Orioles avoided arbitration with RHP Jason Hammel by agreeing to a one-year, $6.75 million deal. The deal also includes $300,000 in available incentives. The deal is right in the expected range between what Hammel filed for and was offered from the Orioles. He's expected to be ready for the start of spring training, and could be a nice sleeper in the later rounds of fantasy leagues after an impressive 2012 campaign.

Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports that the Orioles continue negotiations with Jason Hammel, and it sounds like a deal will get done. Hammel requested $8.25 million in arbitration and was offered $5.7 million from the Orioles when arbitration figures were exchanged. They seem likely to strike a deal right in the middle of those two figures, which would be a nice raise off the $4.75 million that he made in 2012. Hammel recently said his surgically-repaired knee feels good, and anticipates arriving at spring training without any restrictions.

Jason Hammel said his right knee "feels good" and expects to arrive at spring training without any restrictions. Hammel had arthroscopic surgery on his knee in mid-July, but was able to return for the postseason. He's now completely recovered from the injury and hasn't had any setbacks in his offseason program. Coming off a breakout 2012, Hammel requested $8.25 million and was offered $5.7 million from the Orioles when arbitration figures were exchanged Friday.

Jason Hammel requested $8.25 million and was offered $5.7 million from the Orioles when arbitration figures were exchanged on Friday. Hammel is seeking a big raise from the $4.75 million he made last season after posting a 3.43 ERA and 113/42 K/BB ratio over 118 innings. With such a wide gap between the filings, the two sides have a lot of work to do in order to avoid a hearing next month.

Jason Hammel doesn't think he'll require a second surgery on his injured right knee. Hammel turned in an impressive season for the Orioles, posting an 8-6 record, 3.43 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 113/42 K/BB ratio over 118 innings of work. He's likely to earn a nice raise through arbitration this winter and will front a young and talented Baltimore rotation in 2013.

Jason Hammel pitched well in a losing effort against the Yankees in the decisive Game 5 of the ALDS on Friday, surrendering two runs on four hits over his 5 2/3 innings of work. Hammel punched out six on the afternoon, while walking two (one intentional). He retired the first 12 hitters to start the game until Mark Teixeira singled leading off the fifth inning. He then deftly swiped second base and came around to score on an RBI single from Raul Ibanez. They tacked on an additional run before chasing Hammel in the sixth, courtesy of a walk to Derek Jeter and an RBI double from Ichiro Suzuki. He surely proved his worth to the Orioles this season and should be in line to receive a nice raise through arbitration this offseason.

Jason Hammel will start Game 5 of the ALDS. If the series gets that far. Hammel allowed just two runs on four hits over 5 2/3 innings in his strong Game 1 effort against the Yankees. He's the obvious choice.

Jason Hammel allowed two runs on four hits and struck out five in the Orioles' Game 1 loss to the Yankees. It was a nice return outing for Hammel, who hadn't pitched since September 11. He threw 112 pitches, 70 for strikes, but failed to make it out of the sixth inning after working up a high pitch count. In two playoff starts, Hammel and Joe Saunders have allowed a combined 10 hits, three runs and 2.38 ERA. The Orioles will look to even the series Monday behind Game 2 starter Wei-Yin Chen.

Orioles skipper Buck Showalter announced Saturday that right-hander Jason Hammel will be his starter for Game 1 of the ALDS against the Yankees on Sunday. Hammel hasn't pitched since aggravating his surgically-repaired right knee on September 11, but the righty threw a simulated game earlier this week without any experiencing any issues. He was the O's most reliable starter this season but obviously faces a tough matchup.

The Orioles confirmed Jason Hammel (knee) is a candidate to start Game 1 of the ALDS against the Yankees. Hammel hasn't reported any setbacks since a 73-pitch simulated game Monday, and was the Orioles' most reliable starter for most of the season. Wei-Yin Chen and Miguel Gonzalez are also under consideration.