Jeremy Guthrie

It's been somewhat amusing to me the vitriol sent my way via Twitter, email and the blog concerning the Orioles' lack of movement so far this offseason. I understand that you want the Orioles to improve, especially considering that all the teams in their division are making news. I get that. But I think there are two things worth noting here: 1. Executive vice president Dan Duquette made a point at the beginning of the offseason that he did not expect the Orioles to pursue expensive free agents.

Right-hander Jason Hammel, shelved the past two weeks after tweaking his right knee, came out of his first bullpen session off a mound with no pain and remains a possibility to return this season. Hammel threw 35 pitches Tuesday, the first time he threw off a mound since limping off the mound and leaving in the fourth inning of the Orioles' Sept. 11 game against the Tampa Bay Rays. On Wednesday, Hammel said the knee felt good. “I see it as a success,” he said. Orioles manager Buck Showalter said Hammel could be a possibility for the postseason roster - even if he's unable to make a start before then.

Orioles right-hander Jason Hammel, making his second start since returning from arthroscopic surgery on his right knee, left Tuesday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays in the fourth inning with an injury to that knee. After delivering a first-pitch curveball to Rays right fielder Matt Joyce with two outs in the fourth, Hammel limped off the mound after favoring his right leg. Manager Buck Showalter and head trainer Richie Bancells ran to the mound to check on Hammel, who didn't even throw a warm-up pitch to test the injury.

Orioles right-hander Jason Hammel threw five shutout innings in a minor league rehab assignment start at advanced Class-A Frederick on Saturday night. Hammel, who had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in mid-July, held the Carolina Mudcats to three hits, all singles, while striking out seven and walking one. He threw 66 pitches (47 strikes), just under his 70-pitch limit. This was Hammel's first post-surgery outing in a live game -- he had thrown two previous simulated games.

DETROIT - Zach Britton's season has been a fight: A fight to stay healthy, a fight with his control and a fight to prove he belongs in the major leagues. “Little bloodied?” said Britton, referring to a term Orioles manager Buck Showalter has used to characterize his team's resilience. “I'm a little bloodied. Yeah, definitely.” With his team needing a win Saturday night to stay perched among the two American League wild-card spots, the 24-year-old Britton gave the Orioles his best, throwing seven shutout innings against a dangerous lineup and leading the Orioles to a 3-2 win over the Detroit Tigers in front of a loud sellout crowd of 42,132 at Comerica Park.

OK, so in late October, the San Francisco Giants were shopping lefty Jonathan Sanchez and contacted the Orioles. At the time, the Orioles were without a GM, so nothing materialized between the clubs. And in early November the Giants dealt Sanchez to the Kansas City Royals for outfielder Melky Cabrera, who incidentally was the 2012  All-Star Game MVP. This offseason, the Orioles were looking to trade their own veteran pitcher with a high salary, Jeremy Guthrie. Basically, they didn't want to pay what Guthrie was going to get in arbitration (he settled for $8.2 million)

Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com says the issue of playing time for Robert Andino will resolve itself after the Orioles finish their current run of games against National League teams: “(Brian) Roberts was activated from the 60-day disabled list last Tuesday after missing nearly 13 months with the effects of concussions. He retook the second-base job, pushing Robert Andino - who had started 56 games at the position - to a utility role. “Once the DH resumes for Baltimore, Andino will probably start five days a week, with significant time at third base, where he is the best fielder on the roster, as well as through spelling shortstop J.J. Hardy and Roberts.” * * * USA Today's Team Report credits the resurgence in pitching, particularly quality starts , for the success the Orioles are enjoying lately: “Series win by series win, the Orioles are shedding doubters.

ATLANTA - Orioles right-hander Jason Hammel took a no-hitter into the seventh inning tonight against the Braves tonight at Turner Field. Jason Heyward's two-out single to left in the seventh inning broke up Hammel's no-hit bid. Hammel retired 17 straight at one point, allowed just one baserunner -- a walk to Dan Uggla to open the second inning - until issuing another walk to Uggla with two outs in the seventh. Then Heyward came to the plate and lined a 3-1 pitch for a single.

The Orioles have placed right-handed reliever Matt Lindstrom on the disabled list with a right middle finger injury in order to make space on the 25-man roster for tonight's starter, left-hander Dana Eveland. Eveland's contract was purchased from Triple-A Norfolk, and the Orioles designated minor-leaguer Zelous Wheeler for assignment in a corresponding 40-man roster move. Lindstrom allowed his first earned runs of the season in the second game of Thursday's doubleheader (3 runs, two earned, in one inning)