SARASOTA, Fla. - Though the Orioles have avoided serious injuries as they approach today's exhibition opener, two scratches created unexpected changes in their lineup and rotation. Second baseman Jonathan Schoop is day-to-day with bursitis in his left elbow and Miguel Castro won't make Sunday's start against the Red Sox in Fort Myers due to patella tendinitis in both knees. Castro also may be experiencing some back soreness because he's been stretching out on the clubhouse floor in front of...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Tim Beckham didn't have a ball hit to him yesterday during the intrasquad game, leaving his work at third base on the back fields as the only way to assign an early grade. Beckham is starting at third base again today in the Orioles' exhibition opener against the Rays at Ed Smith Stadium. He's taking a break from his daily sessions with infield instructor Bobby Dickerson, who's overseeing the switch of Beckham from shortstop to third base while Manny Machado returns to his...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Second baseman Jonathan Schoop has been scratched from today's lineup and replaced by Luis Sardiñas. The Orioles haven't provided an explanation, but Schoop walked through the clubhouse this morning with an ice pack wrapped on his left elbow. Trey Mancini moves up to second in the order, with Manny Machado batting third. For the Orioles Tim Beckham 3B Trey Mancini LF Manny Machado SS Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Mark Trumbo DH Anthony Santander RF Caleb Joseph C Luis...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Anthony Santander gets the start in right field today for the Orioles' exhibition opener against the Rays at Ed Smith Stadium. Tim Beckham is leading off and playing third base. Adam Jones is the cleanup hitter. Caleb Joseph is catching. Most of the regulars are playing today. For the Orioles Tim Beckham 3B Jonathan Schoop 2B Manny Machado SS Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Mark Trumbo DH Trey Mancini LF Anthony Santander RF Caleb Joseph C Mike Wright RHP

Nationals prospects for their early minor league camp arrive Saturday at the FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. I expect to get that full roster to you as early as next week. One of their former up and coming stars, shortstop Wilmer Difo, now could see a serious look as an everyday player, especially the first month of the season. BaseballReference.com projections have Difo reaching 389 plate appearances, which would be up from 365 in 2017. The prediction believes Difo can get to 14 doubles,...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - No, it doesn't count. No, it won't feature many recognizable names. But you know what? It's still a baseball game and it's going to be played today. Yes, the Grapefruit League has arrived, and not a moment too soon for fans who have patiently waited since October for the Nationals to take the field once again. Today's exhibition opener will be played in the Nats' home ballpark but it won't be a Nats home game. The World Series champion Astros get to play host for...

In a recent study conducted for USA Today, ReviewTrackers (reviewtrackers.com), a data-mining firm in Chicago, found Ed Smith Stadium as the top venue among Major League Baseball Spring Training sites in both Florida and Arizona. The study analyzed the comments in 36,000 online reviews of the 23 stadiums used for Spring Training, tracking how fans felt about the facility itself, food and drink offerings, and the overall experience for fans and families. The findings are available online...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Nothing much has changed for Craig Gentry since the Orioles signed veteran outfielder Colby Rasmus to a minor league deal this week and invited him to camp. Gentry is working under a similar contract and could be used in a platoon with Rasmus. The Orioles have been searching for plus defenders for the outfield who bat from the left side, capable of playing center to provide rest for Adam Jones, and Rasmus doesn't present a direct challenge to Gentry. What I'm saying here is...

Anyone who's been lucky enough to watch an Orioles game there understands that Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Fla., is a uniquely wonderful ballpark. It doesn't matter whether you're sunning yourself in the box seats, grabbing something to eat on the concourse or stationed in the left field picnic area awaiting a home run ball to fly your way. Ed Smith Stadium is gem, possessing a retro feel in its comfy configurations and delivering the intimate game-watching experience that fans...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Mike Wright, Chris Lee, Jeff Ferrell, Joely Rodríguez, Donnie Hart, Jimmy Yacabonis and Pedro Araujo are scheduled to pitch Friday afternoon in the exhibition opener against the Rays at Ed Smith Stadium. Wright will work the first two innings if the Rays allow it. I've lost count of how many times someone has referenced a "big spring" for Wright, who's out of minor league options. "Sometimes, it works as a real positive," said manager Buck Showalter. "I've seen...