to sit him down until he snaps out of this major funk.
Description: Adam Jones had three hits, including a two-run home run, against the Nationals on Saturday.
Insight: Jones has four homers in the last five games and 14 on the year. Clearly, his power is for real. Barring injury, the outfielder is a lock for his first 30-homer season. The question is: how much higher than 30 can he go?
