Orioles reassign Paul Janish and Jayson Nix

Orioles reassign Paul Janish and Jayson Nix
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles reassigned infielders Paul Janish and Jayson Nix to minor league camp following tonight's 3-2 win over the Braves in the final home exhibition game of 2015. Both players will be assigned to Triple-A Norfolk. Janish is projected as the starting shortstop and Nix as a utility infielder. The camp roster is down to 33 players. The deadline for setting the 25-man roster is 3 p.m. Sunday. Janish, slowed early in spring training after undergoing surgery to remove bone...

Ubaldo Jimenez all smiles after latest start (Orioles win 3-2)

Ubaldo Jimenez all smiles after latest start (Orioles win 3-2)
ORIOLES QUICK WRAP Score: Orioles 3, Braves 2 Recap: Ubaldo Jimenez allowed one run and three hits in four innings, with one walk and five strikeouts. He threw 61 pitches, 43 for strikes. Eric Young Jr. singled in the first and scored on Jace Peterson's double, but Jimenez retired the last eight batters he faced and 11 of 12. Brad Brach retired the Braves in order with a strikeout in the fifth. Brian Matusz had a walk and strikeout in two-thirds of an inning, and Darren O'Day struck out the...

Jimenez hit on ankle, but stays in game (Jimenez goes four innings)

Jimenez hit on ankle, but stays in game (Jimenez goes four innings)
SARASOTA, Fla. - With the injuries piling up late in camp, the Orioles almost lost starting pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez tonight. Jimenez was hit on a right ankle by a sharp bouncer from Braves catcher Christian Bethancourt leading off the top of the second inning. Manager Buck Showalter and head athletic trainer Richie Bancells raced out of the dugout as Jimenez limped around the mound. Jimenez threw a few warmup tosses, Showalter patted him on the back and play resumed without a pitching change. No...

Showalter on Paredes, Norris and more

Showalter on Paredes, Norris and more
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles need to get out of Florida before they run out of players. Or at least break camp before they start breaking bones. Jimmy Paredes hasn't played since Tuesday and now we know the reason. He strained a muscle in his lower back a few days ago while lifting weights and he's likely headed to the disabled list. Paredes squatted to pick up a weight, straightened and injured his back. He received treatment again today. "It's legit," said manager Buck Showalter. "He...

Jimmy Paredes expected to go on DL

Jimmy Paredes expected to go on DL
SARASOTA, Fla. - Infielder Jimmy Paredes could begin the season on the 15-day disabled list with a strained muscle in his lower back. The injury occurred a few days ago while Paredes was lifting weights at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. He hasn't played since Tuesday. Paredes would join catcher Matt Wieters, shortstop J.J Hardy and outfielder David Lough on the DL. However, Paredes wouldn't be eligible to return until April 16, five days later than the others in the group. Paredes, who's out...

Updating Hardy, Lough and Gonzalez

Updating Hardy, Lough and Gonzalez
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy passed along another encouraging report today regarding the strained muscle in his left shoulder. Hardy was told Monday that he would be shut down a minimum of 10 days after undergoing an MRI arthrogram on his shoulder. He's headed to the disabled list and won't be eligible to return before April 11, but the swelling has been reduced and his optimism seems to be rising. "It's been good so far," Hardy said. "I feel like every day there's been...

Orioles lineup vs. Braves

Orioles lineup vs. Braves
SARASOTA, Fla. - Everth Cabrera is starting again at shortstop today as the Orioles continue their series against the Braves. Feel free to read everything into it. He appears to be the favorite to replace injured J.J. Hardy on opening day. Today's lineup could almost mirror the one that manager Buck Showalter will use on April 6 at Tropicana Field, except Jonathan Schoop is listed among the reserves. Ryan Flaherty is starting at second base today. Stay tuned. The bullpen includes Zach Britton,...

Brian Matusz: "I'm just excited to have a role here with the Orioles"

Brian Matusz: "I'm just excited to have a role here with the Orioles"
SARASOTA, Fla. - As more players are peeled off the camp roster, left-hander Brian Matusz remains in the clubhouse and the bullpen. Still an Oriole, still a reliever. Matusz, 28, has been the subject of trade rumors and speculation. Scouts have been tracking his appearances all spring, and the Orioles seemed to be showcasing him in two starts. Or maybe they were just letting him work on his changeup. You decide. The Mets were interested, but they acquired two left-handed relievers on Monday and...

Wrapping up a 6-5 loss

Wrapping up a 6-5 loss
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - T.J. McFarland gave up two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning on a wild pitch and Joe Benson's fourth hit of the night, as the Braves walked off with a 6-5 win over the Orioles. McFarland stranded two inherited runners in the seventh and tossed a scoreless eighth, but he didn't record an out in the ninth. He's allowed 10 earned runs (11 total) and 23 hits in 12 1/3 innings for a 7.30 ERA. "I don't think anybody threw the ball better tonight on the field than...

Game update and Chen talks about his final spring start (O's lose 6-5)

Game update and Chen talks about his final spring start (O's lose 6-5)
ORIOLES QUICK WRAP Score: Braves 6, Orioles 5 Recap: Travis Snider came off the bench and hit a two-run homer off Chien-Ming Wang in the seventh inning to break a 2-2 tie. Everth Cabrera followed with a walk, stole second, advanced on a throwing error and scored on Steve Pearce's second hit of the night. Making his final spring start, Wei-Yin Chen surrendered two runs and six hits in five innings, with no walks and four strikeouts. Chen retired eight in a row before allowing two straight...

