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...

The Washington Nationals today placed right-handed pitcher Christian Garcia on the 15-Day Disabled List, retroactive to March 22, with a right forearm tendon injury and outrighted infielder Carlos Rivero to Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Rivero will remain in Major League Spring Training. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. The Nationals currently have 31 players in their big league camp.

VIERA, Fla. - After more than five long months of waiting, we only have to wait a bit longer. Opening day is just one week away. Only four more Grapefruit League games down here in Florida (not that anyone's counting or anything), an exhibition against the Yankees at Nationals Park and two off-days stand between the Nationals and their 2013 regular season opener against the Marlins on April 1. I think I can speak for all parties involved here - fans, players and reporters - that the opener...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Ryan Flaherty is playing right field today and left-hander T.J. McFarland is making his first start this spring, as the Orioles host the Boston Red Sox. Rule 5 rules. For the Orioles: Brian Roberts 2B Nate McLouth LF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Chris Davis 1B J.J. Hardy SS Wilson Betemit DH Manny Machado 3B Ryan Flaherty RF T.J. McFarland LHP Mark Hendrickson, Jim Johnson, Darren O'Day, Pedro Strop, Jason Gurka and Chris Petrini also are listed as available...