BRADENTON, Fla. - Outfielder Trayvon Robinson appeared to suffer a back injury today after lining a run-scoring single into center field in the top of the first inning, and Lew Ford pinch-ran for him. Robinson crouched down in foul territory as head athletic trainer Richie Bancells came out of the dugout. Robinson kept reaching for his lower back with his left hand as he slowly walked to the clubhouse. Robinson, a non-roster invitee who isn't expected to make the club out of spring training,...

BRADENTON, Fla. - The Orioles made a minor league trade today, acquiring 22-year-old pitcher Julio Rodriguez from the Philadelphia Phillies for outfielder Ronnie Welty. Rodriguez is a 6-foot-4 right-hander from Puerto Rico and a former eighth-round pick in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft. He spent last season with Double-A Reading, going 7-7 with a 4.23 ERA in 29 games (22 starts) and 136 strikeouts in 134 innings - placing him third in the Eastern League. Rodriguez was chosen to the World...

BRADENTON, Fla. - While Jake Arrieta appears to be the choice as the Orioles' fifth starter, manager Buck Showalter continues to list five candidates. Arrieta was removed from Tuesday's starting assignment against the Minnesota Twins, with Kevin Gausman taking his place. Arrieta will pitch at Twin Lakes Park. Asked if we could conclude that Arrieta is the fifth starter, Showalte replied, "No." "We just haven't gotten there yet," Showalter added. "I'm not precluding him from being in...

VIERA, Fla. - You never know what information will come out of an interview session with Davey Johnson. Today, reporters learned that former Orioles shortstop Mark Belanger never wore a cup. Don't ask how we got there. We also learned that Henry Rodriguez has hit a bit of a snag in his spring throwing progression, and the question now is whether it will at all affect his status for opening day. Rodriguez will not pitch this afternoon against the Braves after experiencing a little elbow...

VIERA, Fla. - Chris Young is going to wait at least another day before deciding whether to opt out of his minor league contract with the Nationals. Under the terms of his current deal, Young could choose to opt out of his contract with the Nats today and search for a big league deal on the free agent market, but instead, he's planning on making his scheduled start with the team tomorrow in Kissimmee against the Astros. "I'm going to pitch tomorrow and then we'll evaluate at that point,"...

BRADENTON, Fla. - Already trying to calm his nerves before his first spring training start, left-hander T.J. McFarland didn't need to know that Monday's game would air on ESPN. "Well, thanks for reminding me," he quipped. "No pressure there." McFarland's first seven appearances had come in relief, but the Orioles needed a starter to replace Zach Britton, who was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk yesterday, and manager Buck Showalter wanted to give the Rule 5 pick an opportunity. "It's...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Alexi Casilla is getting another start at shortstop today, with Ryan Flaherty playing second base for the Orioles' game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Brandenton. Nolan Reimold will serve as the designated hitter. For the Orioles: Alexi Casilla SS Ryan Flaherty 2B Nolan Reimold DH Wilson Betemit 3B Jason Pridie RF Trayvon Robinson LF Travis Ishikawa 1B Taylor Teagarden C Chris Dickerson CF Brian Matusz LHP Pitchers Luis Ayala, Troy Patton, Chris Pettit, Jason...

VIERA, Fla. - Stats mean very little in spring. We know this. Ask a player about his sub-par spring training numbers, you're bound to get an eye-roll and a "C'mon, man!" type of look. On the flip side, what's a .375 spring batting average get you? Unless you're competing for a roster spot or a starting job, it'll get you a whole lot of nothing, that's what. That said, it's still interesting to take a look at what guys have accomplished more than a month into spring training games....

The Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs' roster is taking shape as they get closer to their season opener April 4 at Lehigh Valley. They begin with seven games on the road. The roster is not official and could change before opening day, but this list is a good general idea of what the Chiefs will look like next week. The coaching staff has Tony Beasley as manager, with new addition player/coach Jason Michaels assisting batting coach Troy Gingrich and pitching coach Greg Booker. According to milb.com,...

SARASOTA, Fla. - It's not a reach to consider today's start an extremely important one for Orioles left-hander Brian Matusz. Zach Britton has been weeded out of the fifth starter competition. He noted how Jake Arrieta and "B-Matt" have both done "really well." Steve Johnson was cruising along Friday in Port Charlotte before walking the bases loaded with two outs in the third inning and running up his pitch count. Jair Jurrjens tossed five scoreless innings on Friday, allowing only two...