SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles played their first game on the Ed Smith Stadium field, and they decided to have a little fun with it, sending out J.J. Hardy to throw out the ceremonial first pitch to Chris Davis. The rules were relaxed again for the last intrasquad game before Saturday's exhibition opener, starting with left-hander Mark Hendrickson staying on the mound in the bottom of the first inning until he recorded five outs. Five up, five down for Hendrickson and his new sidearm...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Michael Phelps, winner of 22 Olympic medals and an avid fan of Baltimore sports, took five rounds of batting practice this morning on the main field at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. Phelps, wearing an orange jersey with No. 18 to match the number of gold medals he won, and a pair of green sneakers that clashed, received advice from a variety of players and coaches. First base coach Wayne Kirby, standing behind the cage, playfully barked, "This ain't no breast stroke. Come on...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter is using all left-handed pitchers for Team 2 in today's intrasquad game. That includes minor leaguer Eduardo Rodriguez, who will be called upon at some point behind starter Mark Hendrickson. And to think, Rodriguez might have been pitching for Team 1 if he hadn't fallen down as a kid. Rodriguez was 8 years old when he lost his footing while getting on a bus in Valencia, Venezuela. He landed on his right arm, the one he used to throw a...

VIERA, Fla. - Anthony Rendon knows that he's been labeled injury-prone by some around the league. He knows that scouts and fans have seen him suffer three ankle injuries in a four-year span, with a shoulder injury thrown in there, as well. The former first-round pick understands that some might doubt whether he can put together a full, healthy season and deliver on the promise that led many to label him the top prospect out of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft. All Rendon can do now is go...

VIERA, Fla. - Tyler Moore faced Stephen Strasburg, a 15-game winner last year, during live batting practice yesterday morning. Moore will square off against Dan Haren, a 10-year veteran and three-time All-Star during live BP today. "Bring 'em on," Moore said this morning with a chuckle. "Rack 'em up." It'll be Haren, Ross Ohlendorf, Jeremy Accardo, Ryan Perry and Brendan Mann throwing to hitters on Field 1 this morning. Moore, Roger Bernadina, Chad Tracy, Jayson Werth, Ryan...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter is putting names in alphabetical order again for today's intrasquad game, with the exception of Adam Jones in the leadoff spot. He wants Jones to receive additional at-bats before the World Baseball Classic. Team 1: Adam Jones CF Wilson Betemit DH Chris Davis 1B J.J. Hardy SS Manny Machado 3B Nate McLouth LF Steve Pearce RF Brian Roberts 2B Matt Wieters C Chris Tillman RHP Team 2: Xavier Avery CF Russ Canzler DH Alexi Casilla 2B Ryan Flaherty...

VIERA, Fla. - Dating back to the second half of last season, one of Davey Johnson's ongoing goals has been to convince Ross Detwiler to utilize more off-speed pitches while on the mound. Detwiler has success largely because of his sinker, a biting two-seam fastball that hitters can't lay off, but often can do little with. It's Detwiler's bread and butter, and when the 26-year-old left-hander mixes the two-seamer with his hard, straight four-seam fastball, hitters have a hard time...

The Nationals have put together their list of prospects for the accelerated development program as they prepare to go to work next month in Viera, Fla. The pitchers listed include recently reacquired A.J. Cole, plus Lucas Giolito, Sammy Solis and Blake Schwartz. Justin Miller is listed as a catcher and Kevin Keyes as a first baseman after working those new positions in instructional league in October. Jason Martinson and Rick Hague also listed among the infielders. Brian Goodwin, Michael...

SARASOTA, Fla. - No early departures from camp today. The Orioles don't have a charity golf outing scheduled and the intrasquad game won't start until 1 p.m. It's going to last six innings, which also will push us deep into the afternoon. Another reminder that left-handers Mark Hendrickson, Troy Patton, Daniel Schlereth and Eduardo Rodriguez will oppose Chris Tillman, Pedro Strop, Daniel McCutchen, Mike Belfiore and Kevin Gausman. Of course, we're curious about Gausman, the fourth-overall...

In talking about the Orioles' starting rotation for this year, manager Buck Showalter told ESPN's Jayson Stark this week that, "I can pencil in four. I can pen in two." It's pretty safe to assume he has Jason Hammel and Wei-Yin Chen written with the pen while using the pencil for Miguel Gonzalez and Chris Tillman. Four spots seem pretty set although Gonzalez and Tillman likely have a less firm grip on a spot than the the first two at this point. So that leaves as many as 10 others that...