Hello, readers. Time to crack the covers again in the name of reading and all the joys it can bring! This is the second year for the "Hitting the Books" blog and we are back because you good people took kindly to our efforts. Here are some reminders: This is not a typical book review space. This is for fun. The idea was to share with you books I enjoy reading with all the travel time I have to fill. We expanded our reach last year to hear from managers, players, coaches, broadcasters and...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles have signed left-hander Zach Phillips to a major league deal and designated Chris Jones for assignment, providing an insurance policy for their bullpen. Phillips took his physical last night and was re-introduced to the media this morning in an informal interview session. This is a reunion for Phillips, who pitched for the Orioles in 2011 and 2012 after being acquired from the Rangers in July 2011. He went 0-0 with a 3.21 ERA in 16 appearances. Phillips, 29, elected...

The Orioles today announced that they have signed left-hander Zach Phillips to a one-year contract. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Orioles have designated left-hander Chris Jones for assignment. Phillips, 29, pitched for Triple-A Charlotte last season in the Chicago White Sox organization, going 1-1 with a 3.13 ERA (19 ER/54.2 IP), 64 strikeouts, and 12 saves over 46 relief appearances. In 365 career minor league games (98 starts), he has gone 39-45 with a 3.85 ERA (369 ER/863.1 IP),...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles first baseman Chris Davis is making the trip to Bradenton for today's game against the Pirates. Rule 5 pick Joey Rickard is leading off and playing center field. Caleb Joseph is serving as the designated hitter. Former Pirate Pedro Alvarez isn't in the lineup. Catcher Matt Wieters is staying back to catch Chris Tillman and Yovani Gallardo during their bullpen sessions. He considered making the trip and serving as the DH, but figured he would get more work done at the...

VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals enjoyed their lone day off of the entire spring Tuesday - who am I kidding, reporters covering the Nats really enjoyed their lone day off of the entire spring - but now they return to the field for the home stretch. There are eight remaining days of Grapefruit League games, beginning at 5:05 p.m. this afternoon when the Nationals host the Yankees (televised on MASN, by the way). Up to this point, the spring has been about making sure everyone gets their work in and...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are making their first trip to Bradenton today to play the Pirates. They return to McKechnie Field in four nights. Have they changed the bulbs in the lights? Twenty-five watts aren't enough. Miguel Gonzalez is making his fourth start. Two have been acceptable, two have been awful. He'd like to break the tie by dominating the Pirates and solidifying his place in the rotation. Chris Tillman no longer is bothered by a sore hip. Ubaldo Jimenez is the king of minor...

He has not pitched in a minor league game since July 25, 2014. But after a 2015 season where he dealt with an injury setback or two, Orioles 2013 first-round pick Hunter Harvey is hopeful for full health in 2016. The 21-year-old right-hander has missed time due to a strained right flexor mass in addition to a shin injury that happened when he was hit by a batted ball last March. About a week ago at spring training, Harvey told me, "I feel great. It is nice to finally not have any pain. That...

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Dylan Bundy stranded three inherited runners today and shut out the Twins in the sixth inning in his latest impressive outing for the Orioles, who lost 5-1 at Hammond Stadium. Bundy walked one and struck out one in the sixth. He's allowed one unearned run and one hit in his last four appearances covering 5 1/3 innings. "I thought Bundy pitched well again. We're really happy with where Dylan is. It's good to see," said manager Buck Showalter. "I'll tell you, the last...

ORIOLES QUICK WRAP Score: Orioles 5, Twins 1 Recap: Joe Mauer hit a wind-aided two-run homer off Mike Wright in the first. Wright was charged with three runs and five hits in four innings, with one walk, three strikeouts and a wild pitch. Rule 5 pick Joey Rickard had an RBI double in the third inning. Trevor Plouffe hit a two-run homer off Odrisamer Despaigne, who worked only two-thirds of an inning, allowed two hits and walked three batters. Dylan Bundy stranded three inherited runners after...

FORT MYERS, Fla. - The news on Matt Wieters today is good. It's somewhat encouraging on Kevin Gausman. It's pretty bad on Brian Matusz and Jimmy Paredes. As I wrote earlier, Wieters played catch from 90 feet today and his right elbow continues to improve. He also continues to take batting practice and was a consideration for the designated hitter role in Wednesday's game in Bradenton. "That's an attendance game, so I don't want to put us in any jeopardy," said manager Buck Showalter....