SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles' batting practice session is closed to the media this morning. They're hitting on the back fields and reviewing their signs. Maybe they're implementing a secret play. Tommy Hunter, Chris Tillman and Alfredo Simon also are pitching in minor league games today at Twin Lakes Park, for those of you scoring at home. Hunter is throwing six innings, Tillman five and Simon three. Simon is still in camp despite being placed on waivers. Infielder Zelous Wheeler, signed...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Wei-Yin Chen makes his final exhibition start today. He hasn't appeared in a Grapefruit League game since holding the Twins to one run over five innings March 22. Most recently, he allowed four runs (three earned) and six hits while facing 26 batters in a minor league game at Twin Lakes Park. James Shields is scheduled to start for the Rays. For the Orioles: Endy Chavez LF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Nick Johnson DH Mark Reynolds 3B Chris...

VIERA, Fla. - Gio Gonzalez will make his final spring training start this afternoon against the Cardinals, a team that he's beginning to get pretty familiar with. And not in a good way. This will be the lefty's third start against St. Louis in a five-game span, with all three of those games coming in Jupiter at Roger Dean Stadium. Gonzalez isn't thrilled with the way the spring schedule has aligned, as the Cardinals will have gotten a fairly good look at his repertoire over the last...

Although no one will say much about it, it appears the Orioles have asked Billy Rowell, their first-round draft pick in 2006, to consider converting from a position player to a pitcher. Rowell was drafted as an infielder and has played at first base, third base and right field in the minors. But after producing some solid offensive numbers very early in his career, he has struggled at bat since and has not lived up to the promise of a first-round pick. After spending three seasons in A-ball,...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are in the process of setting their minor league rosters. More tweaking is likely as players in major league camp are reassigned and others in the system are released. At this moment, the Orioles have assigned top position prospects Manny Machado and Jonathan Schoop to Double-A Bowie, and No. 1 overall prospect Dylan Bundy to low Single-A Delmarva. Bundy's current assignment isn't a surprise. It's been speculated for months that he'd debut with the Shorebirds....

VIERA, Fla. - Asked following his final spring training start whether he feels he's ready for opening day, Stephen Strasburg didn't hesitate. "Absolutely," he said. "I'm ready to get out of Florida, that's for sure." That makes two of us. Strasburg - who was eased back a bit today by manager Davey Johnson - didn't have his best stuff today in his last Grapefruit League appearance of 2012, throwing 67 pitches over four innings and giving up three runs (two earned) on five hits and a...

VIERA, Fla. - There's a chance two-thirds of the Nationals' projected starting outfield is on the disabled list come opening day. Manager Davey Johnson said following today's 6-2 loss to the Cardinals that center fielder Rick Ankiel might open the season on the disabled list because of a lingering quad injury which has kept him out of action for the bulk of spring. Ankiel, who has just 15 at-bats this spring, hasn't played since re-aggravating the quad on Tuesday, and if he's unable to...

BRADENTON, Fla. - Jim Johnson made back-to-back appearances for the first time this spring, and the results today were much better. Johnson struck out a batter for the second out of the eighth inning, issued a walk and induced his second ground ball of the day. He threw 19 pitches, 10 for strikes. Walks continue to be an issue for Johnson, though he might have gotten squeezed on a slider. He's walked six batters in eight innings. Johnson's fastball topped out at 95 mph. Update: The...

BRADENTON, Fla. - The downpour has ended, the sun is shining and the tarp is off the field. Yes, we're in Florida. This game will resume in the top of the seventh inning with the Pirates leading the Orioles, 6-5. Jake Arrieta said he felt good out of the stretch and in his windup today. It's the final line that looks pretty bad. Arrieta allowed six runs and eight hits in five innings. He threw 82 pitches, 55 for strikes. "Stuff was pretty good," he said. "Two real bad changeups were...

VIERA, Fla. - After a stellar outing last time out, Stephen Strasburg's final tune-up for the regular season didn't go quite as smoothly. Strasburg went four innings today against the Cardinals, allowing three runs on five hits and a walk. He struck out three and was pulled after throwing 67 pitches in his four frames of work. Manager Davey Johnson had said he wanted Strasburg to throw 60-70 pitches today, and the righty did just that. But he had to work through a lengthy second inning, in...