PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - A.J. Cole labored through 1 2/3 innings, allowing one run on four hits and two walks. Curtis Granderson slammed a full-count fastball over the left field wall to give the Mets a 1-0 lead in the first. David Wright and Michael Cuddyer followed with singles and Cole then walked Daniel Murphy to load the bases. He eventually got John Mayberry Jr. to hit into an inning-ending double play. After another walk and a single by Juan Lagares in the second, Cole's days was done,...

JUPITER, Fla. - Bud Norris fell an out short of making it three consecutive Orioles starters to work three innings with today's outing against the Cardinals at Roger Dean Stadium. Norris took a 1-0 lead into the third before serving up a three-run homer to former Orioles infielder Mark Reynolds following a one-out single and walk. Norris allowed three runs and four hits in 2 2/3 innings, with three walks, one strikeout and a hit batter. He threw 54 pitches, 28 for strikes. In his first two...

JUPITER, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter spent last night in a hotel near Roger Dean Stadium, avoiding the three-hour drive this morning. That's a veteran move. Showalter is hoping that Kevin Gausman can go three or four innings in Sunday's B game at Ed Smith Stadium. It's scheduled for seven innings. The next round of cuts aren't expected before Saturday. The Orioles optioned knuckleballer Eddie Gamboa to Triple-A Norfolk following yesterday's 5-2 loss to the Blue Jays. "He needs...

PORT ST. LUCIE. Fla. - Right-hander A.J. Cole makes his first start of the exhibition season today. Cole, one of the Nationals' prized prospects, gave up two runs (one earned) on two hits in 2 1/3 innings against the Cardinals on Saturday. "First time out, his breaking ball wasn't as sharp as he wanted it to be, so that's part of the plan today, to be able to throw that where he wants to throw it," said Nationals manager Matt Williams. "So that's probably key for him today to feel better...

PORT ST. LUCIE, FLA. - Nate McLouth makes his first start of the spring today, leading off as the designated hitter. McLouth received two at-bats in yesterday's game, going 1-for-2 with a single. Nationals manager Matt Williams said McLouth won't play in the field until sometime next week as he continues on a throwing program while recovering from shoulder surgery. Hitting second, Danny Espinosa should get at least two at-bats from the right side of the plate against Mets right-handed starter...

JUPITER, Fla. - The Orioles are sparing the majority of their regulars the long trip to Jupiter today. Jonathan Schoop is at second and Everth Cabrera is playing shortstop while leading off for this afternoon's game against the Cardinals. Bud Norris is making his second spring start after allowing four runs on four hits in one inning his first time out. J.P. Arencibia will start behind the plate. The reserves making the trip are Steve Clevenger, Ryan Flaherty, David Lough, Chris Parmelee,...

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - An ingrown toenail has forced Stephen Strasburg to be scratched from making his second start of the spring today. Highly ranked prospect A.J. Cole, who was scheduled to pitch at some point against the Mets, will now get the ball first. It will be Cole's second appearance of the exhibition season after giving up two runs (one earned) on two hits in 2 1/3 innings against the Cardinals on Saturday. This is actually the second go-around for Cole with the Nationals, who...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The last time that the Orioles were faced with a decision regarding Darren O'Day's contract, the reliever avoided arbitration by agreeing to terms on a two-year deal with an option for 2015. O'Day received $2.2 million in 2013 and $3.2 million in 2014, and the Orioles exercised his $4.25 million option for this season. Here we are again. O'Day is one of 11 pending free agents on the roster and unsure whether the Orioles will negotiate another multi-year deal. So far, there...

Here is one final preseason edition of 10 questions for O's fans. You may be worn out of answering my questions by now, but I always enjoy reading through the responses. As usual, answer one, a few or all 10. Provide a short answer or longer, the choice is yours. Please number the answers to make it easier to follow. On to the questions: 1. Between Jonathan Schoop, Ryan Flaherty and Everth Cabrera, which of the three is most likely to start the year in the minor leagues? 2. Who will win the...

VIERA, Fla. - Right-hander Stephen Strasburg has been scratched from making his second start of the exhibition season on Thursday after undergoing surgery to remove an ingrown toenail "Stras had an ingrown toenail, so we're going to have him throw on the minor league side where we can control innings," Nationals manager Matt Williams said after Wednesday's 9-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers. "He's a little bit sore moving around. He's perfectly fine." Highly ranked pitching prospect...