SARASOTA, Fla. - It seems there are times we don't hear his name mentioned when it comes to earning a bullpen spot for the Orioles. But maybe we should. After he had a decent September for the Orioles, 25-year-old right-hander Jimmy Yacabonis has had a solid spring training, as well. In seven games, he has allowed three runs and seven hits with five walks and six strikeouts over seven innings for an ERA of 3.86. Yacabonis allowed two runs in one inning March 3 versus the Phillies. Other than...

JUPITER, Fla. - With this week's surprise signing of Jeremy Hellickson, A.J. Cole suddenly finds himself in an uncertain position. The frontrunner for the No. 5 starter's job through the first month of camp, what exactly is his status now? Is he still competing for the job? Is he destined for a spot in the bullpen? Is he in danger of being designated for assignment? The Nationals aren't saying anything for now, other than telling Cole to keep taking the mound and competing. Which he'll do...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles first baseman Chris Davis is back in the lineup for today's game against the Mets at Ed Smith Stadium. Davis is leading off and playing first base. He's been out since March 2 due to a strained right forearm/elbow. Cedric Mullins is in left field and Colby Rasmus is in right. Trey Mancini is the designated hitter. Available relievers include Brad Brach, Mychal Givens, Luis Gonzalez and James Teague. For the Orioles Chris Davis 1B Jonathan Schoop 2B Manny Machado SS...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - While attention was focused Saturday on Adam Eaton - and rightfully so, given the major injury he was returning from - Michael A. Taylor also was playing in his first big league game in a while and actually tested his body more than his fellow outfielder did. Taylor, who had been out since March 4 with tightness in his right side, returned to the Nationals lineup and played six innings in center field while taking three at-bats. He singled, stole second with a headfirst...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Outfielder Colby Rasmus signed a minor league contract with the Orioles on Feb. 21. Just over a month later, he could find himself in the starting lineup on opening day. Rasmus seems to have an excellent shot to break north with the club and possibly be the left-handed batting side of a right field platoon. For now, he's enjoying his first few weeks as an Oriole. "It's been good," he said Saturday morning in the clubhouse. "Enjoying my time so far. Been feeling good and...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The composition of the Orioles bullpen on opening day hinges on a variety of factors. Which candidate for the fifth starter's job slips into a relief role? How many Rule 5 picks make the roster? How many left-handers will manager Buck Showalter choose to carry? Showalter doesn't appear to have a set number of southpaws in mind. "All scenarios are in play right now," he said. "If you look at an all right-handed rotation, the potential for that, then it's something that you...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - There were smiles and knowing glances all morning from teammates and other well-wishers. There was an expanded, 90-minute warmup session. Then four adventurous innings in left field that included a couple of tough plays complicated by the wind. And, of course, two at-bats against major league pitchers, the second of which ended with a celebratory trip around the bases and an acknowledgement of the 10 family members watching (and, in some cases, crying) from the...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles will withhold making more roster cuts until Sunday morning. They still have 42 players in camp. Closer Zach Britton and pitcher Gabriel Ynoa are out of their protective boots. Britton already is on the 60-day disabled list and Ynoa is expected to go on the 10-day DL. Left-hander Tanner Scott worked another inning in relief today in a 5-2 loss to the Blue Jays before a sellout crowd of 7,409 at Ed Smith Stadium, but he's still slated to start at Triple-A...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Making his fifth spring appearance, Orioles right-hander Mike Wright Jr. had a pretty good outing working. That was until the bottom of the Toronto Blue Jays order got to him in the top of the fifth inning today at Ed Smith Stadium. Wright took the mound in a 1-1 game that inning, but two singles, a balk and No. 9 hitter Roemon Fields' two-run triple with one out made it 3-1. Fields went 2-for-2 against him and scored twice. A fielder's choice grounder plated a fourth run. A...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles turned three double plays this afternoon to provide assistance to Mike Wright Jr. in his latest bid to make the rotation, but he couldn't turn back the Blue Jays in a three-run fifth inning that marred his outing. Wright was charged with four runs and nine hits in 4 2/3 innings. He walked a batter, struck out two and committed a balk, and he left the game with a 4.91 ERA in five appearances. Joely Rodriguez stranded two runners by retiring Justin Smoak on a fly...