SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles get their first and only off-day of spring training, closing the Ed Smith Stadium complex and encouraging a mental and physical break from the grind. Cuts may not happen today, but more are coming now that the Orioles moved past Saturday's split-squad games. They can afford to continue thinning out the camp roster. Five catchers remain and fewer are needed as pitchers are optioned and reassigned. However, Austin Wynns is shut down, leaving only four who are...

SARASOTA, Fla. - For just the second time in their history, the Orioles will pick first overall in the First-Year Player Draft in June. In 1989, the Orioles selected LSU right-hander and current O's broadcaster Ben McDonald with the No. 1 pick. The process to decide who they'll take 1/1 on June 3 is well underway, said executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias when he was a recent guest with me on an Orioles.com broadcast. Elias will pull the trigger on the pick and he's...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles pared seven players from their spring training roster this afternoon, including outfielders Yusniel Diaz and DJ Stewart. Pitcher Dillon Tate was optioned to Double-A Bowie while Stewart and pitcher Luis Ortiz were optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. Diaz, catcher Martin Cervenka and pitchers Sean Gilmartin and Bo Schultz have been reassigned to minor league camp because they aren't on the 40-man roster. Diaz was one of the camp standouts, going 11-for-33 with three...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Pitching is about disrupting a hitter's timing, which traditionally is done via the changing of pitch speeds. But it can't hurt to try changing the speed of the actual delivery to the plate, which is exactly what Jeremy Hellickson is up to this spring. Owner of a fastball that tops out at 90 mph, the Nationals right-hander knows he needs to find some other methods for keeping a hitter off-balance. So he's been tinkering around with a quick-pitch the last few weeks,...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Josh Rogers doesn't know whether the Orioles are viewing him as rotation material or a possibility for long relief. It won't change his pace and mission to get as many outs as he can and let the decision-makers wrestle with his role. Rogers was charged with two runs this afternoon in 3 2/3 innings, the last on Drew Butera's single off minor leaguer Tanner Chleborad. He allowed five hits, walked none and struck out four. Phil Gosselin homered off Rogers with one out in the...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Adrián Sanchez has already proven himself a valuable fill-in when the Nationals need help in the infield. Now he's trying to prove himself capable of filling in when the Nats need outfield assistance. Sanchez is starting in left field this afternoon, his first foray into the outfield this spring but possibly not his last. With veteran second baseman/left fielder Howie Kendrick in danger of opening the season on the injured list due to a hamstring strain, there could...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Alex Cobb threw four innings this morning in his simulated game on Camden Yards South and Chris Davis didn't report any discomfort in his left hip, which puts him in line to return to the lineup after Monday's off-day. "(Davis) swung the bat good. Cobb looked great. So yeah, real productive," said manager Brandon Hyde. Cobb's next start is put on hold after the arrival Friday night of his baby girl. "I watched the first few innings and ball was coming out great," Hyde...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Alex Cobb threw a simulated game this morning on Camden Yards South in lieu of making his next start. Cobb is having his schedule adjusted after wife Kelly gave birth to a daughter Friday night. In two spring starts, Cobb allowed four runs and three hits in two-thirds of an inning in his debut against the Rays, and one run and two hits over three innings in his follow-up outing versus the Pirates. Chris Davis participated in the simulated game, hitting on the field to test his...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - It's a quick turnaround for the Nationals, who following last night's 2-1 loss to the Marlins lost an hour due to daylight saving time and now are right back to work today against the Astros. At least they don't have to travel anywhere for this "road" game against their ballpark mates. Jeremy Hellickson gets the start, and he has been very effective so far in two previous outings this spring, allowing one run on three hits over five total innings, striking out...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Jesús Sucre makes his second start for the Orioles today in a 1:05 p.m. game against the Phillies at Ed Smith Stadium. Austin Hays is back in center field and Yusniel Diaz is the designated hitter. Stevie Wilkerson continues to move around, starting at first base today, and Rio Ruiz is at third. Jonathan Villar is leading off and playing second base, with Alcides Escobar at shortstop. Dwight Smith Jr. isn't in the lineup, but he could come off the bench today. Left-hander...