SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles will take the field this morning at 10 a.m. to stretch and begin another workout. Third baseman Manny Machado is expected back in camp after being away yesterday. And we finally know that reliever Luis Ayala is staying, which really makes the most sense after his participation in the Caribbean Series. It's time for him to focus on the Orioles, and to allow them to adjust his schedule so he's properly rested while still able to get ready. We can debate whether...

The Orioles' Single-A Delmarva affiliate will certainly have an experienced manager this year when Luis Pujols skippers the Shorebirds in his first season in the O's organization. A native of the Dominican Republic, the 57-year-old Pujols has spent 13 seasons with Detroit and San Francisco as a major league coach, and in 2002 he was named interim manager of the Tigers six games into the season after Phil Garner was fired. A young Tigers squad, with 13 players making their big league debuts,...

VIERA, Fla. - Is Christian Garcia a starter? Is the promising 27-year-old a reliever? No one knows at this point, not even Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo or manager Davey Johnson. The Nationals' decision makers are coming into this spring with an open mind on Garcia, letting how the righty pitches and how their pitching staff is constructed steer their decision on how Garcia will be used. "We know he can do both, and that's an important thing," Rizzo said early this afternoon....

SARASOTA, Fla. - Here are some quotes from today's press conference announcing reliever Darren O'Day's two-year deal, which includes a club option for 2015. O'Day earned $1.35 million last season, and he sought $3.2 million in arbitration. According to an industry source, he will be paid $2.2 million this season and $3.2 million in 2014. He also could earn $4.25 million in 2015 if the Orioles exercise his option, which includes a $400,000 buyout. "Very deserving. I'm very proud of...

VIERA, Fla. - This was Rafael Soriano's first bullpen session since arriving at Nationals camp on Saturday, so he wasn't about to overdo it. Soriano took part in some long toss as the Nationals' pitchers warmed up at the start of their workout, then chatted with manager Davey Johnson and pitching coach Steve McCatty, the three men discussing how heavy a workload to give Soriano early in camp. The 33-year-old righty then took a mound about midway down the bullpen 10-pack, two mounds away...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Reliever Luis Ayala apparently has informed pitching coach Rick Adair that he's not going to pitch for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic. Manager Buck Showalter passed along the news to reporters following today's Orioles workout. Ayala already left the facility and Adair is in a meeting. I'll provide an update later. Also, third baseman Manny Machado and pitcher Zach Braddock missed today's workout because they were undergoing additional procedures as part of their...

VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals' Grapefruit League opener is now just five days away, and while pitchers haven't started throwing live batting practice yet, manager Davey Johnson already knows who his starter for the spring opener will be. Stephen Strasburg will get the ball Saturday, as the Nationals head to Port St. Lucie to take on the Mets in their first Grapefruit League game of the year. The Nationals' spring home opener against the Marlins, which is Sunday, will be started by Jordan...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Japanese left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada threw 20 pitches off a half-mound today and remained encouraged by his recovery from ligament-reconstructive surgery. Wada found out yesterday that he would throw from the half-mound, something he's done in the past while "taking it easy and having fun," he said through his interpreter/athletic trainer. "This was the first time actually throwing hard on the half-mound. About 70 percent to 80 percent," he said. "The plan for now I have...

The Orioles today announced that they have agreed to terms with right-hander Darren O'Day on a two-year contract with a club option for 2015, thus avoiding arbitration. O'Day, 30, went 7-1 with a 2.28 ERA (67.0IP, 17ER), setting career-highs in wins (7 - 2nd among AL relievers), games (69), IP (67.0) and strikeouts (69) in 2012. It was his first season with the O's after being claimed on waivers from Texas on November 2, 2011. He is 15-6 with a 2.73 ERA (247.2IP, 75ER) in 255 career games...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The clubhouse closed to the media at 9 a.m. today because the Orioles were having their annual nutrition meeting. Meanwhile, Kevin Gausman still has packets of mini-powdered donuts taped around his locker, and a few players were munching on the ones distributed yesterday in bags. You had to appreciate the irony. No updates on Luis Ayala, who wants to leave camp to pitch for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic. It may or may not happen. I may be tired of asking him. Wei-Yin...