DUNEDIN, Fla. - Conor Jackson and Steve Pearce basically are competing for the same job this spring, along with a handful of other players who fit a similar profile - right-handed bat off the bench who can play first base, left field and serve as the designated hitter. Jackson reached on an infield hit in the top of the second inning today and scored on Pearce's two-run homer to give the Orioles a 2-1 lead over the Toronto Blue Jays. Neither player is backing down. Jackson is 6-for-17 with...

VIERA, Fla. - Bo Porter spent much of the late morning walking around the field inside Space Coast Stadium, giving friendly handshakes and dishing out big hugs. The Astros' new manager, who spent the last two years with the Nationals as the team's third base coach, is back in Viera today to play his former team. As the Nats took batting practice, Porter weaved his way behind the batting cage, having lengthy chats with Nationals owner Mark Lerner, manager Davey Johnson and many of his former...

VIERA, Fla. - Nationals manager Davey Johnson used yesterday's off-day the same way many of use spend our days away from the job: He got stuff done around the house. Johnson went back to his home in the Orlando area and took care of a couple "dangerous jobs," including replacing a handful of light bulbs that were 24 feet off the ground. He got through the tasks just fine, then took a playful jab at Yankees general manager Brian Cashman, who broke his leg while skydiving yesterday. "I...

DUNEDIN, Fla. - The Orioles announced this morning that they will host a public celebration of life for Hall of Fame manager Earl Weaver on Saturday, April 20 at 2 p.m. at Camden Yards. The program, "A Celebration of Earl," will include a video tribute and a collection of notable guest speakers, including manager Buck Showalter, Brooks Robinson, Frank Robinson, Rick Dempsey, Hall of Fame President Jeff Idelson and Earl's son, Mike Weaver. Gates A and H will open at 1 p.m. Complimentary...

The Orioles will host a public celebration of life for legendary manager Earl Weaver at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Saturday, April 20 at 2:00 p.m. The program, "A Celebration of Earl," will include a video tribute and a collection of notable guest speakers to honor the memory of the greatest manager in Orioles history. Guest speakers include Brooks Robinson, Frank Robinson, Rick Dempsey, Buck Showalter, National Baseball Hall of Fame President Jeff Idelson and Earl's son, Mike Weaver....

VIERA, Fla. - Roger Bernadina's World Baseball Classic journey will continue for at least another week, as the Nationals outfielder delivered an RBI single early this morning, helping the Netherlands defeat Australia to advance to the second round of the WBC. The Netherlands will now fly from Taiwan to Japan for second-round action, which will start later this week. Bernadina, who is racking up some impressive frequent flier miles on this trip, now has two hits and three RBIs in three WBC...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Nolan Reimold is back in the Orioles' lineup today, batting third and serving as the designated hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays in Dunedin. Reimold has been receiving treatment for a sore right shoulder. He homered in his last at-bat before being shut down. Conor Jackson, who homered twice Sunday against the Philadelphia Phillies, is batting fourth and playing first base. For the Orioles: Alexi Casilla SS Manny Machado 3B Nolan Reimold DH Conor Jackson 1B Steve Pearce...

SARASOTA, Fla. - On the road again. The Orioles are making their second trip to Dunedin to play the Toronto Blue Jays, who apparently can't find their way to Sarasota. Actually, they'll be here Thursday, but I'm on a roll, so don't stop me. Steve Johnson gets today's start, with manager Buck Showalter deciding to slot him ahead of Jair Jurrjens. Johnson originally was supposed to pitch in relief on Sunday before Showalter made the change. Jurrjens, Zach Clark, Mike Belfiore and Kevin...

The agent for Angels star Mike Trout was not happy over the weekend when the team renewed the contract for its star center fielder. Trout was given a salary of $510,000 - just $20,000 over the big league minimum - for the 2013 season. "During the process, on behalf of Mike, I asked only that the Angels compensate Mike fairly for his historic 2012 season, given his service time," agent Craig Landis said in a statement. "This contract falls well short of a 'fair' contract and I have voiced...

SARASOTA, Fla. - You may notice something different about Camden Yards when the Orioles play their home opener against the Minnesota Twins on April 5. Check out the warning track, which no longer will be made of a synthetic material. The track is being replaced with a natural surface made out of a crushed stone. The color has been designed to match the brick throughout the ballpark and the warehouse. Actual samples of the same brick have been ground up and are being used in the final...