WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Erick Fedde got a text message from his father in December. The message was brief: "Hey, I was reading an article online saying you have a fourth option." Fedde's reply was direct and didn't mince words: "Dad, don't be dumb. Fourth options are not a thing." Everyone in baseball, certainly younger players who bounce up and down between the minor and major leagues, knows you only have three option years. In other words, you can only be demoted to the minors in three...

The Orioles today announced that the club will play the New York Mets in an exhibition game on Tuesday, March 24 at Terwilliger Brothers Field at Max Bishop Stadium on the grounds of the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md. Prior to the game, players and staff from both teams will visit with representatives from the Naval Academy and tour the academy facilities. The Naval Academy and the Orioles will distribute complimentary tickets to Midshipmen, as well as select members of the...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Starlin Castro came to Nationals camp with a revamped swing that results in more balls pulled in the air and fewer balls on the ground, a swing that produced big numbers late last season with the Marlins. But the first live pitcher he had to face here was immune to such tweaks. Castro groaned Wednesday when he found out he was hitting against Max Scherzer, a longtime nemesis when facing him as an opponent. And sure enough, there wasn't much contact to speak of when the...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles won't be done playing exhibition games after leaving Florida. There's room for one more. The Orioles will face the Mets on March 24 at Terwilliger Brothers Field at Max Bishop Stadium on the grounds of the United States Naval Academy. First pitch in Annapolis is slated for 2:05 p.m. The game will be carried live on 105.7 The Fan and the Orioles Radio Network. Tickets won't be sold to the public, but select Birdland Members can access a limited number. Players and...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Chandler Shepherd is starting Saturday's exhibition opener against the Braves in North Port, marking the end of the workout grind and moving spring training into its next phase. Left-hander Ty Blach will follow Shepherd, who's supposed to work two innings. "He's one of the guys that we're stretching out and it just kind of fell on that day," said manager Brandon Hyde, who shared his decision with the media. "See him go a couple innings." Shepherd started the final game...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The workout that's unfolding later this morning at the Ed Smith Stadium complex includes live batting practice sessions from 13 pitchers and regular bullpen sessions from 13. David Hess is in the latter group while he awaits his first Grapefruit League assignment. The opener is Saturday against the Braves in North Port and he hasn't been told whether he's involved in it. Hess has been pleased with his side work and first live batting practice round. The work done over the...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Utility competitions generally do not elicit much excitement and drama in a spring training camp. The backup infielder ranks pretty low on the meter. More yawns than yippees. The Orioles, however, are turning the battles into a game show of sorts - but without the car or jet skis as a grand prize. Richard Ureña had been deemed a favorite to break camp on March 23 until the Orioles designated him for assignment yesterday. Another mock roster goes into the shredder. Pat...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Spring training life for the defending champions is a bit different than in previous years. There are questions about trying to repeat. New signs all over the place touting last fall's achievement. Fingers to be sized for championship rings. Everybody's in a good mood, for good reason. But there's something lacking from Nationals camp so far, something that can be found at other camps across Florida and Arizona, something that could be found around here in many...

When it comes to the start of spring training games for the Orioles this Saturday, fans and reporters alike will begin tracking the chase for rotation spots. Is Alex Cobb healthy? Who will join him and John Means in the rotation? There are other areas in camp where there will be competition for a spot or spots. One area that is probably not going to garner a lot of media or fan attention is the battle to be the club's utility infielder. Or maybe they expand that to a super utility type as a...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are adding three new voices to their expanded broadcast team for the 2020 season, with the announcement coming earlier today. Scott Garceau, longtime broadcaster in Baltimore who's been hosting the "Scott and Jeremy Show" on 105.7 The Fan, will handle some of the play-by-play duties as he enters his 40th year in the area's sports landscape. He had spent 13 years as television play-by-play announcer, often teaming with Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson, and was part...