It looks like Wei-Yin Chen will be on the disabled list. I figured that would happen, it did not look good for Chen when he was on the mound Sunday. He was diagnosed with an oblique strain.

Considering that Chen is perhaps the most consistent starter on the team, it remains to be seen what will happen with the Orioles.

From the Baltimore Orioles: Orioles place LHP Wei-Yin Chen on 15-day disabled list

RHP Alex Burnett and INF Yamaico Navarro recalled from Norfolk

The Orioles today announced that they have placed LHP WEI-YIN CHEN on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to May 13, with a right oblique strain. The club has also recalled RHP ALEX BURNETT and INF YAMAICO NAVARRO from Triple-A Norfolk.

Chen was injured during his Sunday start at Minnesota in which he picked up his third win of the year with five scoreless innings. Chen is 3-3 with a 3.04 ERA (47.1IP,16ER) in eight starts for the Orioles. Chen led the Orioles with 32 starts in 2012.

Burnett, 25, joins the Orioles for the third time this year (also April 22-24 and May 9-10). He appeared in one game, allowing one hit and striking out one in a scoreless inning May 9 against Kansas City. In seven games with Triple-A Norfolk, Burnett was 1-0 with a 1.86 ERA (9.2IP, 2ER) and eight strikeouts.

Navarro, 25, returns for a second stint with the Orioles as he was with the club April 5-6 but did not see game action. In 34 games with Norfolk, Navarro was batting .303 (37-122) with two homers and 13 RBI. He scored 28 runs in those 34 games and posted a .395 on-base percentage for the Tides.

Also, Ken Rosenthal tweeted this a bit ago. The Orioles will bring up a familiar name to a lot of fans. Yes, Jair Jurrjens will probably be promoted to the Orioles and will start against the Tampa Bay Rays this Saturday.

Sources: Jurrjens will make #Orioles debut Saturday against #Rays. 3.14 ERA in 8 starts at AAA, 36 Ks, 15 BBs, 2 HRs allowed in 51 2/3 IP.

I wrote about him this winter. Again, if Jair Jurrjens is healthy and shows any of the ability he had in Atlanta, then the Orioles will be very well off.

However, I am still a bit concerned about his numbers during the 2012 season, but who knows if he suffered through injuries, or whatever else. His numbers in Norfolk were okay but for everyone’s sake, let’s hope gambling on him will work wonders. With the starting rotation struggling at points so far this season, maybe he can deliver a solid start. We hope.

The Orioles face the San Diego Padres for a two-game set starting tonight. Chris Tillman is on the hill on tonight, and Freddy Garcia will go on Wednesday.

The Baltimore Orioles had another successful weekend, taking yet another series against the Minnesota Twins. They won two out of three games, thanks to the offense and work by the bullpen. The starting pitching has not been great; however, on Sunday, Wei-Yin Chen was rolling and perhaps headed another brilliant performance until the fifth inning.

Towards the end of the frame, Chen looked to be in pain. From media accounts, he exited the game with an oblique strain and it is unknown the severity of the injury at this time. It was a moment that made me wince and say to myself, “oh s**t, please tell me he’s not gone for a long time…”

So far, Chen is the one starter who can be counted on to go deep into games. The other arms in the rotation – while they have not been horrendous – have not been nearly as consistent as Chen.

Based on that, as well as injuries, the Orioles once again having relying on spot starts and using the depth in the minor league system to patch things together. They are 23-15 and trail the surprising New York Yankees by a game in the division -- which is great; however, if the Orioles are to keep up their successful start to the season so far into the summer, they’ll need to address those problems if they become serious.

If Chen is hurt and on the shelf for a significant amount of time, Chris Tillman and especially Jason Hammel will need to step it up. I believe pitching is 90 percent of the game and the offense can’t carry them a team all of the time.

The organization handled their roster brilliantly last season and may need to follow the same script again in 2013.

Last night’s game looked lost for the Orioles. I was listening to the game on my way to western Pennsylvania and it seemed liked they were headed to a loss against the Minnesota Twins. Jason Hammel – who started the game – was off; the Orioles were mired in a six-run deficit and shutout in the first six innings, plus the offense seemed to be non-existent.

However, business started to pick up for Baltimore in the final two-thirds of the game. The offense woke in the latter third of the contest and they scored three runs in both the sixth and seventh innings to tie things at six; then, in the tenth inning, the Orioles plated in three runs and decided the game once and for all.

The bullpen – T.J. McFarland, Tommy Hunter and Jim Johnson – pitched six innings of relief and helped Baltimore earn their 22^nd win of the season. They have won seven out of their last eight series and are doing their best to keep up pace with the New York Yankees and Red Sox.

