PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Nick Markakis hit off a tee, threw and ran this morning at the Ed Smith Stadium complex, and it went extremely well, according to manager Buck Showalter. Markakis will hit soft toss on Saturday and also run and throw again as he nears a return to the Orioles' lineup. "He's got that grin on his face on his face where you know he's going, 'Why don't we just start playing games?'" Showalter said. Tsuyoshi Wada and T.J. McFarland threw today back in Sarasota. Mark...

VIERA, Fla. - First pitch in the Tigers-Nationals game is 20 minutes way, but the Nats have made two more cuts. Right-hander Cole Kimball has been optioned to Triple-A Syracuse, while right-hander Jeremy Accardo has been reassigned to minor league camp. Kimball, in his first camp since right shoulder surgery performed in July 2011, pitched to a 2.84 ERA in seven relief appearances this spring. He hasn't pitched since March 13 because of tightness in his back and was scheduled to throw a...

The Washington Nationals today optioned right-handed pitcher Cole Kimball to Syracuse of the Triple-A International League and re-assigned right-handed pitcher Jeremy Accardo to minor league camp. Earlier today, the Nationals agreed to terms with left-handed pitcher J.C. Romero on a minor league contract with an invitation to Major League Spring Training. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements. The Nationals currently...

VIERA, Fla. - Closer Rafael Soriano, less than a day removed from a root canal to treat an infected wisdom tooth, will not pitch as scheduled today against the Tigers. "He's recovering from a long day in the dentist's chair. ... He'll be pitching tomorrow," manager Davey Johnson said. "Talking to him earlier today, he's not feeling ready to go." Johnson said the delay won't affect his plans to pitch Soriano in back-to-back games by the end of spring training. While Soriano's a lock...

VIERA, Fla. - Stop me if you've heard this one before: The Tigers are playing the Nationals today. Yes, for the third time in six days, and the second time in five days at Space Coast Stadium. Today's contest will be broadcast on MASN HD beginning at 1 p.m. Play-by-play voice Bob Carpenter and analyst F.P. Santangelo will have the call. Here are today's lineups: For the Tigers: CF - Quintin Berry RF - Don Kelly DH - Victor Martinez 1B - Prince Fielder C - Brayan Pena LF - Matt...

VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals' search for left-handed relief help has taken them in a familiar direction. This morning, the club signed veteran J.C. Romero to a minor league deal with an invitation to the final days of big league spring training. The Nationals scouted Romero during his recent stint with the Puerto Rican entry in the World Baseball Classic, where he worked to a 3.86 ERA in five games and demonstrated improved velocity. "We're going to give J.C. an opportunity to see if he can...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Buck Showalter likes to say a player should "bring what he can bring" to the team. By that, he means do the things you do well and don't try to be someone you are not on the field. One thing new Orioles infielder Alexi Casilla brings to this team is the ability to steal bases. That could be a nice addition to an Orioles team that ranked last in the American League in steals last season with 58 and tied for last with just a 67 percent success rate on the bases. The...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Jonathan Schoop, back from the World Baseball Classic, will start at shortstop today for the Orioles in their 1:05 p.m. game against the Tampa Bay Rays. Ryan Flaherty is starting at third base. For the Orioles: Alexi Casilla 2B Trayvon Robinson LF Ryan Flaherty 3B Wilson Betemit 1B Conor Jackson DH Jason Pridie RF Taylor Teagarden C Chris Dickerson CF Jonathan Schoop SS Steve Johnson RHP Notes: The travel roster today includes pitchers Jair Jurrjens, Daniel McCutchen, Adam...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Nick Markakis stood at his locker this morning, held a bat and took a couple of swings. He didn't have an ice pack on his neck. So far, so good. Markakis, cleared yesterday to begin baseball activities, will hit off a tee and do some light throwing as part of a three- or four-day progression. "That's what I was hoping for," he said. "I don't know exactly what I'm going to do today, but I'll do a little bit and get reevaluated tomorrow and go from there." Markakis...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles fans bring up the topic often. That is, the question about a possible long-term contract for catcher Matt Wieters. The two-time All-Star is clearly a player that any team would have interest in locking up long-term. But when is the time right for those contract talks? It doesn't seem to be now, as Wieters has three years to go before he could entertain possible free agency after the 2015 season. I asked Wieters if the team has approached him at all about a long-term...