SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles started this camp with six non-roster pitchers, and now only Steve Johnson and Chaz Roe remain. Johnson said his right shoulder feels good following surgery in September to shave down a bone spur. He has looked good in three spring appearances, at times looking like the pitcher the Orioles saw in 2012 when Johnson went 4-0 with a 2.11 ERA and helped the team make the playoffs. Manager Buck Showalter has taken note. "I kept telling Wally (Dave Wallace), 'I've seen...

LAKELAND, Fla. - There's a marquee pitching matchup today as the Nationals send right-hander Stephen Strasburg to the mound, while the Tigers will start former American League MVP Justin Verlander. Strasburg missed his last start after having an ingrown toenail removed. He gave up two runs on three hits with two walks and two strikeouts in 1 2/3 innings in his first appearance of the spring on March 7. Right fielder Bryce Harper is one of three starters who made the trip to Lakeland today....

SARASOTA, Fla. - Rule 5 pick Jason Garcia will throw live batting practice today before the Orioles' game against the Twins at Ed Smith Stadium. Garcia tweaked his left hamstring exactly one week ago against the Yankees and has been held out of games. "That last pitch, I kind of felt something in my hamstring," he said. "Nothing major. It's just been some ice and stim, and I think I'm getting on the mound today. I'll see how it feels. "They said it wasn't even mild enough to grade. It...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles catcher Matt Wieters is behind the plate and batting fifth today for a 1:05 p.m. game against the Twins that airs on MASN HD. Wieters gets to make throws to second base. As many as he wants, or as many as the Twins dictate with their running game. Bud Norris is 0-2 with a 7.18 ERA in two starts, allowing seven runs and eight hits in 3 2/3 innings, with four walks, three strikeouts, a hit batter and a wild pitch. The bullpen includes Tommy Hunter, Darren O'Day, Tim...

VIERA, Fla. - In a game that included two triples, a throw was perhaps the most incredible part of yesterday's 2-1 win over the Astros. Houston outfielder Alex Presley ripped a ball past the extended Danny Espinosa and into the right-center gap in the fifth inning. As right fielder Bryce Harper casually made his way to the ball, Presley headed for second. In a flash, Harper fired a bullet to the bag and Presley was tagged out by Wilmer Difo. "I came up slow on that on purpose, just to see...

SARASOTA, Fla. - He is a former top prospect that had a solid year in 2014 and now he may be playing a position where he is one of the players replacing a fan favorite in Baltimore. Nick Markakis is gone and Travis Snider, acquired in a January trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates, may get some of the starts in right field this year. What can he bring to the Orioles? "Just an everyday intensity," Snider said. "I like to keep things loose and have fun in the clubhouse and play hard on the field,...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The day has arrived. Matt Wieters will be behind the plate for today's Grapefruit League game against the Twins at Ed Smith Stadium. The opponent won't be told to treat the stolen base like a felony. The Twins can run and Wieters can fire the ball to second. Just like the good ol' days. He can't wait for his first opportunity. Dr. James Andrews set March 17 as the target date and Wieters didn't experience any setbacks that forced a change in plans. He's been building for...

VIERA, Fla. - It was just two days ago that Nationals manager Matt Williams got a scare when Gio Gonzalez fell to the ground on a ball hit hard back up the box. Some hearts probably skipped a beat in the third inning of today's 2-1 win over the Astros when Jordan Zimmermann was knocked off his feet on a ball Robbie Grossman smoked right at him. Zimmermann was able to quickly get his glove up to deflect the ball while falling backward. He popped up and located the ball, making a throw to first...

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Brad Brach pitched the ninth inning today for the Orioles and retired the Phillies in order with a strikeout. However, he wasn't credited with a save. Must be some obscure rule about 12-run leads. The Orioles erupted for 21 hits today in a 16-4 victory over the Phillies. Let's see if they left anything in the tank for Tuesday's game against the Twins in Sarasota. Did Showalter enjoy watching the offensive fireworks? You figure it out. "You bet your sweet (butt)," he...

CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Orioles reduced their spring training roster to 45 players today by optioning pitcher Dylan Bundy to Double-A Bowie and first baseman Christian Walker to Triple-A Norfolk and reassigning pitcher Hunter Harvey to minor league camp. The announcement was made following the Orioles' 16-4 thrashing of the Phillies at Bright House Field. Bundy allowed a run and two hits in 1 1/3 innings, with two walks, a strikeout and a hit batter. He didn't look comfortable on the mound for...