With a 2-1 record after the season-opening series against Tampa Bay, the Orioles play their home opener this afternoon at 3:05 p.m. against Toronto at Camden Yards. Right-hander Bud Norris (15-8, 3.65 ERA in 2014) gets the start against Blue Jays lefty Mark Buehrle (13-10, 3.39 ERA). Norris had an excellent record last year against Toronto, going 4-0 with a 1.78 ERA and a .239 batting average against. The Orioles have won four consecutive home openers since a loss to Toronto in 2010. They have...

Has anyone checked weather.com lately? Warmer temperatures, wetter conditions. That pretty much sums it up. The last time I looked, the heaviest rain arrives at 3 p.m., right around first pitch for the Orioles' home opener against the Blue Jays. But it eases up later in the day and I'm sure the club will do everything possible to avoid a potential doubleheader on Saturday. Bud Norris is 4-0 with a 2.36 ERA in six starts against the Blue Jays. He's now 10-3 with a 3.58 ERA in 18 starts at...

WOODBRIDGE, Va. - Nationals left fielder Jayson Werth went 0-for-2 with a walk, a called third strike and a line out to center field on a cold and misty night in his first rehab assignment with high Single-A Potomac. But he said his shoulder felt "good" after playing seven full innings. Werth is looking to return from right AC joint surgery performed in January and was placed on the disabled list, retroactive to March 27, to start the season. "This is a long way away from where I want to...

The Orioles will assign catcher Chris O'Brien to Double-A Bowie after acquiring him and pitcher Ben Rowen from the Dodgers for reliever Ryan Webb, catcher Brian Ward and a competitive balance pick that slots at No. 74. "We have good reports on O'Brien," said executive vice president Dan Duquette. "He's an average catcher and he's got some potential with the bat. He's also a switch-hitter and he had a really good year with the bat last year, particularly left-handed. And he grew up...

The Nationals were overwhelmed by Mets starter Matt Harvey in today's 6-3 loss. Pitching for the first time in a regular season game since Tommy John surgery in October 2013, Harvey struck out half the batters he faced. Nats right fielder Bryce Harper was a victim three times while violently hacking at 97 mph fastballs high and away in each at-bat for third strikes. "He's tough out there," said Harper. "I keep saying it, I've said it a million times, he's gonna be Cy Young (winner) one...

The Orioles today announced that they have acquired minor league catcher Chris O'Brien and right-hander Ben Rowen from the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for right-hander Ryan Webb, minor league catcher Brian Ward and Competitive Balance Round B pick (74th Overall) in the 2015 First-Year Player Draft. O'Brien, 25, batted .266/.341/.438 with seven home runs and a career-high 53 RBI in his first full season at the Double-A level with Chattanooga in 2014. The son of 15-year MLB veteran...

The Orioles have traded reliever Ryan Webb and Triple-A Norfolk catcher Brian Ward to the Dodgers and released catcher J.P. Arencibia, according to multiple sources. No word yet on which players the Dodgers are sending to the Orioles. The Orioles designated Webb for assignment on Monday to make room for catcher Ryan Lavarnway on the 25-man roster. He's owed $2.75 million this season. Webb went 3-3 with a 3.83 ERA in 51 appearances last season after signing a two-year deal with the Orioles on...

In recognition of the 68th anniversary of Jackie Robinson becoming the first African-American player in Major League Baseball, the Orioles will honor Robinson's legacy on Wednesday, April 15, by hosting a "self-expression" contest with the Boys & Girls Club. Members will be challenged to express their thoughts creatively through a speech, poem, art, or skit about Robinson's nine values for success: citizenship, commitment, courage, determination, excellence, integrity, justice, persistence,...

The Orioles are braving the cold for today's workout at Camden Yards. Wool stocking caps have become part of the uniform. Shortstop J.J. Hardy was still scheduled to take some dry swings today, the first time he's grabbed a bat since being diagnosed with a strained muscle in his left shoulder. The next step would be hitting off a tee. Hardy is expected to go on an injury rehab assignment next week at Single-A Frederick. Outfielder David Lough is scheduled to play nine innings in intrasquad...

Orioles right-hander Kevin Gausman mentioned today that he is throwing a pitch that he hasn't thrown in several years. There is a new addition to his repertoire. "I'm actually starting to throw my curveball right now and that is what I threw in the game (against Tampa Bay)," he said. "I feel really good about it, talking with Caleb (Joseph) and other guys that caught me, feel really good about it. I feel very comfortable with it. "Been talking to Tilly (Chris Tillman), because he has a...