SARASOTA, Fla. - The job of a major league manager can expand in unexpected and unfortunate ways. Brandon Hyde, in his second season with the Orioles, is learning about it with Trey Mancini away from the team and facing a non-baseball surgical procedure later this week. Hyde is trying to comfort players and also keep them focused on the task at hand. The business side of spring training. "When you're in this role, you never know what's going to happen, what's going to come to your desk on a...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are playing their 17th exhibition game later this afternoon, forced to remain focused on preparing for the 2020 season and the various competitions that will determine how the 26-man roster is constructed. They understand the business side of baseball, but their concerns for a teammate and friend keep tugging hard at their emotions. Trey Mancini isn't in the lineup again today and no longer is at the facility. He's left the team to undergo a non-baseball medical...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - If you needed more evidence that Victor Robles and Eric Thames emerged from Saturday's return from injury feeling strong, here it is: Both are back in the lineup today against the Tigers. Robles will again lead off and serve as designated hitter. Thames, who was the DH in Saturday's home split-squad game, will bat second and play first base. All of this is a good sign that both guys are fully healed and ready for the two-week push to get ready for opening day. Robles...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Kohl Stewart finally makes his spring debut this afternoon against the Yankees at Ed Smith Stadium, a sore right biceps muscle no longer limiting his workload. Stewart is trying to stay in the rotation race. He's got some catching up to do. Yusniel Diaz is playing right field today with Trey Mancini away from the team. Anthony Santander is the designated hitter, but will make his outfield debut on Tuesday. Richie Martin is playing second base again, with José Iglesias...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Davey Martinez had to decide which of Saturday's split-squad games to attend in person. He could stay at home and watch Joe Ross and a few Nationals regulars face the Marlins, or he could go to Port St. Lucie and watch Austin Voth and his entire projected starting infield face the Mets. Martinez chose to stay here, in large part because he wanted to watch Ross' third start of the spring firsthand. If you needed another tea leaf to read about the Nationals' intentions...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Brandon Bailey didn't see it coming. In Orioles camp as a Rule 5 selection, Bailey thought he might be heading north with the club instead of making the drive to West Palm Beach. That he'd be on a major league team's opening day roster instead of returning to the Astros complex and awaiting his minor league assignment. The Orioles included Bailey and Rule 5 reliever Michael Rucker in Friday afternoon's camp cuts. Bailey goes back to the Astros after allowing one run in four...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles left-handed pitching prospect DL Hall, who ended last year on the injured list, begins this season fully healthy. The 21-year-old Hall didn't pitch in 2019 after Aug. 8 due to a lat strain. In 19 games for Single-A Frederick, the club's 2017 top draft pick went 4-5 with a 3.46 ERA in 80 2/3 innings. Hall said it didn't take too long to fully recover from that issue. "About a month and a half, two months," he said Saturday at the Buck O'Neil Complex at Twin Lakes...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Davey Martinez had a simple message for Eric Thames today as the veteran first baseman prepared to play for the first time since straining a calf muscle 11 days ago. "Don't go gangbusters. Ease your way back into it," the Nationals manager said. "Don't try to go first to third right now." So what happened when Thames stepped up to bat in the bottom of the first inning against Marlins right-hander José Ureña? Of course he sent a sinking liner into right-center...

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Orioles outfielder Trey Mancini has left the club to undergo a non-baseball medical procedure, raising the concerns of his teammates and staff and increasing the possibility that he won't be on the opening day roster. Manager Brandon Hyde shared the news with the media this afternoon. Details are scarce because the Orioles want to respect his privacy. The procedure isn't imminent and might not happen until next week. However, the Orioles break camp on March 23 and begin...

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Bruce Zimmermann bolted out of the visiting dugout today at Charlotte Sports Park and jogged to the mound, eager to begin warming up for his first spring start and third appearance. Zimmermann looked forward to the opportunity but mostly was glad to be off the team bus. He could have gotten here faster from Sarasota if he walked. The Orioles arrived at the ballpark about 45 minutes prior to first pitch, their driver taking them to a closed section of I-75. Traffic was...