The Baltimore Orioles are looking for the new voice of Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The search is on for a public address announcer for home games at Oriole Park beginning in 2012, the ballpark’s 20th Anniversary season.

The new public address announcer will be only the third in Camden Yards history, following Rex Barney (1992-97) And David Mcgowan (1998-2011). After 14 seasons as public address announcer at Camden Yards, McGowan has stepped down from the position due to a change in his availability.

“It is with great sadness that I must step down as public address announcer due to a career change,” McGowan said. “I feel so fortunate to have played even a small role in helping Orioles fans enjoy major league baseball in the best ballpark in the country. It has truly been a privilege getting to serve the fans of Baltimore and to work for the Orioles organization.”

Applicants must be available for all 81 home games, as well as any make-up dates or postseason games, starting at least two hours before the scheduled game time. A complete job description can be found at www.orioles.com/voice. Those interested in applying for the position should visit the website to submit a voice recording based on the provided sample gameday script. Submissions will also be accepted via mail at Voice of Camden Yards Audition, 333 West Camden Street, Baltimore, MD 21201. Entries must be received by Jan. 25.

INDIANS: The Indians have agreed to a minor league contract with versatile free-agent infielder Andy LaRoche and invited him to spring training.

He’ll have a chance to win the club’s utility infield job.

Primarily a right-handed hitting third baseman, LaRoche was with Oakland last season. He was on the Athletics’ opening-day roster and spent the first two months with the club. He batted .247 in 40 games and played four infield positions. The 28-year-old was sent to Triple-A Sacramento in June and spent the remainder of the season with the River Cats.

His brother, Adam, plays for Washington and his father, Dave, pitched for 14 seasons in the majors.

Royals: The Kansas City Royals have signed reliever Jose Mijares to a 1-year contract, giving manager Ned Yost another left-handed option late in games.

The team announced the deal yesterday. Terms were not disclosed.

Mijares went 3-6 with a 3.16 ERA in 186 appearances since making his debut for the Twins in 2008, but he was just 0-2 with a 4.59 ERA in 58 games last season.

Mijares is currently 3-0 with a 1.29 ERA in eight outings for Tigres de Aragua in the Venezuelan Winter League, with seven strikeout and no walks.

White Sox: Multiple media outlets were reporting last night that the Chicago White Sox and pitcher John Danks have agreed in principle on a contract extension.

ESPNChicago.com and CBSSports.com, citing anonymous sources, reported the extension is for five years. CBSSports.com also reported the deal is for $65 million and will likely be announced after Christmas, assuming Danks passes a physical.

The White Sox did not return messages seeking comment Wednesday night.

A 15-game winner in 2010, Danks slumped last season and was 8-12 with a 4.33 ERA.

Cubs: A person familiar with the situation says the Chicago Cubs and outfielder Reed Johnson are closing in on a one-year contract.

The person, who spoke yesterday on the condition of anonymity because the deal was not finalized, confirmed reports by several media outlets that Johnson will be signed pending a physical.

Johnson batted .309 in 111 games for the Cubs last season. He was with them in 2008 and 2009 after playing his first five seasons in Toronto and spent 2010 with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Brewers: The Milwaukee Brewers have signed infielder Cesar Izturis and left-hander Juan Perez to minor-league contracts with invitations to spring training.

Izturis has played 11 seasons, including the past three in Baltimore. He played only 18 games for the Orioles last season, spending much of the year on the disabled list with nerve irritation in his right elbow.

NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) – There might not be anyone more excited about playing in Baltimore than New York second baseman Robinson Cano.

Cano looks to continue his torrid hitting at Camden Yards and help the headline-grabbing Yankees remain perfect on the season against the Orioles in Wednesday night’s series opener.

Cano got off to a hot start to the year, batting .319 with eight home runs and 21 RBIs in his first 23 games, but has since cooled off, hitting .228 with a homer and four RBIs in 16 games.

A brief two-game series in Baltimore could help him regain his stroke.

Cano has hit safely in his last 15 games at Camden Yards, batting .531, and is hitting .510 with nine homers, 11 doubles, 19 RBIs and 26 runs in his last 23 games there.

The All-Star second baseman was 4 for 10 with an RBI as New York (21-19) swept a rain-shortened two-game series in Baltimore in April. The Yankees have won the first four meetings of the season with the Orioles (19-21), and are 17-5 against them since last year.

Curtis Granderson, who leads New York with 14 homers, has also enjoyed facing the Orioles, batting .315 with six homers and 24 RBIs in 33 games against them since 2008.

The Yankees arrive in Baltimore after defeating Tampa Bay 6-2 on Tuesday, snapping a six-game losing streak.

“We needed a win,” Joe Girardi said. “I don’t want to say must-win, but as close as you can get to a must-win in the month of May.”

