SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles held their annual Photo Day this morning at Ed Smith Stadium before taking the field for stretching and workouts. No media access until later today. The schedule doesn't show any bullpen or live batting practice sessions for the pitchers. Jimmy Yacabonis is on a starter's routine in camp, including two turns of live BP. Relievers were held to one. As I wrote yesterday, manager Brandon Hyde is open to using Yacabonis in the rotation or as a long reliever and will...

SARASOTA, Fla. - A leisurely stroll for minor league infielder Drew Jackson turned into a joy ride. With a couple of crazy turns along the way. Jackson was left unprotected by the Dodgers in the Rule 5 draft, held on the final day of baseball's annual Winter Meetings, and the Phillies selected him with the 11th overall pick. "My phone started blowing up," he said. Then came the one call that blew up his visions of going to spring training in Clearwater. "Very weird day," said Jackson, who...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - It was both the greatest thing and the worst thing that could've happened from Victor Robles' perspective. Juan Soto's remarkable rookie season inspired his fellow Dominican outfielder, who knows he's about to get the same opportunity the Nationals gave the 19-year-old last year. But Robles also knows Soto set the bar so high as a rookie that some might just assume he's now capable of duplicating it himself. "It was very impressive, without a doubt," Robles said,...

In the end, Manny Machado got what he likely wanted most - a massive contract in length and dollars. He's expected to sign with the San Diego Padres for 10 years and $300 million. Pending what happens with Bryce Harper, it's the richest contract ever signed by a baseball free agent. Giancarlo Stanton signed a 13-year deal for $325 million, but that was an extension with the Marlins and not a free agent signing. Machado got his money even when it looked like he might not get a deal this big,...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Nationals' first full-squad workout of 2019 featured some familiar sights (the daily "Circle of Trust" meeting, lots of defensive fundamental drills, live batting practice). It also featured some noticeable changes from last spring: Max Scherzer throwing two simulated "innings" to live hitters already, several instances when players were instructed to re-do a particular drill if it wasn't done flawlessly the first time. "It was great," manager Davey Martinez...

(DRAFT) SARASOTA, Fla. - ESPN broadcaster Kevin Brown is joining the Orioles Radio Network in 2019, serving as a play-by-play announcer for about 50 games this season. Brown's hiring comes on the heels of Joe Angel's retirement after 19 seasons as the radio play-by-play voice of the Orioles. Angel spent more than four decades calling major league games, including two World Series, 44 postseason games and seven no-hitters. Brown currently serves as a play-by-play commentator on ESPN's...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Brandon Hyde continues to rotate players at different positions in camp. Heads can spin trying to track them. Ryan Mountcastle, Chris Bostick and Jace Peterson worked out at third base this morning on the Earl Weaver "Little" Field. Rio Ruiz and Steve Wilkerson moved to first base. Rule 5 picks Richie Martin and Drew Jackson were stationed at shortstop. Zach Vincej and Jack Reinheimer took ground balls at second base. Hyde is new to the organization and...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The first domino in the never-ending free agent stalemate of 2019 has finally fallen. Manny Machado has agreed to a 10-year, $300 million deal with the Padres, according to multiple reports this afternoon. Which means Bryce Harper is now on the clock, and the bar for his eventual contract has been set by San Diego. The Machado news broke as the Nationals' first full-squad workout was in its final stages, and word spread quickly through the complex. For veteran players...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles made another waiver claim this afternoon, selecting Josh Osich from the Giants, while also adding a fifth left-handed reliever to their 40-man roster. Osich, 30, joins Richard Bleier, Tanner Scott, Paul Fry and Donnie Hart. Non-roster southpaws Sean Gilmartin and Chris Lee also are in camp. Infielder Hanser Alberto has been designated for assignment to make room for Osich on the 40-man roster. The Orioles claimed Alberto off waivers from the Yankees last month. The...

Youngsters who dream of a big league career are getting a little taste of what it takes, with the help of the Orioles Health & Fitness Challenge and today's visit from some O's stars to a middle school in the club's spring home of Sarasota, Fla. Orioles Hall of Famer Brian Roberts and current Orioles Mychal Givens, Trey Mancini and Mike Wright Jr. - along with Wright's wife, Madison, a personal trainer and reigstered dietician and nutritionist - went to Booker Middle School to help...