26-year old lefty swinging infielder Scott Moore is really playing well for the Baltimore Orioles so far this season. Moore has played in 26 games this season for the Orioles and he is 15 of 54 (.278 avg, .711 OPS) with 5 runs scored, 2 homers, 7 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. Moore’s versatility will help him continue to get playing time for the O’s as he can handle 1B, 2B or 3B defensively. His emergence likely led to the Orioles getting rid of Garrett Atkins and that’s a good thing. The Orioles hope he can keep up the good work.

The Baltimore Orioles have designated 30-year old righty swinging 1B Garrett Atkins for assignment. He played in 44 games for the O’s this season and he was 30 of 140 (.214 avg, .562 OPS) with 5 runs scored, 1 homer and 9 RBIs. Atkins was a complete bust for the Orioles who gave him a 1-year, $4.5 million dollar deal over last winter. I thought it was foolish to buy on a player like Atkins who never has hit too well away from Coors Field. The Orioles can’t afford to waste money like they did on Atkins if they want to compete in the American League East. The Orioles have activated 35-year old righty reliever Koji Uehara from the D.L. to replace Atkins on the active roster. Uehara has pitched in 6 games (0 starts) for the O’s this season and he is 0-0 with a 1.80 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. Uehara will likely boost the bullpen as he has pitched well for the Orioles when healthy the last two years.

UPDATE: (7/6/2010) - The Orioles have released Garrett Atkins. No loss there.

The Orioles have placed 28-year old righty swinging outfielder Lou Montanez on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left oblique muscle. Montanez has played in 26 games for the Orioles this season and he is 8 of 57 (.140 avg, .296 OPS) with 2 runs scored, 3 RBIs and 1 stolen base. He will be replaced on the active roster by 24-year old righty starting pitcher Brad Bergesen who will make the start for the Orioles tonight. Bergesen has pitched in 12 games (10 starts) for the Orioles so far this season and he is 3-4 with a 6.50 ERA and a 1.72 WHIP. He has allowed 75 hits in only 54 innings this season and he has only whiffed 14 batters this year. Bergesen needs to start missing more bats soon or he will be right back in the minors.

25-year old righty David Hernandez’ overall numbers are not that impressive. He has pitched in 18 games (8 starts) for the Orioles this season and he is 2-6 with 2 saves, a 4.64 ERA and a 1.49 WHIP. But he has taken to his new role in the bullpen where he doesn’t have to pace himself letting him attack batters with his 95+ plus fastball. Hernandez has pitched 10 games out of the pen and he is 1-1 with 2 saves, a 2.25 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP. He also has whiffed 13 batters in only 12 innings out of the pen. It looks as if the Orioles have found a role that Hernandez can excel in, making the pitching staff as a whole better.

The Orioles have designated 27-year old righty reliever Cla Meredith for assignment to make room on the roster for Jake Fox. Meredith has pitched in 21 games (0 starts) for the Orioles this season and he is 0-2 with 1 save, a 5.40 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP. In parts of two years with the Orioles, Meredith has worked in 50 games (0 starts) in which he is 0-2 with 1 save, a 4.33 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. Some team that’s hurting for a reliever might give the O’s a little something for Meredith.