The Orioles were the featured team last night on MLB Network's "30 clubs in 30 days." Analysts Harold Reynolds and Mitch Williams talked about the O's in the studio, while Ron Darling reported from O's camp in Sarasota, Fla. We'll save some of their season predictions later, but here is what they said on several O's topics. Darling on the rotation: "This is the crux of the Baltimore Orioles, and why they went out and got Ubaldo (Jimenez). They feel like a team of two and three-type...

MELBOURNE, Fla. - The Nationals announced tonight that they've released catcher Chris Snyder, one more step to getting their roster down to the 25 players it will contain come opening day. Snyder, 33, signed a minor league contract with the Nats in December. He hit .294 (5-for-17) with a homer, a double and five RBIs in 12 games this spring. The veteran had a solid enough camp, but he had no realistic chance of making the Nats' opening day roster after the team acquired catcher Jose Lobaton...

SARASOTA, Fla. - It appears that the Orioles have made their final decision on a backup catcher. Steve Clevenger was told that he's going to head north with the club, according to a tweet from agent Joshua Kusnick. Here it is: "Congratulations to steve clevenger. He officially made the orioles" Sounds legit to me. And it's the obvious choice, given recent transactions and Clevenger's performance this spring. The Orioles have been checking outside the organization for available...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles will try to outrun the rain today, racing down to Fort Myers for a 1:05 p.m. game against the Twins. Bud Norris will take the mound. Hopefully, he won't find out how much water the mound can take. Ryan Flaherty will make the trip, perhaps getting another start at third base. Not a bad idea to give him as many innings as possible with Manny Machado headed to the disabled list. Manager Buck Showalter indicated yesterday that newly acquired Steve Lombardozzi is a...

JUPITER, Fla. - Matt Williams has a tough decision ahead of him. Well, he has a few of them, but probably the toughest call the Nationals skipper will have to make in the final days of spring training is which right-hander he will award his team's final rotation spot to - Tanner Roark or Taylor Jordan. Jordan got his last start of spring today, and he impressed, allowing just one run on five hits over 5 2/3 innings, with a walk and two strikeouts. He threw 86 pitches, 58 for strikes, and...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Brian Matusz had his start last Monday in Clearwater washed away by heavy rains. He lasted two innings today against the Red Sox before the weather caused another cancellation. If the baseball gods are going to keep messing with him, could they at least bring an umbrella? Matusz headed to the indoor batting cage with catcher Caleb Joseph and elevated his pitch count from 29 to 70. "Went back and forth from the windup to the stretch, and just building that pitch count....

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles third baseman Manny Machado hasn't circled a date on his calendar for his first game of the spring. "Never will," he said. "That's not me." So, what's next for Machado after being told yesterday that the Orioles would put him on the 15-day disabled list prior to opening day. "Play baseball. That's all," he said. "Go out there and get ready and come back and help the team whenever I can, whenever I'm ready to play baseball. It's unfortunate but it's...

On Thursday, March 27, the Orioles will host the 4th annual All Faiths Food Drive to help people in need in the Sarasota area. All fans attending the 7:05 p.m. game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Ed Smith Stadium are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items and/or monetary donations to benefit the All Faiths Food Bank. Since 2011, 2,400 pounds of food and $3,500 in cash donations have been collected at the yearly food drive to help people in need in the Sarasota area. Last year, All Faiths...

Today's Orioles-Red Sox game at Ed Smith Stadium has been cancelled due to rain. There will be no makeup date. Fans holding paid tickets for today's game may exchange their tickets for Thursday, March 27, the only remaining Spring Training game at Ed Smith Stadium, subject to availability, or obtain a refund. On non-game days, tickets may be exchanged at the stadium box office from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. On the day of a game, beginning two hours prior to game time, tickets may be exchanged for...

NATIONALS QUICK WRAP Score: Nationals 4, Marlins 1 Summary: Taylor Jordan worked 5 2/3 strong innings, allowing just a run. Nate McLouth homered, doubled, walked and drove in two. Craig Stammen, Ross Detwiler and Aaron Barrett combined to work 3 1/3 scoreless innings. Need to know: Jordan left a solid final impression on manager Matt Williams in his last outing of spring. Now it'll come down to him or Tanner Roark for the final spot in the Nats rotation. On deck: Tuesday, vs. Mets at home,...