SARASOTA, Fla. - Miguel Gonzalez is scheduled to throw four innings today at the minor league complex at Twin Lakes Park. Manager Buck Showalter prefers to keep his projected starters away from the Orioles' division rivals, though there's plenty of video floating around these days. Zach Britton, T.J. McFarland, Luis Ayala and Mark Hendrickson will pitch today against the Boston Red Sox at Ed Smith Stadium. The Red Sox brought Clayton Mortenson, Alex Wilson, Chris Hernandez and former Orioles...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles' 2012 winner of the Brooks Robinson Award, which goes to their minor league Player of the Year, is using spring training here at major league camp to do more than just "get his work in." LJ Hoes is taking advantage of what he calls a "blessed opportunity" every day here at Ed Smith Stadium. Hoes has a locker between Nolan Reimold and Nick Markakis. He has become close friends with Adam Jones. He is taking time to pick their brains on a lot of things, things...

VIERA, Fla. - Ross Detwiler was on normal rest yesterday, but the Nationals left-hander didn't get the call during Team USA's 3-1 loss to the Dominican Republic in last night's World Baseball Classic. Team USA starter R.A. Dickey went five innings in the loss, so there wasn't much need for another multiple-inning guy. Manager Joe Torre went to five different relievers last night, none of whom worked more than 1 1/3 innings. The Americans will have an elimination game against Puerto Rico...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Nate McLouth will lead off and play center field today against the Boston Red Sox. Brian Roberts is batting second. Wilson Betemit, who started at third base yesterday, is the designated hitter. For the Orioles: Nate McLouth CF Brian Roberts 2B Matt Wieters C Chris Davis 1B J.J. Hardy SS Wilson Betemit DH Manny Machado 3B Chris Dickerson RF Lew Ford LF Zach Britton LHP Chris Tillman's bullpen session went well yesterday and he's scheduled to throw two innings Saturday at...

While the Nationals continue holding camp in Viera, Fla., a few players made themselves known on the big stage, participating in the World Baseball Classic. Pitchers Ross Detwiler and Gio Gonzalez pitched four and five scoreless innings, respectively, for Team USA, both of which led to victories. On Wednesday, fellow hurler Stephen Strasburg was officially named the Nats' opening day starter. While Strasburg is a lock, the catcher's position is looking more open, with Wilson Ramos ahead of...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro is one of the many connections made by executive vice president Dan Duquette that may pay off for the Orioles. Niekro is working for the Orioles as a consultant of sorts, as he mentors knuckleballer Zach Staniewicz at the Twin Lakes Park complex. Long story short: The Orioles signed Staniewicz, 26, after Niekro recommended him to Duquette. Staniewicz went to Atlanta on his own to work out with Niekro, who later contacted Duquette and said that...

This week, with a little more downtime in my schedule, I've been able to dig into "From 33rd Street to Camden Yards," a book by John Eisenberg. Using quotes of Orioles, from Boog Powell to Earl Weaver, Eisenberg has taught me Orioles history through first-hand accounts. While I have yet to finish the book, I have been reminded of the rich history of Baltimore baseball while simultaneously watching current Orioles in the World Baseball Classic and spring training this week. Talk about...

SARASOTA, Fla. - When your manager is Buck Showalter, a player knows he has to take care of the little things and always be prepared to best do his job. The latest example came yesterday when Showalter spent a good portion of his postgame interview session talking about pitchers' times to home plate out of the stretch. It is clear Showalter was not thrilled with some of the organization's pitchers in that respect when he came to the Orioles and he and his pitching coaches - in the majors...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Executive vice president Dan Duquette confirmed that the Orioles signed Clayton Tanner to a minor league deal and will assign him to Twin Lakes Park, where he will attempt to land a job at Double-A Bowie or Triple-A Norfolk. "He should be in town soon," Duquette said. Tanner, 25, signed the deal on Sunday, after the Orioles received permission from the Australian Baseball Federation. They scouted Tanner while he pitched for Australia in the World Baseball Classic. "He...

VIERA, Fla. - Chris Young provided a solid four innings on the mound, Micah Owings provided the pop. The Nationals beat the Astros 6-3 this afternoon in large part due to the efforts of a 33-year-old pitcher and a 30-year-old pitcher-turned-position-player who are both in camp on minor league deals. Young threw four innings of one-run ball this afternoon. Outside of a leadoff homer that came on his fourth pitch of the game, Young did well to hold the Astros without a run, working out of a...