Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts revealed tonight that he underwent sports hernia surgery on Dec. 20 similar to the procedure that two of his teammates endured over the past year. He's resumed workouts in Sarasota and said he's feeling good, with no concerns about his availability for the start of spring training. Dr. William Meyers performed the surgery in Philadelphia, just as he did with Nick Markakis last January and Brian Matusz in October. Roberts consulted with both players, who...

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo, speaking during Rafael Soriano's introductory press conference, said he was excited to be able to get a talent like right-hander A.J. Cole back in the organization. Rizzo said the deal to get a prospect like Cole, and right-hander Blake Treinen, would not have been possible by just talking to the Seattle Mariners. In his discussions with Seattle, he was able to get the Oakland A's involved, and that is how Cole, Treinen and a player to be named were...

Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts said he shut down for a few weeks over the holidays because he had "some minor stuff going on" related to his surgically repaired hip, but he's resumed his daily workouts and isn't experiencing any health issues. Roberts appeared in 17 games last season before undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum in his hip. "I had been pushing pretty hard for a while after my surgery and had some minor stuff going on, so we shut down for a few weeks over the...

The Washington Nationals today agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Rafael Soriano on a two-year contract with an option for the 2015 season. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Soriano joins the Nationals after going 2-1 with 42 saves and a 2.29 ERA in 69 games for the Yankees last season. He spent the majority of '12 as the Yankees' closer after Mariano Soriano's season ended prematurely in early May (ACL...

The Orioles' kickoff to the 2013 season, FanFest will be held this Saturday, January 19, from 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. at the Baltimore Convention Center. 2013 FanFest, presented by Visit Sarasota County, will feature appearances by current and former Orioles players and coaches as part of a day-long celebration of baseball that will also include clinics, exhibits and interactive games. Like the rest of the region, the Orioles are supporting the Baltimore Ravens in their quest for the AFC...

The World Baseball Classic coming in March will pit some major league teammates against each other in the 16-nation tournament and that could happen for Orioles teammates Adam Jones and Pedro Strop. The 27-year-old right-hander will pitch for the Dominican Republic and he could wind up facing Jones at some point instead of watching him play center field behind him. "Something like that would be fun," Strop said today when asked about the possibility of facing Jones in the tournament. "You...

As manager Buck Showalter met with reporters following today's press conference, making the rounds from radio to television to print, he kept glancing out a window on the sixth floor of the B&O warehouse, where he spotted a few Orioles playing catch on the Camden Yards field as part of today's mini-camp. Though his five-year contract extension is proof that the organization has an eye pointed toward the future, Showalter remains focused on the present. "I'm hoping personally that this...

The Nationals are elated to get right-hander A.J. Cole back in a trade with the Oakland A's. After trading away the top prospect to the A's in the package for left-hander Gio Gonzalez, the Nats re-acquired Cole in a trade that sent Michael Morse to the Seattle Mariners. Cole struggled at high Single-A Stockton, going 0-7 with a 7.82 ERA in eight starts in the hitter-friendly California League. After going down to low Single-A Burlington, Cole rebounded to go 6-3 with a 2.07 ERA in 19 starts....

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette met with reporters following today's press conference, just in case we forgot to ask him something important or if we wanted to hear the same thing. That's what we do in this business. Here are a few highlights: On the extension: "I'm really grateful for the opportunity from the Angelos family and also the opportunity to serve the fans of Baltimore. I have been out of it for a while. I truly missed it and I appreciate being back. Every day, I...

Orioles manager Buck Showalter was asked today about Brian Roberts. He has been optimistic when talking about the veteran second baseman and his outlook for the 2013 season. He was asked after today's press conference if Roberts has had a winter free of any health concerns or issues. "That wouldn't be completely honest if I said that," Showalter said without elaborating on exactly what he meant. "He feels really good right now and he's working out. He'll be here in a day or two and you...