SARASOTA, Fla. - At the risk of getting too far ahead of ourselves, today's injury to Wilson Betemit would seem to increase the chances that Ryan Flaherty makes the team. Flaherty already had placed himself in a favorable position, and his left-handed bat would be a good replacement for Betemit, who isn't nearly as productive from the right side of the plate. If Betemit is out for an extended period, the Orioles also could keep one of their right-handed hitting first basemen/outfielders....

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Kyle Lohse finally has a team. I guess his days of throwing simulated games against community college squads are over. Lohse agreed to a three-year, $33 million deal with the Brewers, according to reports. He'll now have a solid week to get to know his teammates before opening day. Former Nats starter John Lannan got smacked around a bit today. The Phillies lefty gave up 12 runs on 14 hits over four innings today in a game against the Blue Jays. I guess he was just working...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The result of today's game between the Orioles and Red Sox no longer will matter in the home clubhouse. The big concern centers around Wilson Betemit, who left the field on a cart after appearing to injure his right knee in the fifth inning. He had a brace on his right leg while being assisted inside the clubhouse. Betemit fell between first and second base on Manny Machado's fly ball to left field. Betemit was rolling in the dirt in pain as the Red Sox doubled him off...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Making his first spring start today, left-hander T.J. McFarland struck out four of the first eight batters who stepped to the plate. That's the good. McFarland gave up three runs and four hits over the first two innings, including a long two-run homer to Boston's No. 9 hitter, Christian Vazquez. He surrendered three consecutive singles to open the third that moved the Red Sox ahead 4-3. That's the bad. McFarland has been charged with four runs and seven hits in three...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles made two more roster cuts today, optioning infielder Russ Canzler to Triple-A Norfolk and reassigning outfielder Jason Pridie to minor league camp. The moves leave the Orioles with 38 players in major league camp. Canzler was 9-for-34 (.265) with two RBIs in 23 games. Pridie was 13-for-42 (.310) with four doubles, two homers and eight RBIs in 19 games. Canzler also homered twice against Team Spain, but those stats weren't official. The Orioles selected Canzler...

The Orioles today announced that they have optioned infielder Russ Canzler to Triple-A Norfolk and reassigned outfielder Jason Pridie to minor league camp. With the assignment, the Orioles now have 38 players at major league spring training, including 10 non-roster invitees.

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter provided updates on a few injured players and heaped some serious praise on Steve Pearce as part of his pregame session with the media, which took place behind the cage while his club finished up batting practice. On Travyon Robinson: "He feels good. He feels good. We'll give him another day. He's having spasms, cramps. Richie (Bancells) feels he'll be back tomorrow. During the season, I could probably use him." On Ryan Flaherty starting...

After an overwhelming fan response last season, the Orioles have announced the return of the AT&T Fans' Choice Bobblehead promotion for 2013. Fans will once again be able to select the player they want to be immortalized in a bobblehead giveaway, scheduled to be distributed during Fan Appreciation Weekend on Sunday, September 29 to the first 20,000 fans age 15 and over. Fans can vote for any of five players selected by the Orioles who have not had a bobblehead before: left-hander Wei-Yin...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis took another round of batting practice today at Ed Smith Stadium and is expected to serve as the designated hitter for Tuesday's game against the Minnesota Twins in Fort Myers. Markakis hasn't played since March 1 because of a herniated disc in his neck. His progression has taken him from hitting off a tee to soft toss to live batting practice the past two days. Markakis wouldn't be the only regular on the trip. Manager Buck Showalter...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Chris Tillman said his four-inning, 62-pitch outing yesterday at Twin Lakes Park was "really good" and he remains confident that he will avoid a trip to the disabled list. Tillman faced a group of Orioles minor leaguers in an 11 a.m. start, with pitching coach Rick Adair staying back to watch before joining manager Buck Showalter in Bradenton. "It went well," Tillman said. "I got the work in. Everything was there. Command was really good. I'm pretty happy with...