LAKELAND, Fla. - The competition to serve as the Orioles' No. 2 catcher is now down to two after Austin Wynns was optioned to Triple-A on Sunday. It includes Chance Sisco and Andrew Susac, who was acquired by the club on Feb. 2 from the Milwaukee Brewers for a player to be named or cash considerations. Susac has played in 11 Orioles spring games, going 3-for-10 with a homer and four RBIs. He'll turn 28 on Thursday and has played parts of the last four seasons in the majors for San Francisco...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The absence of Mark Trumbo on opening day due to a strained quadriceps muscle could provide regular at-bats for Anthony Santander in the designated hitter role. He also could get some starts in the outfield as manager Buck Showalter maneuvers players and takes advantage of his roster flexibility. No one is debating whether Santander makes the club and can stay for the first 44 days to shed his Rule 5 status. Santander is a lock. He's done everything necessary to earn the trust...

JUPITER, Fla. - Max Scherzer gets two more opportunities to tune up before opening day - and, yes, he will start opening day for the Nationals in Cincinnati, Davey Martinez confirmed this morning - and so that process begins today against the Marlins. Scherzer already threw five innings and 75 pitches in his last outing, so look for him to perhaps extend that even farther today. Adam Eaton and Michael A. Taylor, meanwhile, are both back in the lineup, two days after making their return from...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles haven't provided an explanation for Danny Valencia's removal from today's lineup. Manager Buck Showalter will update the media in Lakeland. Valencia was in the clubhouse this morning. He hit a two-run homer yesterday and is 6-for-29 (.207) with three doubles, two home runs and six RBIs in 11 games after signing a minor league deal on March 2. Gabriel Ynoa no longer is wearing a protective boot after being diagnosed with shin splints, but the Orioles are expected...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles' projected regulars are staying back today as the team travels to Lakeland to play the Tigers. Austin Hays is in right field and batting third and Pedro Álvarez is playing first base and batting fourth. Danny Valencia is starting at third base and Anthony Santander is the designated hitter. Chance Sisco is catching. The list of reserves includes Mike Yastrzemski, Cedric Mullins, Erick Salcedo, Andrew Susac and Jomar Reyes. The bullpen includes Josh Edgin, Joely...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - We are down, if you can believe this, to the final seven days of spring training. Yep, one week from now the Nationals will be home in Washington, getting settled into their digs for the season and preparing to face the Twins in one last exhibition game on South Capitol Street before heading out to Cincinnati for opening day. Which means it's crunch time down here in Florida. All those decisions that have been looming for five weeks? It's about time to make them. All...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles third baseman Tim Beckham has a few things to look forward to this season. The challenge of playing a new position in third base for one. For two, he has a chance to get everyday at-bats for a team for the first time through a full season. He knows playing time is not guaranteed, but Beckham looks forward to the chance to be an O's regular in 2018. "It's very exciting," Beckham said. "You know you just want to keep your eye on the prize though. Keep having fun and...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Chris Tillman is toeing more than the pitching rubber. There's also a fine line beneath his spikes. Use spring training to work on various things, but also understand the importance of achieving results. Throw pitches in sequences that contradict your approach in the regular season, but also record outs and lower your ERA. It's the type of balancing act that can make a pitcher splatter from the fall. Tillman grasps the importance of today's start against the Tigers in...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles made a bold statement about their backup catching situation today by optioning Austin Wynns to Triple-A Norfolk. The remaining candidates are down to Chance Sisco and Andrew Susac. Wynns batted .222/.391/.556 (4-for-18) with two home runs, three RBIs, five walks and seven strikeouts. His work behind the plate earned him high marks, but couldn't prevent him from heading to minor league camp. "The way Austin is, he's just pushing all the time," said manager Buck...

JUPITER, Fla. - Common sense says A.J. Cole's shot at making the Nationals rotation took a major hit Friday when the club signed veteran Jeremy Hellickson to a minor league contract. Hellickson's deal may not officially include a guaranteed spot on the big league roster, but it's tough to see the Nats (or the 30-year-old right-hander) striking this arrangement without an implicit understanding. Cole, of course, can't allow himself to think that way. Until someone tells him otherwise, his...