TAMPA - Alex Cobb worked out at the Ed Smith Stadium complex today and eventually will be throwing at extended spring training and with a minor league affiliate. The Orioles intend to carry 12 pitchers on opening day, including five starters, but Cobb will have to stay back. "Roger (McDowell) and I are going to sit down with him," said manager Buck Showalter. "He had a pretty whirlwind day today. Roger talked to him a little bit. But we're going to sit down with him tomorrow and map out the...

TAMPA - While Alex Cobb was busy getting to know his new Orioles teammates today and mapping out a plan with manager Buck Showalter and pitching coach Roger McDowell following an extremely late arrival in camp, he could lock into a familiar face in the row of lockers set up for infielders and outfielders. At the far left end sits third baseman Tim Beckham, who also came to the Orioles from the Tampa Bay Rays. They were together at Tropicana Field since 2013. No need for introductions. "Oh,...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Gio Gonzalez might as well have been speaking for every ballplayer (and perhaps a few reporters) when he summed up today's rough outing - eight runs allowed in 4 2/3 innings - in simple terms that can be applied to lots of matters that take place in spring training. "There were more positive results than what we saw out there," the left-hander said. "Don't read into what you see. It's all B.S." It's easy to say that after a bad start, of course. Why would...

TAMPA - Adam Jones only knew about Alex Cobb from the opposite dugout, the batter's box, the usual chatter that exists in pregame and among friends. He politely asked the media today to wait until he met Cobb before commenting on his new teammate. "I've only see him in battle between the lines," Jones said afterward. "We haven't said too many words while we were playing against each other. Nice, firm handshake, solid hug, very manly, very teammate-esque." So far, it's a solid scouting...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Alex Cobb has met his new teammates and the media and fulfilled all of his interview obligations. He's ready to focus on pitching again, whenever he's able to debut for the Orioles after signing his four-year, $57 million contract. Cobb is expected to stay back at extended spring training and report to a minor league affiliate to build up his innings. There's no timetable set for his return to a major league rotation. Here's a sampling of Cobb from his first session with...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles optioned pitcher Hunter Harvey to Double-A Bowie this afternoon and will start Miguel Castro in tonight's game against the Yankees in Tampa. Rule 5 pick Nestor Cortes Jr. will follow him to the mound. Harvey allowed three earned runs (four total) and nine hits over seven innings in his three starts in the Grapefruit League. He walked four batters and struck out seven. Tanner Scott and Jimmy Yacabonis also are listed among the relievers tonight. Tim Beckham is...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Nationals are going to need to tap into their right-handed bullpen depth to open the season. Already down one arm all spring when Koda Glover reported to camp with a sore shoulder, the Nats now acknowledge they won't have veteran Joaquin Benoit for opening day after the 40-year-old was diagnosed with a strained forearm. Benoit, who was signed to a $1 million major league contract one week after camp opened, made three Grapefruit League appearances, most recently...

The Orioles today announced that they have signed right-hander Alex Cobb to a four-year contract. To make room on the 40-man roster, right-hander José Mesa Jr. has been designated for assignment. Cobb, 30, went 12-10 with a 3.66 ERA (73 ER/179.1 IP) and 128 strikeouts in 29 starts with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2017. Over a six-year Major League career, Cobb has gone 48-35 with a 3.50 ERA (272 ER/700.0 IP) and 570 strikeouts in 115 starts. He has started 22 or more games in four seasons,...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Daniel Murphy acknowledged what has become obvious over the course of the spring: He won't be on the Nationals' active roster to begin the season. "I think it's reasonable to expect I won't be in the opening day lineup," the veteran second baseman said this morning. From the day Murphy had microfracture surgery on his right knee in October, the Nationals qualified their timetable for his recovery by saying they were "hopeful" he'd be ready for opening day. And...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Alex Cobb has passed his physical, according to a source, and is the latest free agent pitcher to join the Orioles rotation with less than a week remaining before they break camp. Cobb agreed to terms yesterday on a four-year, $57 million contract, the largest given by the Orioles to a free agent pitcher. It exceeds the $50 million deal for Ubaldo Jiménez in 2014. A better return is anticipated and sorely needed. The Orioles haven't announced Cobb's signing, but it's done...