masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgSARASOTA, Fla. – The Orioles went 13-9-4 in the Grapefruit League following tonight’s 4-3 loss to the Rays before the seventh sellout crowd this spring at Ed Smith Stadium.

Outfielder Nelson Cruz’s CT scan came back negative and he’s not expected to miss opening day. The Orioles will naturally check him again Friday morning and in subsequent days.

“Hopefully, everything’s all right,” said manager Buck Showalter. “He feels pretty good.”

Alex Cobb’s curveball hit the corner of the…SARASOTA, Fla. – The Orioles went 13-9-4 in the Grapefruit League following tonight’s 4-3 loss to the Rays before the seventh sellout crowd this spring at Ed Smith Stadium.

Outfielder Nelson Cruz’s CT scan came back negative and he’s not expected to miss opening day. The Orioles will naturally check him again Friday morning and in subsequent days.

“Hopefully, everything’s all right,” said manager Buck Showalter. “He feels pretty good.”

Alex Cobb’s curveball hit the corner of the bill on the left side and split Cruz’s helmet.

“We were looking at the helmet that will stand up to 100 mph. That was a breaking ball, 82-83 (mph),” Showalter said. “It was a little bit of a glancing blow. It sounded, hopefully, worse than it was.

“I’d like to say we dodged a bullet, but he didn’t. But so far, so good. It’s a little early, but I think he’s going to be fine.”

Showalter wouldn’t confirm that Evan Meek has won a spot in the bullpen, though Alfredo Aceves is opting out of his contract.

“Dan (Duquette) and I are going to sit down right now,” Showalter said. “We’re going to talk about that now, again.”

The Orioles will work out in Sarasota Saturday morning if their game in Norfolk is rained out.

Asked to summarize spring training, Showalter said, “We got everything accomplished that we wanted to for the most part. We got where we needed to get with Manny (Machado). And health-wise, knock on wood, I couldn’t ask for a whole lot better, all things considered. People who needed to present themselves well did, and we had the tough decisions that we were hoping to have at the end.

“We’re as ready as we can be.”