The offense pounded out eighteen hits last night and every batter – except Matt Wieters – had a hit. Manny Machado, Adam Jones and Chris Davis each had three hits; meanwhile, Mick Markakis, Nate McLouth, Alexi Casilla and Chris Dickerson each had two.hits.

The league knows now that the Orioles will play every out in the game and not give up.

That is what winning franchises do and the Orioles are for real. They are maturing and becoming a force in the American League. The Birds have moved far away from the losing culture of the past and are now expected to compete.

Despite the win, the Orioles they some work to do. In light of the win yesterday and the offense pounding out the hits – especially doubles – they need another bat.

They also need a designated hitter in a bad way.

I didn’t think that Mark Reynolds being not offered a contract would be a big deal; however, on second thought, they could have used him this year. Yes, Reynolds strikes out zillion times a season, but still gets on base and is launching the ball out for the Cleveland Indians.

He has eleven home runs for the Tribe.

The point I am making when I reference Reynolds is that the Orioles are getting little production from the bottom half of their lineup. In order to compete in the American League East, they seriously need a designated hitter with some pop, who can hit at a decent clip and get on base.

The guys that Baltimore have had bat in the lineup in the designated hitter role have not hacked it at all so far.

Looking back, the Wilson Betemit injury was detrimental to the team. The lack of offense from guys such as Steve Pearce and Nolan Reimold are making the position into a black hole. If for some reason the aforementioned players are hurt or can’t contribute as the spring and summer go on, the Oriole may have to make a trade for a bat.

As of now, the Orioles are fine with their offense, but they need more productive from the designated hitter spot – along with the bottom of the lineup.

The Baltimore Orioles are successful. They are a successful baseball team. They are winning consistently, honestly, and they are doing it with ease. I sit here on a beautiful overcast Baltimore morning and the Orioles are currently tied with the Boston Red Sox with the best record in the American League.

How do I process this?

How does a long suffering Orioles fan deal with success?

I am used to failure, I am used to struggle. I am used to talking about what moves need to be made for the immediate and long-term future.

Last year the Orioles exorcised the demons of a decade and a half of misery. Broken promises, busted players, bad decisions, and downright bad luck were the hallmarks of this team. Still, many did not believe this team was ACTUALLY good. They were simply the luckiest team in baseball history because that fit the narrative. The narrative being the Orioles stink and are perpetually playing for five years down the road. There was no way in the world that the Orioles could have actually turned the corner, that can’t happen. They would most certainly come back down to Earth with a cretaceous-like explosion.

The narrative has clearly changed.

The narrative has changed and I feel as if I am witnessing history being written with this team. I see Manny Machado having so much quiet success, Chris Davis becoming the player he always should have been, Adam Jones leading by example and voice; all of it right before my eyes and I have no clue how to deal with it.

I am so content with the team right now I can’t muster the care to whine about Jones’ two weeks of bad defense or the Orioles black hole of offense at second base. Nights when my twitter feed gets packed with heated debate and snarky comments about misplays and bad decisions I feel as though I want to scream: “THEY HAVE THE BEST RECORD IN BASEBALL! SHUT THE HELL UP AND ENJOY IT!”

Now, I am not blind the things I mentioned above need to be addressed. Jones will play better defense, he already has been since a spate of the yips. Second base needs to be addressed sooner or later, I am not sure how long the team can go on absorbing such poor offense out of that spot. The starting rotation needs a tweak; Tillman is settling in, Chen has been solid, Gonzalez has been effective, and Steve Johnson should help. But right now, I really don’t care about those things. With all these problems the Orioles currently sit tied atop the American League. With all these problems the Orioles offense ranks second in runs scored in the AL. With all these problems the Orioles pitching staff sits comfortably in the middle of the AL with a sub-four ERA.

Moreover, the Orioles aren’t winning in some weird completely unsustainable fashion. They aren’t just barely squeaking by with one-run wins this year. They aren’t relying on homers and they have been simply put, remarkable with runners in scoring position. So far this year, as a team, with RISP the Orioles are batting .289/.635/.461/.826. That is how you consistently win baseball games.

The Orioles seeming to be cruising right now, you can see it in their eyes they are used to winning and aim to keep doing it. 

Too bad to see about this about Miguel Gonzalez; however, it is probably for the best at this point. It is early in the season and better to rest him now with the blister issue than later.

Gonzalez being lost could be a minor blow to the team considering how well he pitched last season. I would not be too alarmed as the Orioles have depth right now in their system and are playing very well at the moment.

Orioles recall RHP Alex Burnett from Triple-A Norfolk

RHP Miguel Gonzalez placed on 15-day disabled list

The Orioles today announced that they have recalled RHP ALEX BURNETT from Triple-A Norfolk and placed RHP MIGUEL GONZALEZ on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to May 4, with a right thumb blister.

