PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - This doesn't come as much surprise, given where Drew Storen is in his rehab from elbow inflammation, but manager Davey Johnson said in today's pregame session with reporters that Storen will begin the season on the disabled list. Johnson is hopeful that Storen will be able to return sometime in mid-April, but admitted that he's taking an optimistic view on how quickly the Nationals' closer will work through the elbow issues which have kept him out of action since...

DUNEDIN, Fla. - Shortstop J.J. Hardy continues to be bothered by soreness in his right shoulder, and he received a cortisone injection yesterday in an attempt to alleviate the discomfort and get back into the lineup. Manager Buck Showalter said Hardy could play Friday against the Tigers in Sarasota. "He's a little sore from (the injection) today, but he's getting there. I'm hoping he's a Friday player," Showalter said. Team orthopedist Dr. John Wilckens examined Hardy's shoulder...

DUNEDIN, Fla. - I'm back in Dunedin for the first time since Koji Uehara limped off the mound with a hamstring injury in his first spring training with the team. I can't say that I missed this place. The Orioles are so fortunate to reside at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. So very fortunate. Today's lineup has inspired a few quips from the Blue Jays' media and press box employees. Of the nine starters, six of them have uniform numbers in the 70s, 80s or 90s. That's fine in the NFL. In...

Upon announcement of his election to the Orioles Hall of Fame today, Mike Mussina said he could understand that the Baltimore fans were frustrated with his decision to sign with the Yankees as a free agent before the 2001 season. "Looking back, I can understand people being upset, frustrated and bitter. Especially when you leave Baltimore and go to a rival city in the same division. I can understand that. It was a decision that I made at the time and it probably worked out for me," Mussina...

VIERA, Fla. - Davey Johnson said yesterday that today's lineup against the Mets would contain a surprise. It sure does. Xavier Nady will start at first base for the Nationals today. General manager Mike Rizzo had said just days ago that Nady, who was signed to a minor league deal last Sunday, would not play in a major league game this spring. But there's the 33-year-old's name written into the seventh spot in today's order. Nady has been primarily a corner outfielder in his career, but...

Former Orioles pitcher Mike Mussina has been elected to the Orioles Hall of Fame, the team announced today. Former O's second baseman Rich Dauer will also be enshrined as a selection of the Veteran's Committee, and longtime Orioles scout Walter Youse will be inducted posthumously as this year's Herb Armstrong Award winner. Mussina spent the first 10 of his 18 major league seasons with the Orioles from 1991-2000, going 147-81 with a 3.53 ERA in 288 starts. He ranks among the club's all-time...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter wasn't kidding yesterday when he warned reporters that they'd be watching a "prospects game" today in Dunedin. The Blue Jays aren't getting the A team. Jai Miller has returned from a knee ailment and will serve as the designated hitter. Manny Machado and Jonathan Schoop will work as double play partners. Rule 5 pick Ryan Flaherty will start at first base. And by the way, it's a pretty big start for Dana Eveland as he tries to make the...

VIERA, Fla. - Stan Kasten was once an NBA general manager. Now the former president of the Nationals is back in baseball, only with an NBA Hall of Famer by his side. Kasten and Magic Johnson are part of a group which agreed to buy the Los Angeles Dodgers for $2 billion late last night. The purchase will get Kasten back into the major leagues, although in some ways, Kasten never left, even after resigning as Nationals president after the 2010 season. He was still seen around the Nats'...

The Los Angeles Dodgers announced late Tuesday that the team will be purchased for a record $2.15 billion by a group that includes former NBA and Los Angeles Lakers great Earvin "Magic" Johnson. Also a part of the group is former Nationals and Atlanta Braves team president Stan Kasten. Johnson's group won out the right to buy the Dodgers over groups led by multiple sports team owner Stan Kroenke and New York Mets limited partner Steven Cohen. Johnson said in a statement: "I am thrilled to...

The beginning of the 2012 baseball season in the minor leagues is fast approaching and an Orioles minor league camp packed with players at Twin Lakes Park got at least a little smaller yesterday with a few players getting released by the organization. Right-handed Japanese pitcher Ryohei Tanaka, signed by the Orioles in April of 2009, was among them. The 29-year-old Tanaka went 22-21 with an ERA of 4.13 in three seasons. He spent all of 2009 and 2010 with Double-A Bowie and was mostly with...