SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Brandon Hyde had plenty to say about reliever Branden Kline following today's 9-8 win over the Blue Jays, but he summed up the right-hander's performance with the first word. "Wow," Hyde said. No kidding. It seemed to be the appropriate response after Kline restored order to the game by striking out the side in the ninth inning for the save. The continuation of a terrific comeback story by the former second-rounder out of Thomas Johnson High in Frederick and...

SARASOTA, Fla. - In his first spring training chance to state his case for a 2019 rotation spot, right-hander David Hess was pleased with his results today versus Toronto at Ed Smith Stadium. In the second spring game for the Orioles, Hess went the first two innings, allowing three hits and one run on a solo homer. He didn't walk or strike out a batter and threw 27 pitches, 18 for strikes. Hess allowed back-to-back singles to start his day but got out of that first-inning jam, getting the...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles brought over three pitchers this afternoon from minor league camp to pad the bullpen in case of an unexpected mid-inning departure, and they also managed to send someone over to Twin Lakes Park with an in-game trade. The club announced during the third inning that it acquired right-hander David Lebron from the Rangers in exchange for international signing bonus slots. (I've already heard how this is Lebron's team now, and other NBA-related jokes, but keep 'em...

JUPITER, Fla. - The Nationals insist they want to be better fundamentally this season, and that includes more efficient at-bats with runners in scoring position. They're living up to the mantra so far this afternoon against the Cardinals. The Nats jumped out to a 4-0 lead after three innings, with all four runs scoring on something other than a base hit. Adrian Sanchez drove home the day's first run with an RBI groundout in the top of the second, allowing Victor Robles (who walked and...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The three-run homer is becoming a staple of Orioles spring training games. At least after two days. Rio Ruiz, starting at third base today, followed a Trey Mancini single and two-out walk by Ryan Mountcastle with a shot over the right field fence to give the Orioles another quick lead. Ruiz has hit four home runs in the majors in 195 plate appearances. Mancini singled up the middle against right-hander Sean Reid-Foley. Chris Davis ran the count to 2-2 and couldn't check his...

JUPITER, Fla. - The Nationals are emphasizing defensive improvement this spring, and they believe that can be achieved in multiple forms. There's the obvious: upgrades in personnel. Brian Dozier will be better at second base than Daniel Murphy. Victor Robles and/or Michael A. Taylor will be better in center field than Bryce Harper. Yan Gomes and Kurt Suzuki should be better behind the plate than Matt Wieters. There's also the approach: Manager Davey Martinez and his coaches are drilling into...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Three of the Orioles' veteran starting pitchers were busy this morning. Dylan Bundy and Andrew Cashner threw simulated games on a back field at the Ed Smith Stadium complex as the Orioles readied for batting practice, providing a glimpse at manager Brandon Hyde's plans in spring training with a schedule heavy in division opponents. It also is a way to ease them back into competition. Alex Cobb threw a bullpen session and Hyde said the right-hander also will pitch in a sim...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles prospect Ryan Mountcastle has made the point a few times: He'll play on defense wherever the team needs him to and is up for anything. In recent days, first base has been added to his resume. Before yesterday, he had never played the position in the pro ranks, just shortstop and third base since the Orioles drafted him No. 36 overall in 2015. But here on Saturday, after Mountcastle pinch-hit in the last of the fifth, he went out to first base and got in four innings at...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Dylan Bundy is pitching in a simulated game this morning on one of the back fields at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. He doesn't know when he's going to start a Grapefruit League game. Manager Brandon Hyde is considering whether to shield his starters from division opponents and the Orioles are playing the Blue Jays today, the Rays on Tuesday, the Red Sox on Wednesday, the Rays and Yankees on Friday in split-squad games, and the Red Sox again Saturday. Nate Karns starts Monday...

JUPITER, Fla. - It's a quick turnaround for the Nationals from last night's Grapefruit League opener to this afternoon's road debut against the Cardinals. Most of the significant names that played last night aren't making the trip to Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium, but Matt Adams and Adam Eaton will both be in the lineup (though Eaton will be the DH after starting in right field last night). We'll get our first look at the Trea Turner-Brian Dozier double play combo, as well as our first look...