The Orioles have designated 26-year old lefty swinging infielder Scott Moore for assignment. Moore played in 41 games for the O’s this season and he was 18 of 86 (.209 avg, .611 OPS) with 8 runs scored, 3 homers, 10 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. The Orioles needed Moore’s roster spot to activate Brian Roberts from the D.L. Roberts played in 4 games for the Orioles earlier this season and he was 2 of 14 (.143 avg, .464 OPS) with 1 run scored and 2 stolen bases. On his rehab assignment, Roberts played in 8 games in Rookie+AA-ball and he was 14 of 29 (.483 avg, 1.102 OPS) with 4 runs scored and 3 RBIs. The Orioles have to be ecstatic to get a player like Roberts back as they have really missed him this year.

No one could have imagined 29-year old righty reliever Alfredo Simon being the Orioles’ closer at this point in the season, but he is. Simon has pitched in 27 games (0 starts) for the Orioles this year and he is 2-1 with 13 saves, a 3.14 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP. He has walked 15 batters in only 28 2/3 innings this season so he needs to tighten up his control a bit. Simon took advantage of injuries to Mike Gonzalez and Jim Johnson to earn the job as the Orioles’ closer and I think he will keep the job as he has outstanding stuff. But he needs to throw more strikes.