FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Orioles have scheduled an MRI on Monday for right fielder Nick Markakis to determine the cause of his neck stiffness. Markakis didn't show much improvement today - he wakes up each morning with the same discomfort - and the Orioles have arranged an examination. "Just to be on the safe side," said manager Buck Showalter. Markakis hasn't played since March 1, his fourth game of Grapefruit League season. He was scratched from the March 3 lineup. "Richie (Bancells)...

FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Orioles are in the market for a catcher to improve their depth in the minor league system. Matt Wieters is entrenched as the starter, of course, and a healthy Taylor Teagarden will serve as his backup. But there are some concerns beyond those two backstops. That's one reason why manager Buck Showalter is eager to take a look at Luis Martinez, selected off waivers from the Texas Rangers on Jan. 4. Martinez was reassigned to the minor league camp on Thursday, but he's...

VIERA, Fla. - It hasn't taken long for Ryan Zimmerman to get his swing back after offseason shoulder surgery. With his 3-for-3 performance today against the Marlins, Zimmerman is now 6-for-12 on the spring with two extra-base hits. One of the two is a home run, which Zimmerman crushed off Marlins lefty Brad Hand in the fifth inning this afternoon to tie the game 6-6. "I haven't been worrying about him," manager Davey Johnson said. "He's just a good hitter. He's got plenty of power....

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter has filled one of the open dates on the Grapefruit League schedule by arranging an intrasquad game Tuesday. The club hasn't announced a time or whether it will be played at the Ed Smith Stadium complex, but it will provide innings for a handful of pitchers. Jason Hammel, Steve Johnson, Mike Wright, Jair Jurrjens, Eduardo Rodriguez, Troy Patton and Daniel Schlereth will throw on Tuesday. Wright and Rodriguez were reassigned to minor league...

VIERA, Fla. - Zach Walters just crushed his second homer in as many games, a deep shot out to right-center that gave the Nationals the lead in the bottom of the eighth. Carlos Rivero added an RBI single later in the inning, giving the Nats an 8-6 lead going to the ninth. Given Chris Young's line today in his spring debut (3 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 BBs, 2 Ks), his description of his outing seems pretty apt. "Erratic," Young said. "I'd say that it was just a little out of sync, but physically I...

VIERA, Fla. - Chris Young wasn't awful in his first Grapefruit League start this spring. He wasn't great, either. Great analysis, I know. Young worked three innings this afternoon, allowing three runs on three hits with three walks and two strikeouts. Threes were wild. At times, the 35-year-old right-hander lost complete command of the strike zone. He issued a four-pitch walk to open the game and then another one to begin the third inning. Other times, Young looked pretty darn sharp. He...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Russ Canzler is getting a start at third base tonight, as the Orioles travel to Fort Myers to play the Boston Red Sox. Danny Valencia moves over to first base. Nolan Reimold is again serving as the designated hitter, batting third tonight ahead of Conor Jackson. For the Orioles: Alexi Casilla SS Lew Ford CF Nolan Reimold DH Conor Jackson RF Steve Pearce LF Russ Canzler 3B Danny Valencia 1B Yamaico Navarro 2B Luis Exposito C Dylan Bundy RHP For the Red Sox: Holt 2B Gomes...

VIERA, Fla. - Davey Johnson debuted a new nickname for Nationals pitching coach Steve McCatty today: "Mother Hen McCatty." "He likes to have (his pitchers) close and at hand," Johnson said, breaking out into a giant smile. Johnson joked that "Mother Hen" didn't handle yesterday's beatdown by the Cardinals too well. "After giving up 16 runs yesterday, he had a hard day yesterday and a hard night last night," Johnson said. McCatty will be pleased to hear that right-hander Nathan...

VIERA, Fla. - Bill Bray has reported to the Nationals' minor league camp after being reassigned on Sunday, but Will Ohman has not. Ohman, who also was reassigned to minor league camp, requested and was granted his unconditional release. The 35-year-old, who made just one spring appearance with the Nats, allowing two hits and two walks in an inning of work, is now a free agent. Bray will continue to work on his mechanics over at minor league camp. The veteran lefty has had trouble finding his...

VIERA, Fla. - Gio Gonzalez might not get a chance to represent his country after all. In a bit of a shocker, a stacked Team USA lost to Mexico in the first round of play in the World Baseball Classic last night. Adrian Gonzalez (who was born in the United States, mind you) hit a two-run homer off R.A. Dickey and the Mexican team scored a big 5-2 win. This sets up a crucial game for the Americans today against Italy. There are multitudes of different scenarios here, but from what I understand,...