BRADENTON, Fla. - The Orioles brought four catchers to McKechnie Field today, including Ryan Lavarnway, who's starting behind the plate. Lavarnway's chances of making the club improved with news that Matt Wieters would begin the season on the disabled list. He could back up Caleb Joseph, who figures to make most of the starts due to his plus defensive skills. "I've been happy with my camp so far," Lavarnway said. "I think as far as where I stand, that's a better question for Buck...

BRADENTON, Fla. - David Lough has been scratched from today's lineup. The Orioles haven't provided an explanation, but one is coming. Everth Cabrera moves from second base to center field. Ryan Flaherty is starting at second. Lough was sidelined for a few days with a sore hamstring. Perhaps it flared up again. We'll find out. For the Orioles Alejandro De Aza LF Steve Pearce RF Jimmy Paredes 3B Delmon Young DH Chris Davis 1B Ryan Lavarnway C Everth Cabrera CF Ryan Flaherty 2B Paul Janish...

JUPITER, Fla. - In the last four seasons, the Miami Marlins have finished with 90, 93, 100 and 85 losses. Now, after a 15-win improvement last season, they're taking aim at challenging the Nationals in the National League East. "Absolutely, we think we have a chance to win the division,'' Marlins closer Steve Cishek said. "This team is playing unselfish baseball. It's a new attitude. The players are buying into it. This team is together. We have a chip on our shoulder. We're ready to...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Catcher Matt Wieters, headed to the disabled list while continuing his recovery from elbow surgery, is unsure whether he'll be in Baltimore for opening day or stay back in Sarasota. Wieters caught only one Grapefruit League game, on March 17, before developing tendinitis in his elbow. "The latest is we're still letting it rest," he said this morning. "We're seeing improvement and it's getting better and feeling better, but at the same time, getting into the mindset where...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Ryan Lavarnway is behind the plate today for the Orioles and Paul Janish is getting another start at shortstop in a 1:05 p.m. game against the Pirates in Bradenton. First baseman Chris Davis also is making the trip. Zach Britton, Wesley Wright, Brad Brach and Logan Verrett are in the bullpen behind starter Ubaldo Jimenez. The bench includes Steve Clevenger, Chris Parmelee, Ryan Flaherty, Dariel Alvarez, Caleb Joseph, Jayson Nix, Nolan Reimold, Julio Borbon, Ozzie Martinez and...

VIERA, Fla. - By now, I'm sure you're aware of the ESPN The Magazine baseball preview, which includes an anonymous poll of major leaguers about a variety of topics. Most notable on the list was the balloting on the game's most overrated player. For the second consecutive year, Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper won - or maybe lost - in a landslide. Harper received 41 percent of the vote, far ahead of Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig, who finished second with 15 percent. The same two topped the...

ABERDEEN, Md. - Former Orioles Cal Ripken Jr. and Bill Ripken see the 2015 Orioles making another run at the playoffs. In fact, they predict it will happen. Before an Aberdeen IronBirds Hot Stove dinner event last night at Ripken Stadium, where they were scheduled to take fans questions, the brothers sized up the Orioles with less than two weeks to go before their opener. "I would say a week ago you might have had some concerns because spring training didn't look so good. And I know we don't...

VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals announced they have optioned right-handed pitcher Taylor Jordan to Triple-A Syracuse, reassigned infielder Matt Skole and right-hander Evan Meek to minor league camp and released right-handed reliever Heath Bell. Bell, a non-roster invitee, came to Viera hoping to find a late-inning role on a Nats staff that lost Tyler Clippard late in the offseason. He wasn't able to regain the magic that saw him appear in three All-Star Games when he was one of the game's best...

VIERA, Fla. - Second baseman Yunel Escobar made a successful exhibition season debut in today's 7-6 win over the Yankees. The eight-year veteran has been sidelined for the past three weeks with a Grade 1 oblique strain, which he suffered just before the Grapefruit League opener. Nationals manager Matt Williams placed Escobar at the top of the lineup in hopes of getting him two at-bats in the three innings he played. Escobar responded right way, legging out a chopper to third for an infield...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles return to the field today after taking a break yesterday, the weather cooperating long enough for many players to get in a round of golf. Heavy rain early in the morning gave way to mostly sunny skies. The schedule consists of a second and final trip to Bradenton, where the Orioles will play the Pirates at 1:05 p.m. They get a second look at Radhames Liz, who allowed one run and two hits in two innings in a March 19 start in Sarasota. Ubaldo Jimenez will make his...