Orioles manager Dave Trembley said that Freddie Bynum is the team's new starting shortstop.
Bynum isn't a great defensive shortstop, but incumbent Luis Hernandez hadn't been playing very well either. Bynum is a a career .259 hitter, but he's never gotten the chance to play regularly. He should be monitored in AL-only leagues, especially by owners looking for steals, but the Orioles won't hesitate to keep making changes at the position.
Source: Washington Post May. 9 - 9:01 am et

Daniel Cabrera pitched a gem for the Orioles Thursday night, allowing just one run while going the distance against the Royals in a 4-1 Baltimore victory.
Cabrera allowed just three hits and one walk while striking out seven in his fifth career complete game. He induced 19 ground balls, compared to only two fly balls. The towering righty simply stymied the Royals lineup, retiring 12 straight batters at one point and then, after giving up a pair of singles and a walk, setting down the last 13 batters he faced. Cabrera has settled in after a poor start and holds a 2.40 ERA over his last six times out. May. 8 - 11:23 pm et

Nick Markakis provided all the offense for the Orioles in their 4-1 victory over the Royals Thursday night, scoring on a wild pitch after walking in the first inning, then ripping a three-run homer in the fourth.
Markakis now has seven homers and 25 walks on the year, and sports an 869 OPS. May. 8 - 11:22 pm et

Orioles activated infielder-outfielder Freddie Bynum from the 15-day disabled list.
Bynum had been out since the spring following knee surgery. He could be in line for significant time against right-handers if the Orioles are willing to live with his glove. AL-only leaguers should keep an eye on him. May. 8 - 6:53 pm et

Orioles optioned infielder Eider Torres to Triple-A Norfolk.
Torres went 2-for-9 in eight appearances for the Orioles. He's probably not going to have a long-term future as a utilityman. May. 8 - 6:51 pm et

Brandon Tripp homered twice and drove in five runs Wednesday for Single-A Frederick.
Tripp is no better than the fourth-best prospect in Frederick's loaded lineup, but he still has the potential to reach the majors. The 23-year-old is hitting .288/.362/.519 in the Carolina League. May. 8 - 11:15 am et

Jeremy Guthrie received a no-decision Wednesday against the A's, allowing four runs in 5 2/3 innings.
He struck out six and walked three, and was taken off the hook for a loss by the A's bullpen. Guthrie predictably hasn't pitched as well as he did last season and has just one victory, but hasn't allowed more than four runs in a start since his first outing of the year. George Sherrill came into a jam in the eighth inning and retired all five batters he faced, yet was charged with his first blown save because a run scored when Luis Hernandez's slow relay to second base ruined a potential inning-ending double play. May. 7 - 7:09 pm et

Steve Trachsel will start Friday in Kansas City.
Manager Dave Trembley had been non-committal when asked about demoting the struggling starter. "I would say that there's not going to be any review and he will make his next start... I've never thought about putting him in the bullpen... I don't see a reason to even think about doing that now," Trembley said. Perhaps he thinks the first number in Trachsel's ERA is just a one with a tail, and not a seven.
Source: Baltimore Sun May. 6 - 8:52 am et

An examination by Dr. James Andrews revealed no structural damage in Adam Loewen's arm.
Still, Loewen could miss up to six more weeks with the soreness in his elbow. He will head to extended spring break in Florida, where he'll spend the next two or three weeks on a throwing program.
Source: Washington Post May. 6 - 8:43 am et

Garrett Olson wasn't involved in the decision after allowing one run in 6 1/3 innings Monday against the A's.
Olson struck out seven. He didn't improve to 2-0, but he likely did solidify his hold on a rotation spot with Adam Loewen sidelined. If he keeps this up, he'll remain in the majors the rest of the year. May. 6 - 1:20 am et