SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles will be playing under the lights again. They love the night life, they've got to boogie. It's worth the trek to Fort Myers to watch Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman pitch against the Boston Red Sox. This will be the first time they've appeared in the same game this spring. Gausman has been a day behind. Manager Buck Showalter decided to give Bundy the start. He asked reporters for their opinions before making the announcement, mostly out of curiosity. We can't...

BRADENTON, Fla. - Troy Patton threw two scoreless innings to pick up the save tonight in the Orioles' 6-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. Patton hadn't gone more than 1 1/3 innings in his first three outings. "He feels good physically," said manager Buck Showalter. "Tonight was a good opportunity." Brian Matusz also tossed two scoreless innings against the Pirates and did more throwing in the bullpen to increase his workload to three innings. "Brian threw the ball well. We...

Even though much of the game was played during the late night and early morning hours when some fans could not or did not watch it live, Jonathan Schoop's big game against Cuba has certainly created a buzz through the O's fanbase, a buzz that includes some fans wondering what a future Orioles infield could look like. Will there be a day in the next year or next few years where Manny Machado patrols at shortstop and Schoop at second base? And how do others with promise like Ryan Flaherty...

BRADENTON, Fla. - Wei-Yin Chen was charged with his first earned run this spring while he sat on the bench. Tommy Hunter let an inherited runner score on Pedro Alvarez's single with two outs in the third, cutting the Orioles' lead to 4-2. Chen also permitted an unearned run in his 2 1/3 innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates at McKechnie Field. He allowed one hit, walked two and struck out four. Chen appeared to be done after the second, but he faced two batters in the third, issuing a...

BRADENTON, Fla. - Orioles right fielder Nick Markakis won't be in Sunday's lineup against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Ed Smith Stadium because of continuing stiffness in his neck. Markakis' neck tightened up again yesterday while he played with his kids, according to manager Buck Showalter. He's better today - basically back to where he was two days ago - but the Orioles aren't taking any chances. "He's still close, but I wouldn't say Sunday. I'll probably wait a little bit on that...

VIERA, Fla. - It was just eight pitches, but for Henry Rodriguez and the Nationals, it was a big step in the right direction. Rodriguez worked one inning in this afternoon's 16-10 loss, setting the Cardinals down in order in the sixth. The hard-throwing righty threw eight pitches, seven of which were strikes, in retiring J.R. Towles, Ryan Jackson and Greg Garcia. This was Rodriguez's first game appearance since last July 31, after which he underwent surgery to clean up a bone spur in his...

VIERA, Fla. - Jordan Zimmermann didn't really look like himself this afternoon in the Nationals' 16-10 loss to the Cardinals. Neither did Nathan Karns. There might be a reason for that. Zimmermann gave up eight runs on nine hits over three innings, while Karns surrendered seven runs (one earned) in just 2/3 of an inning. According to manager Davey Johnson, both guys were battling medical issues. For Zimmermann, it's merely a case of dead arm, according to Johnson, who said that the...

The Orioles today announced that they have agreed to terms with 17 players on one-year contracts, completing agreements with all players on the 40-man roster. Today's agreements included right-handers Jake Arrieta, Zach Clark, Miguel Gonzalez, Steve Johnson, Pedro Strop and Chris Tillman; left-handers Mike Belfiore, Zach Britton and T.J. McFarland; catcher Luis Exposito; infielders Ryan Flaherty, Manny Machado, Yamaico Navarro, Jonathan Schoop and Danny Valencia; and outfielders Xavier Avery...

VIERA, Fla. - While Jordan Zimmermann and Nathan Karns took a beating today for the Nationals, Rafael Soriano and Henry Rodriguez delivered scoreless innings in relief. Rodriguez, making his spring debut after working back from elbow surgery and some biceps tightness, pitched a 1-2-3 sixth inning this afternoon, and needed just eight pitches to do so. Manager Davey Johnson had originally planned to give the flame-throwing righty just one batter this afternoon, but he ended up being...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Tsuyoshi Wada threw on one of the back fields today. Manny Machado is getting dressed for the workout, no evidence of swelling in his face after yesterday's root canal. Taylor Teagarden is preparing to take batting practice and catch bullpen sessions, the discomfort in his lower back fading. Never hurts to check. "I was pretty much a full participant in yesterday's workout and I'm going to do it again today," Teagarden said. "Make sure that the back feels good. It's...