SARASOTA, Fla. - It is a nice sight for Orioles fans. Former O's shortstop J.J. Hardy back in the orange and black. He was back wearing team colors Monday as he began a week-long run in camp as a guest instructor. A very popular Oriole from 2011-2017, Hardy was known for airtight defense and remarkable consistency at shortstop. He's also remembered for the great slide at home to score the go-ahead run on the Delmon Young three-run double in the 2014 American League Division Series. He was a...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Joe Ross knows he's immersed in a battle to be the Nationals' fifth starter. A few more outings like he had Monday in a 3-2 victory over the Marlins and the right-hander might just lock up the spot he covets. Emilio Bonifacio played the hero's role, though it got a little sticky in the bottom of the ninth with the teams knotted at 2-2. Cody Wilson broke for home on what was supposed to be a safety squeeze with Bonifacio batting and was easily tagged out. But Bonifacio...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Andrew Velazquez lined a single into right-center field this afternoon off Rays starter Charlie Morton, who handed the ball to his manager and exited one out short of completing the third inning. At the plate again in the fifth, Velazquez coaxed a walk out of former Orioles reliever Oliver Drake. He's 4-for-9 with three stolen bases this spring. Velazquez is the last Orioles player to crack the camp roster after a Feb. 19 waiver claim. He's also migrating toward the front of...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are starting to stack up some good outings from their starting rotation candidates. Right-hander Asher Wojciechowski was the latest to deliver today. In his second spring start, he pitched three hitless and scoreless innings, facing the minimum nine batters against the Tampa Bay Rays at Ed Smith Stadium. This followed John Means with his nine up and out outing yesterday against the Phillies. And Keegan Akin with a run allowed over two innings Saturday and Brandon...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Astute fans might recall Emilio Bonifacio's first tour of duty with the Nationals. He played the second half of the 2008 season in D.C., coming over from the Diamondbacks in exchange for reliever Jon Rauch in July and being sent to the Marlins as part of the deal that netted pitcher Scott Olsen and outfielder Josh Willingham about four months later. What does Bonifacio remember about his time as a National on that 59-102 team? "Not much," he laughed. "Wally and...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Today is a special day for new Orioles broadcaster Melanie Newman. She'll work an Orioles broadcast for the first time and call some play-by-play alongside Geoff Arnold on the Orioles Radio Network as the O's host Tampa Bay at Ed Smith Stadium. Newman joins the Orioles from the Carolina League's Salem Red Sox, for whom she served as the lead broadcaster on baseball's first all-female broadcast team. Newman previously held various roles with the Double-A Frisco RoughRiders...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Alex Cobb is going to wait a little longer before making another start. Cobb will pitch in a simulated game Friday while the Orioles play the Yankees in Tampa. His next start is March 11 versus the Blue Jays in Dunedin. "He threw right around 50 pitches yesterday and looked great and he felt great after," said manager Brandon Hyde. "Actually threw a little bit more than we had planned for and he felt outstanding during it and after, so we're good to go." The adjustments...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - With observers focusing on every swing he takes and every grounder he fields at third base, Carter Kieboom is off today. He's getting a chance to reset and Nationals manager Davey Martinez continues to preach to the 22-year-old that he needs to relax. Given an extended opportunity to replace the departed Anthony Rendon at third base, Kieboom has struggled this spring. He's hitting .083 (1-for-12) without an extra-base hit and has committed two errors at the hot corner....

SARASOTA, Fla. - The device used by Orioles pitcher Wade LeBlanc to measure his spring training is built with the most basic parts. "They haven't told me to go home yet," he said, "so it's going pretty good." Sounds pretty accurate. LeBlanc has made only one exhibition start, back in the Feb. 23 home opener. He's scheduled to take the ball again Wednesday afternoon against the Marlins in Jupiter. Part of a "pretty standard" camp for the 35-year-old lefty, who's getting lots of work on...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Reliever Hunter Harvey is making his exhibition debut today with the Orioles hosting the Rays. Harvey is recovered from his illness and threw a simulated game to pass his final test. Pat Valaika is playing shortstop today and Andrew Velazquez is the second baseman. Martin Cervenka is the designated hitter. Chris Davis is batting third and playing first base and Renato Núñez is getting another start at third base. Chance Sisco is catching Asher Wojciechowski. Available...