SARASOTA, Fla. - Russ Canzler is getting a start at third base tonight, as the Orioles travel to Fort Myers to play the Boston Red Sox. Danny Valencia moves over to first base. Nolan Reimold is again serving as the designated hitter, batting third tonight ahead of Conor Jackson. For the Orioles: Alexi Casilla SS Lew Ford CF Nolan Reimold DH Conor Jackson RF Steve Pearce LF Russ Canzler 3B Danny Valencia 1B Yamaico Navarro 2B Luis Exposito C Dylan Bundy RHP For the Red Sox: Holt 2B Gomes...

VIERA, Fla. - Davey Johnson debuted a new nickname for Nationals pitching coach Steve McCatty today: "Mother Hen McCatty." "He likes to have (his pitchers) close and at hand," Johnson said, breaking out into a giant smile. Johnson joked that "Mother Hen" didn't handle yesterday's beatdown by the Cardinals too well. "After giving up 16 runs yesterday, he had a hard day yesterday and a hard night last night," Johnson said. McCatty will be pleased to hear that right-hander Nathan...

VIERA, Fla. - Bill Bray has reported to the Nationals' minor league camp after being reassigned on Sunday, but Will Ohman has not. Ohman, who also was reassigned to minor league camp, requested and was granted his unconditional release. The 35-year-old, who made just one spring appearance with the Nats, allowing two hits and two walks in an inning of work, is now a free agent. Bray will continue to work on his mechanics over at minor league camp. The veteran lefty has had trouble finding his...

VIERA, Fla. - Gio Gonzalez might not get a chance to represent his country after all. In a bit of a shocker, a stacked Team USA lost to Mexico in the first round of play in the World Baseball Classic last night. Adrian Gonzalez (who was born in the United States, mind you) hit a two-run homer off R.A. Dickey and the Mexican team scored a big 5-2 win. This sets up a crucial game for the Americans today against Italy. There are multitudes of different scenarios here, but from what I understand,...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles will be playing under the lights again. They love the night life, they've got to boogie. It's worth the trek to Fort Myers to watch Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman pitch against the Boston Red Sox. This will be the first time they've appeared in the same game this spring. Gausman has been a day behind. Manager Buck Showalter decided to give Bundy the start. He asked reporters for their opinions before making the announcement, mostly out of curiosity. We can't...

BRADENTON, Fla. - Troy Patton threw two scoreless innings to pick up the save tonight in the Orioles' 6-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Patton hadn't gone more than 1 1/3 innings in his first three outings. "He feels good physically," said manager Buck Showalter. "Tonight was a good opportunity." Brian Matusz also tossed two scoreless innings against the Pirates and did more throwing in the bullpen to increase his workload to three innings. "Brian threw the ball well. We...

Even though much of the game was played during the late night and early morning hours when some fans could not or did not watch it live, Jonathan Schoop's big game against Cuba has certainly created a buzz through the O's fanbase, a buzz that includes some fans wondering what a future Orioles infield could look like. Will there be a day in the next year or next few years where Manny Machado patrols at shortstop and Schoop at second base? And how do others with promise like Ryan Flaherty...

BRADENTON, Fla. - Wei-Yin Chen was charged with his first earned run this spring while he sat on the bench. Tommy Hunter let an inherited runner score on Pedro Alvarez's single with two outs in the third, cutting the Orioles' lead to 4-2. Chen also permitted an unearned run in his 2 1/3 innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates at McKechnie Field. He allowed one hit, walked two and struck out four. Chen appeared to be done after the second, but he faced two batters in the third, issuing a...

BRADENTON, Fla. - Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis won't be in Sunday's lineup against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Ed Smith Stadium because of continuing stiffness in his neck. Markakis' neck tightened up again yesterday while he played with his kids, according to manager Buck Showalter. He's better today - basically back to where he was two days ago - but the Orioles aren't taking any chances. "He's still close, but I wouldn't say Sunday. I'll probably wait a little bit on that...

VIERA, Fla. - It was just eight pitches, but for Henry Rodriguez and the Nationals, it was a big step in the right direction. Rodriguez worked one inning in this afternoon's 16-10 loss, setting the Cardinals down in order in the sixth. The hard-throwing righty threw eight pitches, seven of which were strikes, in retiring J.R. Towles, Ryan Jackson and Greg Garcia. This was Rodriguez's first game appearance since last July 31, after which he underwent surgery to clean up a bone spur in his...