SARASOTA, Fla. - Manager Buck Showalter has reached the point in Orioles camp when he begins to field questions about his opening day starter and the alignment of his rotation. It's an annual drill that usually unfolds during batting practice. He wanders over to the dugout area, provides injury updates and waits for it. Showalter won't tip his hand this early. He's usually inclined to ask the media when it needs to know, saving it for a slow news day. Spring results don't carry a lot of...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - When the call came, when the Mets told him they were designating him for assignment in early February to open up a 40-man roster spot after signing free agent third baseman Todd Frazier, Matt Reynolds didn't know exactly what to think. Being designated for assignment is baseball's uncomfortable limbo, where a team has 10 days to trade, waive or outright a player to the minor leagues. In most cases, a player is on the move - he just doesn't know exactly where. It's...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Erick Fedde may have earned himself a longer look from the new Nationals coaching staff. The right-hander held his own against an Astros lineup top-heavy with regulars, throwing three innings of two-hit, one-run ball in a 2-2 nine-inning tie on Saturday. "I find it to be exciting, a fun test," said Fedde, who walked two and struck out three. "It's still spring training - guys might not be where they are in season and they're getting their work in. Either way, it's...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Pick your favorite Orioles home run in the first inning. Manager Buck Showalter issued the challenge to the intimate media gathering following today's 13-5 win over the Pirates, then pointed out how Trey Mancini's two-run homer was hit into the wind in left-center field and bounced on the platform tower next to the batter's eye. A big-boy shot for sure. Manny Machado and Jonathan Schoop launched balls into the left field picnic area off Pirates starter Chad Kuhl and the...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles announced today that they reached agreements on one-year deals with 28 players who aren't eligible for arbitration. It's that time of the spring. Here's the list: Right-handers Pedro Araujo, Alec Asher, Dylan Bundy, Miguel Castro, Stefan Crichton, Mychal Givens, Hunter Harvey, David Hess, Jesus Liranzo, José Mesa Jr., Yefry Ramirez, Mike Wright Jr., Jimmy Yacabonis and Gabriel Ynoa. Left-handers Richard Bleier, Nestor Cortes Jr., Donnie Hart, Chris Lee and...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Nationals could get nothing going offensively against Astros lefty Dallas Keuchel, who didn't look anything like a pitcher who brought a 10.80 ERA into today's Grapefruit League game. What's that old baseball adage about spring and September statistics being fool's gold? Bryce Harper, the last hitter Keuchel faced, roped a single to right field - the only hit allowed by the southpaw in his 3 2/3 innings. Keuchel didn't walk a batter and struck out...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Daniel Murphy passed another hurdle in his recovery from debridement and microfracture surgery on his right knee on Saturday morning, hitting on a field for the first time in spring training. Batting in a foursome that included Adam Eaton, Bryce Harper and Matt Wieters, Murphy and his mates hit for about 25 minutes off bullpen catcher Nilson Robledo on Field 2 at the FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. "It felt good.," Murphy said. "It's nice the see ball flight...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles first baseman Chris Davis received a cortisone injection this morning in his right elbow in an attempt to reduce the inflammation and accelerate his return to the lineup. Manager Buck Showalter emphasized that Davis hasn't experienced a setback. "Nothing that's going to stretch that out any more, and if anything, we hope it shortens it," Showalter said. According to Showalter, he hasn't been told anything about the injection that leads him to be concerned. "Not...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Mark Trumbo is optimistic that his return to the Orioles' lineup is coming soon after a sore quadriceps muscle forced him into the training room. Trumbo felt the discomfort last weekend and it increased while he was playing in Tuesday's game against the Twins in Fort Myers. Manager Buck Showalter, after talking to head athletic trainer Brian Ebel, said the injury could sideline Trumbo for about a week. "It's showing some really good improvement. I like where it's going,"...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Anthony Santander gets another start in left field today and Colby Rasmus is leading off and playing right, as the Orioles host the Pirates. Chris Davis remains out of the lineup. Trey Mancini is starting at first base. Left-hander Jayson Aquino is making his first start as Gabriel Ynoa's replacement. Ynoa has been diagnosed with shin splints and will be unavailable for at least the next two weeks. Available relievers include Richard Bleier, Donnie Hart, Brad Brach, Jimmy...