Wei-Yin Chen goes five innings in final spring start (Snider homers)

Wei-Yin Chen goes five innings in final spring start (Snider homers)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Nick Markakis has singled twice tonight, matching his hit total coming into the game. Markakis singled off Wei-Yin Chen in the fourth and reliever Wesley Wright in the sixth. Chen allowed two runs and six hits in five innings, with no walks and four strikeouts. I've got him at 68 pitches, 49 for strikes. Chen's most difficult inning was his last, when he threw 11 of 19 pitches for strikes and allowed both runs on Andrelton Simmons' RBI single and a wild pitch. The...

Reimold stays hot, Showalter on Verrett

Reimold stays hot, Showalter on Verrett
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Nolan Reimold led off tonight's game with a single on the first pitch thrown by Braves starter Alex Wood, a broken-bat liner into center field. Reimold is 15-for-45 (.333) this spring with two home runs, eight RBIs and eight walks. He's earned a spot on the 25-man roster, but is there room for him? David Lough is going on the disabled list, but the Orioles seem inclined to keep Jimmy Paredes, who's out of options. Reimold signed a minor league deal and can be...

Nick Markakis says no animosity toward Orioles

Nick Markakis says no animosity toward Orioles
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The No. 22 Braves jersey doesn't look right hanging in Nick Markakis' spring training locker. The full beard, neatly trimmed for at least the next few hours, is permitted in his new organization. Which one seems stranger to the former Orioles right fielder? "It's 22," he said today after greeting the Baltimore media. "Every time I come up to the plate I'm expecting 21, but it's part of change, though. It's part of life. We'll get used to it. "I'm comfortable...

Markakis in Braves lineup and more on bullpen

Markakis in Braves lineup and more on bullpen
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Former Oriole Nick Markakis is on the field playing catch today before batting practice. Extra coach Einer Diaz walked over and gave him a hug, and Ryan Flaherty called out to him while heading to the batting cage. Markakis, who still has a full beard, is batting third today and playing right field. For the Braves Eric Young Jr. CF Joe Benson LF Nick Markakis RF Freddie Freeman 1B Jonny Gomes DH Chris Johnson 3B Christian Bethancourt C Alberto Callaspo 2B Andrelton...

Verrett claimed off waivers by Rangers

Verrett claimed off waivers by Rangers
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - According to multiple industry sources, the Rangers have claimed Rule 5 right-hander Logan Verrett off waivers from the Orioles. Selected from the Mets in the Rule 5 draft at the Winter Meetings in San Diego, the 24-year-old Verrett had impressed in spring training, posting a 1.93 ERA in 14 innings. He walked two and struck out 12. He was one of two Rule 5 pitchers in major league camp. The Orioles acquired right-hander Jason Garcia from the Astros, who selected him...

Orioles lineup vs. Braves

Orioles lineup vs. Braves
SARASOTA, Fla. - Everth Cabrera is starting in center field tonight for the Orioles' game against the Braves in Orlando. Ryan Flaherty is starting at shortstop. Nolan Reimold is leading off and playing left field. The bullpen includes T.J. McFarland, Wesley Wright, Logan Verrett and Bobby Bundy. For the Orioles Nolan Reimold LF Everth Cabrera CF Steve Pearce RF Chris Davis 1B Delmon Young DH Manny Machado 3B Jonathan Schoop 2B Caleb Joseph C Ryan Flaherty SS Wei-Yin Chen LHP Nick Markakis will...

Lavarnway and Clevenger on catching competition

Lavarnway and Clevenger on catching competition
SARASOTA, Fla. - Put on your Mickey ears and join me for the drive to Disney for tonight's game against the Braves. It's the happiest place on Earth, except for players who train in Sarasota and are making the bus trip to Orlando twice in three days. I'll ask again: Who makes out this schedule? Left-hander Wei-Yin Chen makes his final spring start tonight. He's allowed three earned runs (four total) in 13 1/3 innings in the Grapefruit League, and he logged another five-plus innings against...

Wrapping up a 3-3 10-inning tie

Wrapping up a 3-3 10-inning tie
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter said Zach Davies will start Saturday against the Braves in Orlando, wrapping up the Grapefruit League schedule. Davies went 3 2/3 innings against the Rays on Monday and allowed one run on Evan Longoria's homer. Showalter is taking a handful of regulars to Orlando on Thursday, including Manny Machado, Delmon Young, Everth Cabrera and Steve Pearce. Nolan Reimold also is on the trip. Bud Norris threw 84 pitches today at Twin Lakes Park. Cabrera...

Game update and Tillman on his start (O's, Pirates end in tie)

Game update and Tillman on his start (O's, Pirates end in tie)
ORIOLES QUICK WRAP Score: Orioles 3, Pirates 3 Recap: Chris Tillman allowed two runs and three hits in five innings, with no walks and eight strikeouts. He retired 11 of the last 12 batters. Pedro Alvarez hit a two-run homer off Tillman in the second inning to break a scoreless tie. Everth Cabrera hit his first spring home run in the third inning, and he got all of it. He tied the game in the seventh with an RBI triple and scored on Alejandro De Aza's infield hit. Brian Matusz allowed four...

Everth Cabrera hits first home run (updated)

Everth Cabrera hits first home run (updated)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Everth Cabrera didn't short-change himself tonight when hitting his first home run of the spring. Cabrera crushed one to left-center field off Francisco Liriano in the bottom of the third inning to reduce the Pirates' lead to 2-1. His season-high in home runs is four in 2013. Cabrera is 2-for-6 lifetime against Liriano in the regular season. Expected to get most of the starts at shortstop in J.J Hardy's absence, Cabrera is 15-for-54 (.278) with three doubles, a triple and...