Outfielder

The Orioles have outrighted outfielder Steve Pearce to Triple-A Norfolk, the team announced today. Pearce spent two separate stints with the Orioles last season, hitting .254/.321/.437 in 28 games with the big league club. He also spent time with the Houston Astros and New York Yankees last season. The Orioles signed Pearce to a major-league contract just before last month's deadline to tender contracts to arbitration eligible players. So the move could be an indicator that the Orioles need Pearce's 40-man roster spot to make an upcoming move.

Orioles outfielder Nolan Reimold has a slight tear in his right hamstring that's causing nerve pain in his upper leg, a club source said Wednesday. Reimold, who hasn't played since May 11, had MRIs on both his lower back and hamstring. The injury could keep him out for several more weeks. Given his ongoing discomfort, manager Buck Showalter said it would be a “challenge” for Reimold to return from the disabled list when he's eligible Tuesday. Showalter said he hopes Reimold will take batting practice while the team is away for a weekend series in Toronto.

The Orioles have agreed to terms on a minor-league deal with Cuban outfielder Henry Urrutia, a club source has confirmed. The 25-year-old Urrutia received a signing bonus of $778,500. Executive vice president Dan Duquette said the team hasn't officially signed Urrutia, but he said the player was taking a physical. "We like him. He is a good hitter," Duquette said. "He's had several good years in Cuba. He's established residency in Haiti. Currently, he is in the Dominican.” While Urrutia didn't draw the attention that fellow Cuban defector outfielders Yoenis Cespedes and Jorge Soler did -- he doesn't project to have the upside of the other two -- the 6-foot-3, 180-pound corner outfielder is still one of the top players available out of Cuba.

Xavier Avery is not satisfied. Since being taken in the second round by the Orioles in 2008, the 23-year-old outfielder has risen through the minor league system and consistently found himself listed among the organization's best prospects. Last season, he played 32 games in three stints with the big league club and spent the rest of the year with Triple-A Norfolk. But after just a brief look this spring, Avery finds himself at Double-A Bowie, a victim of improved outfield depth in the organization, as he battles for another shot to impress the Orioles.

The Orioles have added to their outfield surplus by announcing the minor league signing of Chris Dickerson. The 30-year-old Dickerson, who will receive a spring training invite, joins a crowded Orioles roster of veteran outfielders not on the 40-man roster:  holdovers Steve Pearce and Lew Ford, as well as Jason Pridie and infielder/outfielder Conor Jackson. In addition, Adam Greenberg, who made headlines last year with one at-bat for the Miami Marlins, was signed to a minor league deal.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Orioles are pushing to add another outfielder, and if they can't re-sign free agent left fielder Nate McLouth, they are trolling for other options, including former New York Yankees first baseman-outfielder Nick Swisher and former Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Nate Schierholtz. During the second day of baseball's annual winter meetings at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel, Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette said he met with about a half dozen representatives of free agents and another five teams about potential trades.

Kevin Mooney was an All-Metro first-team performer last season, and his 0.77 ERA was striking. But this season was something else. The right-hander pitched a perfect game in the Class 3A state semifinals, taking the Hawks to the state final for the first time in team history. "It seemed the more important the game, the more focused he became," North Harford coach Tim Lattimore said. "He saved his best for last, but all season he was so determined. Nerves never got to him. " Mooney went 9-1, bringing his varsity win total to 24, and he struck out 114 batters to reach 301 for his career.

Former Orioles outfielder Danny Clyburn was shot and killed early this morning in his home town of Lancaster, S.C., according to a report in the Rock Hill (S.C.) Herald. According to police reports, Clyburn, who played sparingly for the Orioles in 1997 and 1998, was seen by witnesses arguing with a man shortly before he was shot. He was found dead in the front yard of a home at 2 a.m. Derrick Lamont Mcilwain, 36, has been arrested and charged with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime.

Orioles outfielder Endy Chavez, who struggled with injuries and at the plate in the first half of the season, was activated off the disabled list Friday. Chavez, who hit .162 in 105 at bats while missing 47 days during two separate DL stints, said he hasn't felt this healthy since spring training and just wants to put a forgettable first half behind him. “I know I had a very difficult first half. I'm trying to get myself clear and leave that in the past and just start over in the second half,” Chavez said.

Los Angeles Angels outfield phenom Mike Trout, who led the American League in stolen bases and runs scored and made several incredible defensive plays, including his signature one at the wall at Camden Yards, was named the unanimous AL Rookie of the Year by the BBWAA, it was announced Monday night. In the National League, Washington Nationals 19-year-old outfielder Bryce Harper became the second youngest to win the award, behind only the New York Mets' Dwight Gooden in 1984. He received all 28 first place votes, the eighth in the AL to win unanimously and the first since Tampa Bay's Evan Longoria in 2008.

