SARASOTA, Fla. - Players use spring training to improve and Orioles right-hander Kevin Gausman did some of that in a nearly-empty stadium this morning. Pitching in a B game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Ed Smith Stadium, Gausman faced a decent Bucs lineup, one that included Pedro Alvarez, Greg Polanco, Francisco Cervelli and former Oriole Steve Lombardozzi. The Orioles and Pirates tied 2-2 in a seven inning game. He threw 50 pitches (32 strikes) over three innings allowing three hits and...

BRADENTON, Fla. - The Orioles made two camp cuts before today's game against the Pirates, optioning infielder Rey Navarro to Triple-A Norfolk and reassigning outfielder Matt Tuiasosopo to minor league camp. The Orioles now have 49 players in spring training, including 11 non-roster invitees. Navarro, who is projected to start at second base at Triple-A Norfolk, was 4-for-12 with a home run and two RBIs. The Orioles signed him to a major league deal in late November. Tuiasosopo, who also could...

The Orioles today announced that they have optioned infielder Rey Navarro to Triple-A Norfolk and reassigned outfielder Matt Tuiasospo to minor league camp. With these moves, the Orioles now have 49 players at Major League Spring Training, including 11 non-roster invitees.

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - The Nationals have optioned right-handed pitcher Taylor Hill to Triple-A Syracuse and reassigned right-handers Eric Fornataro, Mitch Lively, and Scott McGregor to minor league camp. Hill, 26, made three appearances this spring, allowing two earned runs on five hits in four innings, while striking out five, walking none and hitting two batters. A sixth-round pick by the Nationals in 2006, Hill rejoins Syracuse, where he was 11-7 with a 2.81 ERA in 24 starts last season. He made...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Kevin Gausman gave up one run over three innings this morning in his third spring outing as he faced the Pittsburgh Pirates in a B game at Ed Smith Stadium. Gausman got off to a strong start, pitching a scoreless first, working around a leadoff single by former Oriole Steve Lombardozzi. He then retired the Pirates in order with two strikeouts on just eight pitches in the second. Down 2-0, the Pirates got one off Gausman in the third. With two outs and none on, Lombardozzi...

BRADENTON, Fla. - Manny Machado swiped second in Wednesday's exhibition game at Ed Smith Stadium, which was noteworthy for a couple of reasons. Machado has two surgically repaired knees and he's never been a prolific basestealer, going 10-for-17 in three major league seasons. Will he be running more often in 2015? "I hope so, I hope so," he said this morning. "My legs feel great. Every day they feel better. "I just wanted to test it out and see if I was able to do that. I felt a little...

BRADENTON, Fla. - I've taken my obstructed-view seat in the second row of the McKechnie Field press box. My colleague, Steve Melewski, is in Sarasota for the B game against the Pirates, who are starting left-hander Francisco Liriano. Steve Clevenger is playing third base in the B game and J.P. Arencibia is at first base. Matt Wieters is making another start behind the plate. Manager Buck Showalter is trying to get his catchers some extra at-bats The Orioles are using two designated hitters,...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles third baseman Manny Machado is making the trip to Bradenton for today's game against the Pirates. This is the Orioles' shortest trip of the spring. Chris Davis is starting in right field. Caleb Joseph is behind the plate. For the Orioles Alejandro De Aza LF Steve Pearce 1B Chris Davis RF Adam Jones CF Travis Snider DH Manny Machado 3B Ryan Flaherty SS Caleb Joseph C Jonathan Schoop 2B Wei-Yin Chen LHP Relievers include Mark Hendrickson, Brad Brach, Steve Johnson, Mike...

VIERA, Fla. - Nationals manager Matt Williams made his usual wholesale substitutions before the seventh inning of Tuesday's road game against the Mets. The Tradition Field public address announcer began reading them off so fans could recognize the changes. "At shortstop, Difo for Espinosa," he said while continuing down the line with every player's name and position until he got to the last. "At first base, 18 for 33 ...18 for 33." No. 18 is Kila Ka'aihue. That's pronounced Kee-la...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles have two more games scheduled for today, with only the one in Bradenton counting in the Grapefruit League standings and stats. Left-hander Wei-Yin Chen is making his third start. He's tossed five scoreless innings with only two hits allowed, one walk and three strikeouts. Chen will attempt to join Ubaldo Jimenez as the only Orioles' starters to complete four innings. Logan Verrett threw two scoreless innings yesterday and said he'll probably pitch again on...