Jorge Posada doubled and singled while batting seventh as the designated hitter in his first start since pulling himself out of the lineup Saturday soon after he was set to bat ninth.

“It feels good to be back in the lineup and be able to contribute,” Posada said.

Alex Rodriguez also finally produced offensively, homering twice. The three-time AL MVP was hitting .171 with a home run and six RBIs in his previous 21 games.

“My struggles have been really unacceptable, but hopefully today was the start of good things to come,” Rodriguez said.

It seems Rodriguez could be poised for another big game considering he is batting .538 with two homers, three doubles and 11 RBIs against the Orioles this season.

Baltimore’s game in Boston on Tuesday was postponed because of rain.

The rainout gave the Orioles, winners of five of seven, another 24 hours to re-evaluate Derrek Lee’s status.

Lee, who suffered a strained left oblique Monday, would have been placed on the disabled list had Tuesday’s game taken place.

“We’ve got another day to look at it to see if there’s any drastic improvement,” Buck Showalter said.

Rookie Zach Britton (5-2, 2.42 ERA) was originally scheduled to start Tuesday but will now make his first career appearance against the Yankees.

The left-hander is coming off his best outing, limiting Seattle to three hits without a walk in nine scoreless innings Thursday. The Orioles, however, failed to score for him for a second straight start. Baltimore eventually won 2-1 in 12 innings.

Britton has yielded one run or fewer in five of eight starts, and the Orioles are 6-2 with him on the mound, compared to 13-19 in starts by other pitchers.

New York counters with Bartolo Colon (2-2, 3.74), who allowed three runs, five hits and three walks in six innings in Friday’s 5-4 loss to Boston.

The right-hander, who threw three scoreless innings of relief against Baltimore on April 14, is 2-2 with a 5.57 ERA in his last four starts versus the Orioles.

What’s your prediction for Yankees-Orioles? Let us know in the comments below…

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BALTIMORE – The Baltimore Orioles prepare to celebrate the ball club’s 20th season at Oriole Park at Camden Yards this year with some new features.The team announced Tuesday numerous renovations primarily focused on the seating bowl, club level, lower concourse and concessions areas.

Seating Bowl

During the off-season, crews replaced seats as part of a deferred maintenance program. Seats on the club level and upper deck are wider than the previous seats, and sightlines for fans on both of those levels are improved, as new, less intrusive railings enhance the view of those sitting in the first few rows of both levels, as well as fans sitting in and around upper deck equal access and companion seats.

Club Level

On the club level, drink rail seating was installed down the left field and right field lines to accommodate more than 100 fans. Additionally, 15 field-view bistro tables were installed in the left field club level in sections 282 through 288.Based on these and other improvements, the seating capacity of Oriole Park at Camden Yards has been reduced to 45,971 from 48,290.

Lower-Level Concourse

On the lower-level concourse, crews installed murals and refurbished entrances in an effort to create a more inviting atmosphere, the team said.Crews also installed new billboards throughout the lower concourse that celebrate historic milestones, including the three World Series Championships, Cal Ripken’s record-setting 2,131st game and the opening of Oriole Park at Camden Yards.

Concessions

The Orioles and new concessions and retail operator Delaware North Sportservice have collaborated on an $11 million project to redesign and enhance the food and beverage stands at the ballpark, the first effort of this magnitude since Camden Yards opened in 1992.

As part of the investment, new concessions-related technology has been added, including a point-of-sale system that will allow for “belly-up” style service, enhancing customer service and shortening wait times, the team said in a statement.New grills and other equipment have also been added so that a wider variety of food items can be prepared fresh in front of fans.

Concessions stands have undergone a significant rebranding and makeover, including new stand names, graphics and food and beverage offerings. The newly re-branded concessions stands include:

• O What a Dog!
• Baltimore Chop House
• Das Sausage Haus
• Baseline Burgers
• By the Slice Pizza

More permanent kiosks have also been added to the concourse areas to allow for a greater variety of food and beverage offerings, including Old Bay Seafood and Polock Johnny’s Famous Polish Sausage.The renovations include three new bars and restaurants at Camden Yards. Café 54 — named in honor of the year Major League Baseball returned to Baltimore — will be located on the south end of Eutaw Street.Natty Boh Bar, featuring National Bohemian beer and “early bird” specials, will be found on the first base side of the lower concourse.Free State Pub, featuring local Maryland and regional craft and specialty beers, will be located on the third base side of the lower concourse.You can catch the Orioles games on the radio at WBAL 1090 AM. Share Your Orioles Photos: Make sure you upload them to the Sports category, then select the Orioles sub-category for them to appear in the slideshow below and have the best chance of being used on air. Please include a description and the location of the photo as well.Start sharing today! Not a member? Join u local — it’s free and easy.