When Nationals second-round pick Jake Johansen went to D.C. to work out for the Nats leading up to the draft, general manager Mike Rizzo and scouting director Kris Kline told him that they viewed him as a starter, which went contrary to what Johansen was hearing from other scouts, who projected him as a reliever at the pro level. That was something that immediately stood out in the 22-year-old's mind. "I logged it away and I was just hoping that the Nationals would be able to get the chance...

For the Orioles scouting staff, the home stretch has arrived. Months of scouting, watching video, talking to coaches and players, and writing reports culminates in what has happened the last two days with the actual drafting of players. Ten rounds of this draft is in the books and the draft concludes today, starting at 1 p.m., with rounds 11 through 40. In an interview last night after day two was in the books, O's scouting director Gary Rajsich looked ahead to today. He said the deeper...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Brian Roberts sat at a table in the visiting clubhouse at Tropicana Field after last night's game, a plate of food in front of him and first baseman Chris Davis sitting to his right. Roberts smiled, nodded and dug his fork into a late dinner as Davis engaged him in conversation. Once again, Roberts was part of the team, even though he wore a sweater and jeans instead of a uniform. Roberts took a break from his rehab in Sarasota to visit teammates, walk around the...

The Orioles announced after tonight's game that they have optioned left-hander Mike Belfiore to Triple-A Norfolk. Belfiore was recalled from Norfolk prior to tonight's game. He was also with the Orioles earlier this season, May 12-13, but did not appear in a game. A corresponding roster move will be announced tomorrow.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - For the second day in a row, the Orioles recalled a player from Triple-A Norfolk and optioned him following the game. One and done. Left-hander Mike Belfiore was sent back to Norfolk after tonight's 2-1 loss to the Rays. He wasn't being punished. He didn't pitch. He just sat in the bullpen and watched for nine innings. The move was anticipated, and it's a clear signal that the Orioles plan to activate reliever Pedro Strop from the 15-day disabled list before...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - James Loney led off the bottom of the seventh inning tonight with a single into left-center field, putting the tying run on base against Orioles starter Jason Hammel. Desmond Jennings stepped to the plate, and a few Orioles anticipated a bunt to move Loney into scoring position. Jennings swung at the first pitch and launched a two-run homer to center field. "I went up there thinking he might bunt him over," said Manny Machado following the Orioles' 2-1 loss to the...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles made a minor league trade tonight, acquiring first baseman Seth Loman from the Chicago White Sox organization for cash considerations. Loman, 27, was batting .223/.390/.471 with six doubles, eight homers and 19 RBIs in 39 games at Triple-A Charlotte. He's a career .282/.382/.509 hitter with 123 homers and 424 RBIs in 668 minor league games over eight seasons. Loman has played 319 games at first base. He also can play the outfield. MLB.com first reported...

The Orioles drafted three high school catchers in the first six rounds of this year's draft and have taken four catchers among their first 11 picks so far. Orioles scouting director Gary Rajsich said tonight that was not necessarily to help a position that some consider lacking in depth in the organization. "Well, I know what it looks like, but really, in a year like this where there is so much good catching depth in the draft, you kind of have to get it while it's there," Rajsich said....

The Orioles made eight picks on day two of the 2013 First Year Player Draft on Friday, completing rounds 3-10. After two days of the draft, the Orioles have selected 11 players overall, four pitchers and seven position players, with five of the selections being college products. The Orioles selected one right-handed pitcher, three left-handed pitchers, four catchers, two infielders and one outfielder. The draft will conclude tomorrow with rounds 11-40. ROUND, PLAYER, POS 1 (22),...

High school catcher Alex Murphy, drafted in round six by the Orioles out of Calvert Hall in Baltimore today, told MASNsports.com tonight that he has already agreed to terms with the team. He has not been officially signed and there has not been any announcement, but the deal has been agreed to and he will soon report to Sarasota, Fla., for orientation with his hometown team. "I haven't signed anything yet, but I will be signing and I'm proud to be an Oriole," Murphy said. Murphy is a...