The Orioles today announced that Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. will visit Ed Smith Stadium on March 7 for the Orioles game against the Toronto Blue Jays, where he will throw out the ceremonial first pitch and sign copies of his new children's book, Wild Pitch, on the lower concourse from 2-4 p.m. The visit is part of a national book tour for Wild Pitch, the third installment in the New York Times best-selling "Cal Ripken Jr.'s All-Stars" series. Tickets for the Orioles-Blue Jays game are...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Nolan Reimold is batting first again tonight, as the Orioles host the Boston Red Sox in a split-squad game. Brian Roberts is batting second, and Nick Markakis is starting in right field after serving as the designated hitter in two games. Nate McLouth drops to eighth against Red Sox left-hander Franklin Morales. For the Orioles: Nolan Reimold DH Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Chris Davis 1B J.J. Hardy SS Nate McLouth LF Wilson Betemit...

VIERA, Fla. - Even though Dan Haren has pitched in 10 big league seasons, it's entirely possible he was a little nervous in his first inning of spring. Today was Haren's first time pitching in a Nationals uniform, and his first time on a mound in a game situation in about five months. I wouldn't blame the guy if he had some nerves early on. Haren was shaky in his first inning of work this afternoon, giving up a triple off the center field wall to Christian Yelich on his second pitch of the...

SARASOTA, Fla. - While still recovering from the news that Stone Temple Pilots has fired Scott Weiland. Again... Danny Valencia is making another start at first base today in Tampa, his second one in four spring training games. He was supposed to play third base yesterday in Bradenton before the cancellation due to rain. As I wrote a few days ago, Valencia has never played first base in the majors. He appeared in 18 games with rookie-league Elizabethton in 2006, two with Single-A Beloit in...

The Orioles today announced the addition of David Rovine as Vice President of Orioles-Sarasota to oversee the club's Sarasota business affairs and community development. In his new role, Rovine will represent the Orioles in the Sarasota County community, furthering the club's presence through OriolesREACH and its many community programs and establishing and cultivating club partnerships with business, civic, charitable and non-profit organizations throughout the Greater Sarasota County and...

VIERA, Fla. - Javier Vasquez has pulled out of the World Baseball Classic and decided not to pitch in the major leagues this season, according to El Nuevo Día, a Puerto Rican newspaper. The Nationals had scouted Vasquez in Puerto Rico this offseason prior to the veteran right-hander suffering a meniscus injury. General manager Mike Rizzo went down to watch Vasquez in person, and had been considering Vasquez as an option to give the Nationals increased starting pitching depth within the...

VIERA, Fla. - The Marlins have arrived at Space Coast Stadium, and after all the roster turnover that team underwent this offseason, Davey Johnson doesn't really know exactly what he's looking at. "I'm still trying to learn their names," Johnson said. "And I'm not even sure what position the names are going in." The Marlins will have Donovan Solano starting at second base today -he's the brother of Jhonatan Solano, a catcher in the Nationals' system. Other than that, there are very...

When it comes to baseball's best rotations, the Nationals, Phillies, Giants and Braves are usually the four teams mentioned first. But the team with the deepest rotation is usually overlooked. We're talking about the Reds. With Aroldis Chapman, a lefty reliever who can throw 100 mph, moving from closer to the rotation, the Reds have six quality starters. Like the Nationals' John Lannan a year ago, one talented Reds pitcher with nothing to prove will start the season at Triple-A. The Reds...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Jake Arrieta makes his second Grapefruit League start of 2013 today when the Orioles travel to Tampa for a split-squad game against the New York Yankees. In his debut, Arrieta walked one batter in a scoreless inning Saturday against the Minnesota Twins. Most of the regulars are staying back for the 7:05 p.m. game against the Boston Red Sox. Danny Valencia is making his second start at first base after being scheduled to play third base yesterday before rain washed away the...

VIERA, Fla. - After having a rain delay of at least an hour disrupt two of the Nationals' last three games, it looks like we're in the clear for today's 1 p.m. game against the Marlins at Space Coast Stadium. That is, unless I've jinxed us. If it starts pouring this afternoon, I'll have no one to blame but myself. Dan Haren will get the ball today for his first spring start in a Nationals uniform. After a recent live batting practice session in which Haren was admittedly a bit too amped...