Burnett, 25, had one earlier stint with the Orioles, April 22-24, but did not appear in a game. He is 1-0 with a 0.96 ERA (9.1IP, ER) in six relief appearances for the Tides this season, with eight strikeouts and no walks. Burnett was claimed by the Orioles off waivers from Toronto on April 12. He went 4-4 with a 3.52 ERA (71.2IP, 28ER) in 67 appearances for Minnesota in 2012.

Gonzalez, 28, is 2-2 with a 4.58 ERA (35.1IP, 18ER) in six starts this season. He left his last start, May 3 against the Angels, after 6.0 innings because of the blister.

In August of 2012, the Baltimore Orioles were in the wild card hunt and desperate to solve a problem – third base.

As we all know from last season, former Oriole Mark Reynolds despite his power was struggling at the hot corner, and executive vice president Dan Duquette, the front office, along with manager Buck Showalter were looking for a solution.

In the middle of that month, the Baltimore Orioles did something bold and head-scratching at the same time. They promoted Manny Machado from Double-A Bowie to the majors.

At first, I was bewildered at the news. I wondered why they would promote a 20-year-old who was only hitting .266 at the time with eleven home runs in 400 or so at-bats at Bowie?

Furthermore, the organization announced Machado would play third base – a position he manned only twice in the minors. When I heard that, I too shook my head; however, if Machado could play much better than Reynolds at third, then why not?

I was a little concerned that the organization would rush the youngster and perhaps impede his development.

Obviously, Duquette and Showalter knew their personnel very well and took a roll of the dice with the youngster. As Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal revealed this week, the Orioles were doing their best to get Machado acclimated to the position throughout the summer of that year.

Machado was the team’s first round draft pick in 2010, seemed to be from a good pedigree. The Baltimore front office and Showalter figured that he could handle the pressure of third base, the rigors of the majors and play a role in a pennant race.

The Baltimore Orioles succeeded all expectations – and then some – in 2012.

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I would not necessarily call this major news; however, this week, Oriole left Wei-Yin switched agents.

He has hired Scott Boras. You all know who he is.

From the Baltimore Sports Report: Wei-Yin Chen has hired super agent Scott Boras to represent him according to a tweet from Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. The O’s lefty signed a three year, $11.388 million deal with Baltimore prior to the 2012 season and has impressed in his first 38 big league starts.

MLB Trade Rumors and Orioles Hangout have more of the news.

A co-worker with the company I work for stopped me in the hallway and mentioned this to me.

Then he went into a diatribe on how Scott Boras is the worst things that happened to baseball, and on and on.

I say ‘whatever’.

Right now, Chen going to Scott Boras isn’t a big deal. He’s with the team until 2014, and has an option for 2015. It’s not like his deal is up after the season.

As for Boras, I have nothing against him as a fan – or blogger. He’s good at his job, seems to have a lot of players under his stable and does well for his clients.

Hell, professional – and even collegiate sports – is a big business.

Put it this way: If a headhunter got you a job at company A for $75,000 or company B at $110,000 per year, plus perks, health insurance, retirement and more --- which one would you choose?

Baseball players think the same way we do. Most of the time.

The sport of baseball – especially Major League Baseball and its 30 teams – is a huge money maker.

Well, considering the value of teams really don’t depreciate (unless you are the Miami Marlins), plus with the proliferation of regional television networks and additional revenue streams in the sport – why should players not get their share?

The sport of baseball is not egalitarian – it’s a business. It’s a dog eat dog world out there, and as a lefty who has been able to stay healthy so far in his short career, Chen is setting himself up for a lucrative future.

Chen may flame out, or be in the league 15 years; therefore, he should get what can when the time for a new contract comes up.

If the Orioles want to keep Chen in a few years, they’ll find a way to make it happen.

If it doesn’t happen, it is what it is.

From the good folks at the Baltimore Orioles...

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Orioles launch Vote Orange Rewards Program for fans to help send O's Players to the 2013 MLB All-Star Game

In-park voting begins today, online voting open at Orioles.com

Orioles ask fans to nominate a veteran to represent the team at the 2013 MLB All-Star Game

The Orioles are proud to support Major League Baseball in the PEOPLE Magazine Tribute for Heroes program and are asking fans to nominate a veteran to represent the Baltimore Orioles at the 2013 MLB All-Star Game.

Fans may nominate a veteran who has served, or is still serving in the armed forces at www.tributeforheroes.com and are encouraged to include information about the nominee's extraordinary military, community service, personal and professional accomplishments. One veteran or active military service member will be selected to represent each major league team at the 2013 MLB All-Star Game on July 16 at Citi Field in New York. The nomination deadline is May 17.

The Orioles are fortunate to be surrounded by dedicated military personnel throughout our region, and the organization appreciates all of those who risk their lives each day for our country. To learn about the Orioles' military programs, including Military Sundays, ticket discounts and more, fans should visit www.orioles.com/military.