SARASOTA, Fla. - Jason Hammel's first spring start of 2013 resulted in two scoreless innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Hammel gave up one hit, a double to Chase d'Arnaud in the first inning. The ball cleared Adam Jones' head in center field and hopped the fence. He struck out two batters, and his fastball was mostly 91-92 mph. Hammel threw 39 pitches, 27 for strikes. He got ahead 0-2 on five of the seven batters he faced. Brian Roberts led off the bottom of the first inning with a...

VIERA, Fla. - Not only was Bryce Harper featured on his second Sports Illustrated cover last week, the Nationals' 20-year-old phenom has also landed on the cover of Men's Health. Harper joins Angels outfielder Mike Trout and Giants catcher Buster Posey on one of the covers, but each player will also have his own individual cover, as well. "be as sexy as you can," but it's close. Chris Young was scheduled to throw another bullpen session today, but he is no longer on the pitching schedule...

MLB Network this week completed its countdown of the top 100 players in Major League Baseball right now. Their list is, of course, subjective and yours may be different. They ranked the Angels' Mike Trout as the game's No. 1 player followed by Detroit's Justin Verlander and Miguel Cabrera second and third with the Dodgers' Matt Kemp and Clayton Kershaw fourth and fifth. Four Orioles made the list with Adam Jones at No. 23, Matt Wieters No. 48, J.J. Hardy No. 66 and Jim Johnson at No....

SARASOTA, Fla. - There isn't much competition for the backup catching job in Baltimore. If Taylor Teagarden is healthy, he figures to break camp with the team. Teagarden woke up this morning with lower-back spasms, again bringing his health into question. He didn't debut for the Orioles last season until July 14, when he hit a walk-off home run against the Detroit Tigers at Camden Yards, because of discomfort in his lower back that shut him down for most of spring training. Teagarden's...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Catcher Taylor Teagarden woke up this morning with spasms in his lower back and will take off the next few days, according to manager Buck Showalter. Teagarden was sidelined last spring with lower-back discomfort. We're not certain if it's a similar condition. The clubhouse is closed to the media during batting practice, but we hope to meet with Teagarden later and get a full report. "We've got plenty of time. We're not going to rush him," Showalter said. "I think...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles center fielder Adam Jones stood at his locker this morning wearing a bright yellow T-shirt with "Hulkamania" in red letters across his chest, a nod to former pro wrestling champion Hulk Hogan. Yes, Jones is a real American. Need more proof? He's leaving camp Saturday to join Team USA in Phoenix for the World Baseball Classic. "Get to play for your country," he said, describing his excitement at the chance to represent. "I'm going to miss these guys here, but...

VIERA, Fla. - After a lengthy night game last night, the Nationals will travel to Lake Buena Vista today for another 6:05 p.m. start, this time against the Braves. This will mark three night games in a five-game span, but after today, the Nats will play 13 straight afternoon contests. Players much prefer matinee games in spring, as do reporters. Night games, especially those on the road, really mess with the standard routine down here. The players are most definitely creatures of habit and...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Brian Roberts is leading off for the Orioles today against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Ed Smith Stadium. Nick Markakis is batting second and playing right field. Nolan Reimold is in left field and Nate McLouth is serving as the designated hitter. Manny Machado isn't in the lineup after making yesterday's trip to Fort Myers. For the Orioles: Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Chris Davis 1B J.J. Hardy SS Nate McLouth DH Nolan Reimold LF Wilson...

Starting off spring training games this week, the Nats got their first taste of the National League East with games versus the Marlins, Mets and Braves that ended in a win, three losses and two ties. On Sunday, the Nats announced that Christian Garcia would miss the next 10-14 days with a wrist/forearm strain. While the decision to rest the righty is conservative, the Nats are looking to give him the time he needs. Also close to a return is catcher Wilson Ramos, who is rehabbing from last...

A week into spring training games, the Orioles have suffered just a single loss, which came to the Twins yesterday. Sitting on a 5-1 record, the Orioles are leading the Grapefruit League after beating the Twins, Red Sox and Blue Jays once and the Yankees twice. On Wednesday, Cuban defector Henry Urrutia arrived in Florida from Haiti after obtaining his work visa. He is set to report to camp by the weekend. Pitcher Tsuyoshi Wada is continuing his rehab, throwing 25 pitches off a regular mound...