JUPITER, Fla. - In his quest to correct what ailed him in 2017 and recapture the form that made him one of baseball's most effective starters prior to that, Tanner Roark has a simple plan: Simplify. Simplify his mechanics. Simplify his timing. Simplify his windup. And simplify his thought process when he's on the mound. "I was just in my head, just thinking too much," Roark said in explaining his struggles last season. "And when you think, you suck." While a line like that might be worthy...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The competition for the utility job with the Orioles increased today with Éngelb Vielma's arrival in camp. Meet the new guy. Same as the old guy - just late getting here. Vielma was detained in Venezuela while trying to get his visa. He flew into the area last night, took his physical today and waited for a chance to play. "It's definitely very frustrating because all I was thinking about was the opportunity that's been presented to me," he said via translator Ramón...

JUPITER, Fla. - In his spring debut for 2018, Tanner Roark flashed some of what made him one of the majors' most effective starters in 2014 and 2016 but left him a frustrated pitcher in 2017: Well-located two-seam fastballs. Roark used that bread-and-butter pitch this afternoon to strike out the side in the bottom of the second against the Marlins, capping an efficient performance in his first outing of the spring. Roark needed an inning to get his feet wet, allowing a single to J.T. Realmuto...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles haven't posted their lineup for tonight's home intrasquad game against the Twins, but second baseman Jonathan Schoop expects to be in it. Schoop was scratched yesterday with bursitis in his left elbow, but he's feeling much better today. "I'm doing good," he said. "I don't even know the name of it, but it's nothing to worry about. I think I'm playing today. Just wanted to take it easy yesterday, but I think I'm playing today." Schoop doesn't know how he...

JUPITER, Fla. - The Nationals had plenty of reasons to want to relocate their spring training headquarters from remote Viera to the more centrally located West Palm Beach, but here's another one: the chance to take batting practice at home before a road game in Jupiter. That's what the Nats did today, keeping everyone back at FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches for a full morning workout and BP session before the travel squad and coaching staff boarded buses at 11:45 a.m. and make the quick...

JUPITER, Fla. - A very pleasant good morning to you from Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium, spring home of the Marlins and Cardinals and playing host today to the Nationals for the first of seven road games this spring. It's only a 15-minute drive from West Palm Beach, and because of that the Nats are trying something new this year: They're staying back to take batting practice and fielding drills at home, then boarding the bus at 11:45 a.m. and heading straight to Jupiter for the game. A lot of...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are playing split-squad games today against the Phillies in Clearwater and the Twins in Sarasota. I'm covering the home nightcap, with the clubhouse opening to media at 1 p.m. Chris Davis is wearing the gray pants today as the only projected starter on the trip. Anthony Santander is playing right field after serving as the designated hitter yesterday against the Rays. Ryan Mountcastle is playing third base and Chance Sisco is catching. Former Orioles infielder Ryan...

There was once an Orioles right-handed pitcher that was a pretty decent prospect and a top 100 draft pick. But he struggled badly in his first three seasons in the majors and fans lost confidence in him. Mike Wright? Right? Well yes, but before him there was Chris Tillman. From 2009-11 - Tillman's first three big league seasons - he went 7-15 with an ERA of 5.58. He allowed 205 hits in 180 2/3 innings. In Mike Wright's first three big league seasons, he has gone 6-9 with a 5.86 ERA allowing...

SARASOTA, Fla. - While Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop and pitcher Miguel Castro are sidelined indefinitely with elbow and knee conditions, respectively, closer Zach Britton is preparing for his second round of catch this morning as he slowly works his way back to the mound. Britton is following up on his first flat-ground throwing session on Thursday at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. "I think we're going to be on an every-other-day schedule, obviously depending on how I feel and things...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - There are certain points in a ballplayer's career when priorities change. Early on, he simply wants to establish himself as big league regular. Then it's about cashing in and setting himself and his family up financially for life. And then, once all the rest has been accomplished, comes the final priority for a veteran who has enjoyed personal success but perhaps is lacking one major accomplishment on his resume: A shot at a ring. Howie Kendrick has had a fine career...