BRADENTON, Fla. - Already trying to calm his nerves before his first spring training start, left-hander T.J. McFarland didn't need to know that Monday's game would air on ESPN. "Well, thanks for reminding me," he quipped. "No pressure there." McFarland's first seven appearances had come in relief, but the Orioles needed a starter to replace Zach Britton, who was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk yesterday, and manager Buck Showalter wanted to give the Rule 5 pick an opportunity. "It's...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Alexi Casilla is getting another start at shortstop today, with Ryan Flaherty playing second base for the Orioles' game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Brandenton. Nolan Reimold will serve as the designated hitter. For the Orioles: Alexi Casilla SS Ryan Flaherty 2B Nolan Reimold DH Wilson Betemit 3B Jason Pridie RF Trayvon Robinson LF Travis Ishikawa 1B Taylor Teagarden C Chris Dickerson CF Brian Matusz LHP Pitchers Luis Ayala, Troy Patton, Chris Pettit, Jason...

VIERA, Fla. - Stats mean very little in spring. We know this. Ask a player about his sub-par spring training numbers, you're bound to get an eye-roll and a "C'mon, man!" type of look. On the flip side, what's a .375 spring batting average get you? Unless you're competing for a roster spot or a starting job, it'll get you a whole lot of nothing, that's what. That said, it's still interesting to take a look at what guys have accomplished more than a month into spring training games....

The Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs' roster is taking shape as they get closer to their season opener April 4 at Lehigh Valley. They begin with seven games on the road. The roster is not official and could change before opening day, but this list is a good general idea of what the Chiefs will look like next week. The coaching staff has Tony Beasley as manager, with new addition player/coach Jason Michaels assisting batting coach Troy Gingrich and pitching coach Greg Booker. According to milb.com,...

SARASOTA, Fla. - It's not a reach to consider today's start an extremely important one for Orioles left-hander Brian Matusz. Zach Britton has been weeded out of the fifth starter competition. He noted how Jake Arrieta and "B-Matt" have both done "really well." Steve Johnson was cruising along Friday in Port Charlotte before walking the bases loaded with two outs in the third inning and running up his pitch count. Jair Jurrjens tossed five scoreless innings on Friday, allowing only two...

You probably noticed that as of Friday afternoon, I am no longer writing with a Sarasota, Fla., dateline. Now that I have left Florida and am back in chilly Maryland, where it might snow tonight or tomorrow, I thought I'd pass along some observations from spring training while I hope that snow shovel can stay in my basement collecting dust. * Watching the pitchers step up and pitch well in the battle for the fifth starter's position was impressive. It has been a good competition and...

VIERA, Fla. - Oh, hey there. I'm back. After a few days home, I've returned to Viera ready for the final stretch. The Nats now have just five more days down here before shipping up north to take on the Yankees in an exhibition game at Nationals Park on March 29, and I'll have you covered the rest of the way. Big thanks to Pete Kerzel for filling in for me in my absence. My time away from Florida was actually a bit longer than expected; my flight down to Orlando got hit with a lengthy...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Rule 5 pick T.J. McFarland will make his first start of the spring on Monday against the Boston Red Sox at Ed Smith Stadium. Zach Britton was listed as the starter before being optioned today. With Jake Arrieta going from being Tuesday's starter against the Minnesota Twins to pitching at minor league camp, it's probably safe to assume he's going to be named the fifth starter. You can read something into it. The Orioles are expected to make one or two cuts Sunday...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Wei-Yin Chen was handed a couple of excuses for his poor outing today, and he politely declined them. The wind? Didn't aid the three home runs that he surrendered. The limited starts in Grapefruit League games? Doesn't matter. "I felt OK today, but delivery-wise, they got my timing really well today," Chen said through his interpreter after allowing six earned runs (seven total) and eight hits in 3 1/3 innings against the Philadelphia Phillies. "Most of my pitches were...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Wei-Yin Chen may not recognize Grapefruit League hitters today. Maybe that's why he's struggling through three innings. Chen has allowed five runs and seven hits, with two walks, two strikeouts and a hit batter. He's served up back-to-back home runs to Chase Utley and Ryan Howard, and the Philadelphia Phillies have taken a 5-0 lead. Chen has thrown 69 pitches, 44 for strikes, in only his third start outside of Twin Lakes Park. Ben Revere struck out leading off the top of...