It's not the bubble-gum chewing - let's get that out of the way first. He's been chewing gum and blowing bubbles during games since he was a little kid. And it's not his hot-dogging style. Adam Jones has always played center field with a certain flair and showmanship, and that was good enough to win two Gold Gloves. But he's definitely struggling in the outfield. And at times, such as last night's 8-3 Orioles loss to the Mariners, it can be painful to watch - especially when you think about all the great plays he's made for this team over the past five years.

There's really only one subject that is necessary to discuss after the Orioles' 8-3 loss to the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday. Yes, Wei-Yin Chen had his worst start of the season. And UMBC product Zach Clark made his big league debut. There's also a legitimate chance that the Orioles will add another arm for the Los Angeles Angels series. It's possible Clark could get sent back to Triple-A Norfolk since it is likely he is out as Saturday's spot starter after throwing 36 pitches on Wednesday.

BOWIE - On his first off day as an Orioles minor leaguer, Double-A Bowie outfielder Henry Urrutia took a trip to Baltimore, where he got a tour of Camden Yards - the place he hopes his uphill and divot-filled baseball journey reaches its pinnacle. Thursday, Urrutia checked out the Orioles clubhouse, strolled up the steps of the home dugout and walked onto the field, where he took a 360-degree look around him and soaked in what seemed impossible growing up in Cuba. It was a memorable trip for the 26-year-old Urrutia - because it was the truest sign yet that his dream of playing in the big leagues was in reach.

OAKLAND, Calif. - When Orioles center fielder Adam Jones came off the Oakland Coliseum field after the bottom of second inning Thursday, he threw his glove dejectedly into the dugout and then made a pronouncement: "I'm going to pick us up. I got it. " A few batters later, Jones doubled to give the Orioles a 3-2 lead in a game in which they won 10-2. It was important for Jones, who was hitting .359 heading into Friday, to come up big with the bat. Because the two-time Gold Glove outfielder has been uncharacteristically shaky in the field since the season started.

BOWIE -- Before his first professional home game for Double-A Bowie on Friday night, Cuban outfielder Henry Urrutia said he'd be a little nervous playing in front of the crowd at Prince George's Stadium. He certainly didn't show any anxiousness when he stepped to the plate for his first at-bat to open the second inning. Urrutia,  the Cuban defector whom the Orioles signed to a $778,500 signing bonus in July, smoked the first pitch he saw from Harrisburg starter Brian Broderick over the center-field fence, an estimated 405 feet.

BOSTON - Outfielder Chris Dickerson, who was abruptly removed in the first inning of Tuesday's game at Triple-A Norfolk, will join the Orioles Wednesday in Boston. A corresponding 25-man roster move to add Dickerson is uncertain. Orioles manager Buck Showalter said Monday he was optimistic outfielder Nolan Reimold, who left Sunday's game with a right hamstring injury, could avoid a disabled list stint with Tuesday's off day and a right-hander pitcher slated to pitch for Boston on Wednesday - which would give the right-handed hitting Reimold two extra days off. Since Dickerson is under a minor league contract, the Orioles would need to add him to the 40-man roster.

Paul Blair remembers Dave May, who broke into baseball with the Orioles and spent 3-1/2 seasons here, as a skilled outfielder who was in the right place, but at the wrong time. "Unfortunately, when he got here (in 1967), there wasn't any room for him to play. He just couldn't break into our lineup," said Blair, the Orioles standout center fielder who was flanked by Frank Robinson and Don Buford. May died Saturday of cancer. The New Castle, Del., native was 68. A reserve with the Orioles, he hit .216 before being dealt to Milwaukee in mid-1970.

The senior shortstop-outfielder led the Greyhounds (12-4) to a 4-1 record last week. Tilley came through offensively and defensively late in a dramatic 9-8 win over No. 14 Mount St. Joseph in the President's Cup semifinal game Saturday. He hit a two-run home run in the top of the seventh inning to give the Greyhounds the lead and then helped end the game in the bottom of the frame when he turned a double play at shortstop. Tilley batted .436 in the five games, including two home runs, two doubles, eight RBIs, eight runs scored, two stolen bases and a sacrifice fly. Gilman also had wins over Georgetown Prep, McDonogh and St. Paul's early in the week before losing to Archbishop Spalding.

SARASOTA, Fla. - Because of the surplus of minor league outfield depth the Orioles have, outfielders Xavier Avery and Lew Ford will open the season at Double-A Bowie, executive vice president Dan Duquette said Sunday. Ford, 36, had a strong spring, compiling a .405/.463/.643 batting line with three doubles, two homers and six RBIs in 37 Grapefruit League at-bats. Ford came to the Orioles on a minor league deal last season, signed from the independent league Long Island Ducks and played 25 games with the Orioles last season, hitting .183/.256/.352 with three homers and four RBIs.