Friday Bird Droppings

Heath Bintliff: Addition by subtraction for Orioles offense? - MASN
"If you subscribe to the theory that you cleanup hitter makes the offense go, Guerrero has been the worst candidate to do so. As a cleanup hitter, Guerrero has a .282/.319/.390 batting line. Occupying a position in the lineup reserved for power hitters, Guerrero's slugging percentage for the season is a meager .385, the lowest among the Baltimore regulars (except, of course, the carousel of light-hitting second baseman the team has trotted out this season). Guerrero is also last among regulars in extra-base hits (even Derrek Lee has pulled ahead of him) and he has a paltry 31 RBIs."

School of Roch: Is it time to activate Scott? - MASN
"The Orioles will have a big decision to make once the season ends. Scott has another year of arbitration before he becomes a free agent, and the club could choose to non-tender him. But first things first. Santana is waiting for him. It might be a good time to let them get reacquainted."

Scott has big night at Bowie; Gregg thinks Johnson could start - baltimoresun.com
"After taking a couple of days off to rest his sore right shoulder, Orioles outfielder Luke Scott continued his rehab assignment tonight for Double-A Bowie, and the Baysox were happy that he did. Batting third and serving as the Baysox designated hitter tonight against the Trenton Thunder, Scott is 3-for-4 with a double, two homers, six RBIs and three runs scored."

Pitcher Jim Johnson is Orioles' renaissance man - baltimoresun.com
"About two weeks after his 2010 season ended, Jim Johnson walked into a classroom at the State College of Florida-Bradenton campus, settled his 6-foot-5, 230-pound frame behind a table, and put his right arm through an entirely different test. For about two hours, Johnson, wearing a T-shirt, shorts and flip flops, took an exam to complete a written communications course. First, he answered questions, then he penned a short essay. The presence of a major league pitcher in the room couldn't have mattered less. On this day, Johnson was just like any other student — albeit a 28-year-old one — working toward a college degree."

Orioles can't "Buck" the negativity | NJ.com
"The Baltimore Orioles are well on their way to a 14th consecutive losing season and apparently there is nothing Buck Showalter can do about it." Thanks for noticing, New Jersey.