The Orioles today announced that they have optioned infielder Christian Walker to Triple-A Norfolk and right-hander Dylan Bundy to Double-A Bowie. Right-hander Hunter Harvey has been reassigned to minor league camp. Left-hander Mark Hendrickson has been released. With these moves, the Orioles now have 45 players at Major League Spring Training, including nine non-roster invitees.

It would be nice to see how 2013 second-round selection Jake Johansen fares this season. The 6-foot-6 right-hander and Allen, Texas, native went 5-6 with a 5.19 ERA in 29 games last season for low Single-A Hagerstown. The 24-year-old made 18 starts with 89 strikeouts and 55 walks over 100 2/3 innings. Johansen, who is just about as big as teammate Lucas Giolito, is looking to maintain consistency from start to start with a more efficient delivery, something that eluded him at times last year....

CLEARWATER, Fla. - After going two and three innings over his first two spring starts, Orioles right-hander Miguel Gonzalez stretched out to four innings today against the Phillies at Bright House Field. He retired the first nine Phillies in order on 34 pitches, before allowing two runs in his fourth inning. "Good. Better than last time," Gonzalez said. "I was staying tall over the rubber. Really worked on it in my side last time. It paid off, felt really good." With a 14-pitch first...

ORIOLES QUICK WRAP Score: Orioles 16, Phillies 4 Recap: The bats came out of the deep freeze today, recording 21 hits. Chris Davis hit a three-run homer off Cole Hamels in the top of the first inning to give the Orioles a quick lead. Everth Cabrera walked and Steve Pearce singled before Davis came to the plate. Jimmy Paredes and Davis had RBI doubles in the second. Jayson Nix had an RBI single off Mike Nesseth in the third and Paredes belted a three-run homer. Nolan Reimold hit a two-run homer...

CLEARWATER, Fla. - It may be tougher for the Phillies to trade Cole Hamels after today's start against the Orioles, who brought the big bats to Bright House Field and built a 9-0 lead after three innings. The Orioles totaled five runs and six hits off Hamels in two innings. Chris Davis hit a three-run homer in the first and added a run-scoring double in the second. Jimmy Paredes also doubled to score Jayson Nix, who ... wait for it ... doubled. Nix, who was 3-for-16 before today, had an RBI...

NATIONALS QUICK WRAP Score: Nationals 2, Astros 1 Recap: Jordan Zimmermann allowed one unearned run on three hits with three strikeouts and one walk in four innings. The Nationals got on the board quickly, as Michael A. Taylor led off the game with a triple. He tagged up and scored when Ian Desmond hit a sac fly to right field one batter later. The Nationals took the lead in the seventh when Clint Robinson delivered a triple, scoring Tony Gwynn Jr. Aaron Barrett pitched a scoreless ninth, but...

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Lots of newsy nuggets from today's media session with manager Buck Showalter. The Orioles have released veteran left-hander Mark Hendrickson, who allowed six runs in 3 1/3 innings this spring, including two yesterday against the Pirates with the score tied 2-2 in the eighth. Showalter met with Hendrickson this morning before coming to Clearwater. The Orioles want to keep Hendrickson in the organization and believe he would make a good pitching instructor, but the lefty would...

VIERA, Fla. - One of the biggest questions facing the Nationals with exactly three weeks to go before opening day is who will be atop the lineup. Denard Span most likely won't be available to return to his normal spot until May, as he's recovering from abdominal surgery. Anthony Rendon batted first for two spring games until he went down with a sprained left MCL. Michael A. Taylor, today's leadoff hitter, has been used the most in that place in the order. "We have options," manager Matt...

With spring training half over and three weeks until opening day, here are questions and answers regarding some of the storylines from Florida and Arizona: Question: Will the Cubs have power-hitting third base prospect Kris Bryant in the lineup when they open April 5 in Wrigley Field against St. Louis? Answer: Bryant, who hit 43 home runs at two minor league levels last season, has been blasting away in the Cactus League and into the headlines this spring, but the chances of the Cubs having him...

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Some young pitchers from the minor leagues continue to show well in major league exhibition games with the Orioles. Mike Wright, Hunter Harvey and Tyler Wilson have combined to pitch 11 2/3 scoreless innings over their last seven appearances. Wright was the latest to take the mound and tossed 2 2/3 scoreless frames yesterday in Bradenton against the Pirates, allowing just one hit with no walks and three strikeouts. "I feel very good about the way camp is going and I feel...