The Orioles have signed veteran major league right-hander Freddy Garcia to a minor league contract. He is expected to begin the year in the rotation at Triple-A Norfolk. In a separate transaction, the Orioles traded with San Francisco to acquire veteran reliever Scott Proctor for cash considerations. Proctor, who pitched in Korea last year, is also expected to begin the season with Norfolk, pitching out of the bullpen. "Here's two veteran pitchers that have been successful in the big...

Right-hander Jordan Zimmermann got his work in, a final start against the New York Yankees in an exhibition game before the games count for real on Monday. The Yankees won the game 4-2 with four runs in the fourth inning. The rally ignited with a Kevin Youkilis solo shot to left field. Nationals manager Davey Johnson said Zimmermann was happy to just get this one in and get ready for the Miami Marlins, but didn't think his right-hander felt like himself at the beginning. "Zimm didn't feel...

In the end, the Nationals weren't about to take a chance on parting ways with a relief pitcher capable of hitting triple digits. Despite an up-and-down spring, right-hander Henry Rodriguez has claimed the final spot in the Nationals bullpen. Manager Davey Johnson made the announcement after Friday's 4-2 exhibition loss to the New York Yankees at Nationals Park, surprising a team public relations official who had just told reporters the word on the Nats' final roster moves wouldn't come...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles pitcher T.J. McFarland was in the weight room doing shoulder exercises this afternoon when manager Buck Showalter approached him with the news. McFarland had made the club as a Rule 5 pick. "He came right up to me and said it straight up," McFarland said. "There was no messing around or nothing. I shook his hand and said, 'Thank you,' and he said, 'Congratulations,' and that was awesome. "I'm breaking with the team, I made the club. I'm so happy, I'm...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles defeated State College of Florida 6-1 today in a game that doesn't count in the Grapefruit League standings. T.J. McFarland tossed four perfect innings, striking out six. The left-hander will find out later today whether he made the club. Got to like his chances. Travis Adair, son of pitching coach Rick Adair, homered in the bottom of the eighth to complete the scoring. Chris Tillman allowed one unearned run and two hits in five innings today, with two walks and...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The rotation is set. Orioles manager Buck Showalter has chosen Jake Arrieta as his No. 4 starter, allowing the right-hander to pitch the home opener for the third consecutive season. Arrieta will take the mound on April 5 against the Minnesota Twins at Camden Yards after Jason Hammel, Wei-Yin Chen and Miguel Gonzalez start the three games against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Chris Tillman will come off the disabled list and pitch on April 6. He allowed one run and...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles most likely will have all of their roster cuts done today with the exception of one. This includes injured players going on the disabled list. Nick Markakis led off today's game with a single off Chris Tillman, and a sacrifice fly gave State College of Florida a 1-0 lead. Markakis walked leading off the second inning. Tillman has allowed one run and one hit, with two walks and two strikeouts in two innings. Russ Canzler had an RBI single in the bottom of the...

The last time Bryce Harper faced Yankees lefty Andy Pettitte, the pitcher got the better of the Nationals rookie hitter. Harper was 0-for-3 with three strikeouts against Pettitte, and didn't look very good. So much for the domination. Facing Pettitte in the first inning of today's exhibition game at Nationals Park, Harper singled with two down, smacking the ball sharply to right field on Pettitte's first pitch, an 89-mph two-seamer. That makes Harper 11-for-11 with a walk and a sacrifice...

With opening day arriving Monday, the lineup sheet for the Nationals' exhibition against the Yankees lists only two left-handers: Zach Duke and J.C. Romero. Manager Davey Johnson said at spring training in Viera, Fla., he is confident in the right-handers, and their plus stuff, to be able to go after either side of the plate and not have to be so worried about match-ups. Right-hander Ryan Mattheus agreed that this bullpen is talented enough to be able to challenge the hitters, regardless of...

The Double-A Harrisburg Senators released their opening day roster today. The talented roster includes top prospects Anthony Rendon, Matt Skole, Brian Goodwin and Nathan Karns. According to a press release, the roster includes eight players listed in the Baseball America's Top 28 Nationals prospects: Rendon (1), Goodwin (3), Skole (4), Karns (5), Sandy Leon (15), Rick Hague (16), Destin Hood (17) and Paul Demny (28). Harrisburg home opener is April 4 versus Bowie Baysox. Here is the roster...