Brad Bergesen

WASHINGTON - Once considered a key member of the Orioles' young rotation, right-hander Brad Bergesen will be pitching for Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday without a spot on the organization's 40-man roster. That's something he hasn't done in more than four years. "It's been an interesting process, something I've gone through for the first time, kind of the in-limbo phase," said Bergesen, who was taken off the 40-man roster Friday when the Orioles made room for Bill Hall . "There was some unknown, whether I'd be playing for another team … I was kind of on pins and needles.

The Orioles have designated Brad Bergesen for assignment, according to a source. The move has not been made official, but the club needs to make a move by tonight because infielder/outfielder Bill Hall has been called up from Triple-A Norfolk. The 26-year-old Bergesen, a former fourth-rounder in 2004 by the Orioles, is 17-24 with a 4.68 ERA in 83 games, 59 starts, for the Orioles in his career. He did not make the team out of spring and has been in Norfolk, where he is 1-2 with a 5.13 ERA in eight games (six starts)

Left-hander Dontrelle Willis has dropped his grievance against the Orioles, and will return to the organization tomorrow, his agent confirmed. Willis, the 2003 NL Rookie of the Year and 2005 NL Cy Young Award runner-up, was signed by the Orioles to a minor-league deal during spring training to be a situational left-handed reliever. Two weeks ago, he left Triple-A Norfolk saying he was told he was getting his release , but the Orioles contended that was never the case and he left without the club's permission.

- The Orioles thinned out their spring roster Monday, with eight players sent out of camp, including right-handers Brad Bergesen and Jason Berken and middle infielder Matt Antonelli, all of whom were optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. Two more players, second baseman Brian Roberts (concussion) and left-hander Zach Britton (shoulder), were placed on the 15-day disabled list. The Orioles re-assigned five non-roster players to minor league camp: pitchers Dontrelle Willis and Armando Galarraga, infielder Steve Tolleson, outfielder Scott Beerer and catcher John Hester.

BRADENTON, Fla. - The Orioles roster thinned out a little Monday, with several players being sent out of camp including right-hander Brad Bergesen, who pitched in 34 games with the Orioles last year. The Orioles have not yet announced the cuts, but they also include infielder Steve Tolleson, outfielder Scott Beerer and catcher John Hester - all non-roster invitees - who were sent to minor-league camp. Bergesen was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk to be a starter. Also optioned to Triple-A Norfolk were pitcher Jason Berken, who made his spring debut Sunday after dealing with a hamstring issue, and Matt Antonelli, who batted .194 in 31 at-bats this spring.

The Orioles have decided to offer a 2012 contract to right-hander Brad Bergesen as well as six others who are eligible for arbitration this winter. Of their nine arbitration-eligible players, only two were not offered contracts on Monday: lefty Jo-Jo Reyes and outfielder Luke Scott. Reliever Willie Eyre, who was taken off the 40-man roster and designated for assignment last week, also was listed as not being tendered a contract. The club now has 38 players on its 40-man roster.

The Orioles decided Monday not to tender a 2012 contract to outfielder Luke Scott, allowing their 2010 Most Valuable Oriole to become a free agent, according to an industry source. The decision is not a surprise considering that Scott, 33, batted just .220 and was limited to 64 games because of a torn labrum. Scott's 2011 salary was $6.4 million, and through arbitration he could have made at least $6 million in 2012. Manager Buck Showalter did not confirm the nontender but seemed resigned to it when he was reached by telephone late Monday afternoon.

The Orioles have decided to non-tender Jo-Jo Reyes, allowing him to become a free agent. Reyes was snagged off the waiver wire from the Toronto Blue Jays at midseason and posted a 6.16 ERA for the Orioles in nine games (five starts). With the acquisition of Dana Eveland last week, and the Orioles' interest in other starting pitchers in the market, Reyes, 27, became expendable. The Orioles also have non-tendered Luke Scott, though they hope to bring him back at a salary lesser than the $6.4 million he made in 2011.

For much of the season, Orioles starting pitcher Brian Matusz has tried to put a positive spin on his disastrous year, promising to work hard and attempt to turn around 2011 while he still could. The Orioles' 10-6 loss to the Detroit Tigers in Sunday was Matusz's last chance of the year, and he walked away with another rough outcome, allowing six runs, including two homers, in five innings pitched. Afterward, the 24-year-old left-hander reflected on his 2011, which included a protracted spring due to minor health issues and then an intercostal muscle strain that basically cost him two months.

The Orioles have made it very clear how happy they are to have a healthy Brian Roberts back at the top of their lineup. But while Roberts played a big part in another Orioles victory Wednesday, the story of the night was Brad Bergesen's continued return to the form he showed last season. The right-hander put forth the best performance by an Orioles starter all season, allowing just one run and two hits in a complete-game, 3-1 victory over the Cleveland Indians in front of an announced 11,155 at Progressive Field.