SARASOTA, Fla. - For Orioles right-hander Andrew Cashner, the makings of a strong outing today quickly went south within a span of three Boston batters in the top of the second inning. In his first spring game on Sunday versus Detroit at Ed Smith Stadium, Cashner allowed six hits and four runs over three innings. But today versus the Red Sox he retired the side in order in the first on just 11 pitches. He then got Steve Pearce and Christian Vázquez quickly to start the second. But a 10-pitch...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles first baseman Chris Davis underwent an MRI on his left hip this morning, marked absent at the complex as teammates arrived and readied for pregame stretch and drills. Davis hasn't played since Sunday because of a strained hip flexor, which occurred after he reached for a throw up the line. He's been labeled as day-to-day with slight improvements. "He is feeling better today, but we're doing a precautionary MRI this morning," said manager Brandon Hyde. "We just...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Matt Adams isn't sure how many offers his agent fielded this offseason. When all was said and done, there was really only one place Adams wanted to go. "I wanted to come back here," said Adams, who re-signed with the Nationals on Dec. 18. "How quickly they reached out to my agent and presented the offer, there was mutual interest on both sides." Most players who signed with a team the previous offseason only to be caught in a trade-deadline roster purge would cross...

JUPITER, Fla. - The Nationals made their first cuts of camp this morning, and there were no real surprises among the seven players trimmed from the spring roster. Catcher Raudy Read was optioned to Triple-A Fresno, while right-hander James Bourque was optioned to Double-A Harrisburg. Five other players were reassigned to minor league camp: right-handers Ronald Peña and Wil Crowe, first baseman-outfielder José Marmolejos, catcher Tres Barrera and outfielder Chuck Taylor. "Just go down and...

SARASOTA, Fla. - After leaving the only organization he has ever known as a professional reliever, pitcher Josh Osich is starting to get used to his new team. He's been an Oriole since Feb. 19, when they claimed him on waivers from the San Francisco Giants. A lefty reliever with a mid 90s fastball, he's trying to make the opening day roster against stiff competition. There are four bullpen lefties on the O's 40-man roster, and the other three are Richard Bleier, Tanner Scott and Paul Fry....

SARASOTA, Fla. - The walk back to the clubhouse stings, no matter the date or relative insignificance of the game. Branden Kline is a competitor. He's a proud young man. And he really wishes that he could undo the pitch he threw yesterday to the Pirates' Cole Tucker leading off the bottom of the ninth inning at LECOM Park. A fastball in a 2-0 count with the score tied. Tucker clearing the right field fence and circling the bases. Players leaving the field as fans head toward the exits. "I...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Patrick Corbin, who signed a six-year, $140 million deal with the Nationals in the offseason, has come as advertised. The southpaw makes his third Grapefruit League start this afternoon against the Cardinals in Jupiter, and he's yet to allow an earned run over five innings. In two outings, Corbin has surrendered three hits, hasn't walked a batter and has struck out three. Victor Robles is leading off and playing center field for the Nationals today, with Matt Adams at...

SARASOTA, Fla.- Catcher Jesús Sucre makes his Orioles debut this afternoon, batting sixth against the Red Sox at Ed Smith Stadium. Sucre is jumping into the catching competition after reporting late due to visa issues in Venezuela. Trey Mancini is in left field, his left pinky finger healed. But still no Chris Davis, who's day-to-day with a sore left hip. Renato Núñez is at first base today and Hanser Alberto is playing third base. Jace Peterson is starting at second base. Andrew...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Sig Mejdal is the Orioles' assistant general manager, analytics. He was hired by Mike Elias in November, five days after Elias was named the Orioles' executive vice president and general manager. Mejdal was hired by the club to build an analytics department, and also to advise Elias in all baseball operations decisions. Upon his hire, Elias said: "Sig Mejdal is one of the most experienced and accomplished analysts working in baseball today. To have him join our Orioles...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Before I can get a stronger grip on the 25-man roster that will be unveiled on opening day in the Bronx, I still need to know how many pitchers are heading north. Is it a 12- or 13-man pitching staff? Does manager Brandon Hyde envision carrying four starters until a fifth is needed on April 10? The mocks are murky without this information. The position battles continue in the outfield, at third base and behind the plate. I'm giving Rule 5 pick Richie Martin the starting job at...