SARASOTA, Fla. - Dylan Bundy gets mixed reviews for his 2013 Grapefruit League debut. Bundy, the fourth overall pick in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft, needed 27 pitches to make it through the fifth inning. Seventeen were strikes. The Twins loaded the bases on two singles and a walk before Chris Colabello struck out looking to end the rally. Now for the good parts: One of the hits off Bundy was a broken-bat single. He appeared to strike out Brian Dinkleman with the count full and two...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles observed a moment of silence for Hall of Fame manager Earl Weaver after a video tribute. Zach Britton threw 19 pitches, 13 for strikes, in a scoreless first inning. Eduardo Escobar reached on an infield hit with one out and Josh Willingham singled to left. Brian Roberts bobbled a potential double-play ball, settling for the force at second, and Chris Parmelee lined to short. Jake Arrieta threw seven of his 11 pitches for strikes in the second. He walked Drew...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Once Orioles left-hander Brian Matusz completes his start on Monday, he will be followed to the mound by Mark Hendrickson, Daniel McCutchen and Pedro Strop. Those are the only confirmed pitchers for the Orioles. Others will be used, of course. Starters are expected to work one inning in their first turns before logging two innings in their next outings. The Yankees are sending pitchers Vidal Nuno, Bryan Mitchell, Corey Black and Shane Greene to Sarasota on Monday. I've...

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - I told you the wind could be a factor today. Stephen Strasburg's first inning of spring saw him surrender a two-run homer to a guy - Ruben Tejada - who had just one home run in 114 games last season. Tejada took a 93 mph Strasburg fastball over the left-center field fence, giving the Mets a 2-0 lead over the Nationals just two batters into Strasburg's Grapefruit League debut. The ball was struck well, but it definitely was wind-aided. We might be in for a few more of...

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Asked today about

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Greetings from Tradition Field, where the sun is out and the breeze is, as well. A nice wind is blowing out to center this afternoon, and the Nationals were taking full advantage during batting practice. One BP group, made up of Bryce Harper, Tyler Moore, Chris Marrero and Micah Owings, sent dozens of souvenirs out to the fans beyond the fence, and Moore and Marrero even tattooed a couple balls off the scoreboard in left-center. We could have quite a show out here...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter said outfielder Nolan Reimold will make the trip to Dunedin and will be in the starting lineup for Sunday's exhibition game against the Toronto Blue Jays. Reimold will face Blue Jays left-hander Mark Buehrle. Jair Jurrjens will start for the Orioles. First baseman Conor Jackson is taking batting practice today. Assuming that his lower back doesn't flare up, he also will make the trip to Dunedin and play against the Blue Jays. Danny Valencia,...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Brian Roberts is starting at second base and leading off today in the Orioles' exhibition opener against the Minnesota Twins. Nate McLouth is batting second, and J.J Hardy has dropped to seventh. Also, Nick Markakis is serving as the designated hitter - no health issues, just his choice - and Chris Dickerson is playing right field. For the Orioles: Brian Roberts 2B Nate McLouth LF Nick Markakis DH Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Chris Davis 1B J.J. Hardy SS Manny Machado...

VIERA, Fla. - The last couple weeks have been fun and all, with players reporting to camp, discussing their goals for the 2013 season and kicking off the start of spring training. But you can bet the guys in the Nationals clubhouse are glad the start of the Grapefruit League season is finally here, and frankly, so are the beat writers. There are only so many blog entries one can get out of watching players take part in baserunning drills or field comebackers. There are only so many times you...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter will post his lineup for today's exhibition opener against the Minnesota Twins after the media arrives at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. It's safe to assume that Nate McLouth will start in left field, since Showalter indicated that most of his "regulars" will play the first few innings, the Twins are starting right-hander Kevin Correia and Nolan Reimold is being eased into competition. The left-handed-hitting McLouth seems like a...