SARASOTA, Fla. - Everth Cabrera is leading off and playing shortstop today in the Orioles' first exhibition game against the Tigers in Lakeland, Fla. Matt Tuiasosopo is serving as the designated hitter and batting fourth. J.P. Arencibia is behind the plate. Henry Urrutia and Dariel Alvarez are on the trip as reserves. For the Orioles Everth Cabrera SSJonathan Schoop 2BNolan Reimold RFMatt Tuiasosopo DHTravis Snider LFJimmy Paredes 3BJ.P. Arencibia CDavid Lough CFChristian Walker 1B Ubaldo...

VIERA, Fla. - Michael A. Taylor's rare combination of power and speed has led him to be considered as one of the top prospects in all of baseball. The 23-year-old made the jump to the majors in August 2014 and hit his first home run in his big league debut at Citi Field in New York. Most would think that would easily be the highlight for his short stint in the majors, but the humble Taylor offered another when asked. "I think being a part of the no-hitter was probably the highlight," said...

VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals have agreed to terms with outfielder Tony Gwynn Jr. on a minor league contract with an invitation to major league spring training. The 32-year-old has played parts of eight seasons in the majors with the Brewers, Padres, Dodgers and Phillies. Gwynn played his college ball at San Diego State and was drafted by Milwaukee in the second round of the 2003 First-Year Player Draft. His best year in the majors came with the Padres, where his father, Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn,...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The first exhibition game is upon us. All it requires is about a 90-minute drive to Lakeland, Fla. Don't bother looking for the regulars. Orioles manager Buck Showalter already confirmed that Adam Jones, Matt Wieters, Chris Davis, Manny Machado, J.J. Hardy and Steve Pearce aren't making the trip. And neither is Caleb Joseph, who's staying in Sarasota until his son is born. Ubaldo Jimenez gets the start and is scheduled to throw two innings. The bullpen includes Eddie Gamboa,...

Don't worry, Orioles fans, I am honestly not trying to get your blood pressure elevated and I'm not trolling you. But I do want to spend some time today discussing this topic: O's season predictions. Keep in mind this very, very important fact: Predictions are interesting to look at and debate, but they mean nothing. If you don't believe me just go back to some predictions for last year, which missed on the Orioles by a mile. But even after the Orioles posted 96 wins, an American League...

VIERA, Fla. - Stephen Strasburg, Max Scherzer and Tanner Roark took the hill yesterday, throwing to actual hitters for the first time this spring training. Today brought a chance for the rest of the rotation - Doug Fister, Gio Gonzalez, and Jordan Zimmermann - to show its pitches to live Nationals stepping into the batter's box. "Gio's velocity was really good. His curveball was good," manager Matt Williams said. "Zim was typical Zim in that he just pounded the zone with the exception of...

The Orioles have announced plans for the first home game of their 2015 Spring Training season and their sixth season in Sarasota. The team will face the Detroit Tigers at Ed Smith Stadium this Wednesday, March 4, at 1:05 p.m. All fans in attendance will receive a 2015 Spring Training schedule magnet, courtesy of Visit Sarasota County, as well as a rally towel provided by the Orioles. The first 1,000 female fans in attendance will also receive a bird of paradise flower, courtesy of Beneva...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles pitcher Bud Norris is celebrating his 30th birthday today. He's used to being in spring training for the occasion and much prefers spending it in Sarasota after training with the Astros in Kissimmee. "My girlfriend's here and her birthday was yesterday," Norris said. Norris isn't certain when he's scheduled to make his Grapefruit League debut, but he's ready. "You work a lot of the offseason to get your body in shape, but really for the pitchers and catchers our...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Ubaldo Jimenez is scheduled to work two innings in Tuesday's exhibition opener against the Tigers in Lakeland, Fla. The travel squad will include infielder Drew Dosch, outfielder Julio Borbon and pitcher Mychal Givens from minor league camp. Manager Buck Showalter said Pat Connaughton, the Orioles' fourth-round pick in the 2014 First-Year Player Draft who plays for the Notre Dame men's basketball team, has been throwing to stay sharp and get his arm ready for minor league...

As Grapefruit and Cactus league games get started, the Nationals hope that Bryce Harper, Ryan Zimmerman and Jayson Werth can stay healthy. Also, the area's other local nine, the Orioles, needs health in Manny Machado's knees and Matt Wieters' elbow. Here's a look at other teams with similar concerns: * Wil Myers, San Diego: The all-pitch, no-hit Padres from a year ago have revamped their outfield with Justin Upton, Matt Kemp and the 24-year-old Myers, who was named American League Rookie of...