When Baseball America recently ranked its top prospects, the Orioles placed three players in the top 100, with Dylan Bundy at No. 10, Manny Machado at No. 11 and Jonathan Schoop at No. 82. No other Orioles minor league players came close to cracking that top 100 and most analysts consider the O's farm system somewhat top heavy with the elite top two prospects heading up the farm and no one after that - save for Schoop - rated very highly. It's a system lacking in high-end prospects. But the...

SARASOTA, Fla. - If you haven't seen Brad Bergesen pitch in a while, you're going to notice a change in his delivery. My older readers might be reminded of Luis Tiant. Bergesen is reminded of the way he used to throw. Bergesen has added a twist that momentarily leaves his back turned to the hitter. It's an element of deception that makes it a little harder for the batters to pick up the ball. In three appearances this spring, Bergesen has allowed two runs and five hits over seven innings....

VIERA, Fla. - I wouldn't want to have been in Roger Berndina's shoes lately. Within the last week, the Nationals outfielder has been drilled by a pitch directly on his elbow, had a tooth pulled and gotten hit by another pitch just above the same elbow. Can't the baseball gods pick on somebody else for a while? Bernadina was a late scratch from last night's game against the Braves because he was still feeling light-headed as a result of having the tooth pulled. He shook off any lingering...

VIERA, Fla. - Shortly after today's 8-5 loss to the Yankees, the Nationals made four roster moves, optioning right-handed pitcher Yunesky Maya to Triple-A Syracuse and outfielder Eury Perez to Double-A Harrisburg and reassigning right-handers Jeff Fulchino and Waldis Joaquin to minor league camp. The moves leave the Nats with 41 players in their big league camp. By the time the roster moves had been announced, Chien-Ming Wang was gone, the right-handed starter having been taken off-site for...

The Washington Nationals today optioned right-handed pitcher Yunesky Maya to Syracuse of the Triple-A International League and outfielder Eury Perez to Harrisburg of the Double-A Eastern League. Additionally, the Nationals reassigned right-handed pitchers Jeff Fulchino and Waldis Joaquin to minor-league camp. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements. The Nationals currently have 41 players in their big league camp.

LAKELAND, Fla. - Miguel Socolovich came out of today's game against the Tigers with the bases loaded and one out in the sixth inning because of tightness in his groin. Jon Link allowed all three inherited runners to score, and Socolovich was charged with the loss. "He wanted to continue, but we're not going to take the chance," manager Buck Showalter said after a 4-2 loss. "We had enough pitchers we brought with us." Socolovich joins the groin gang in camp. They'll eventually rumble...

LAKELAND, Fla. - The Tigers scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning after Brian Matusz left the game, and they tacked on another run in the seventh to increase their lead to 4-2 over the Orioles at Joker Marchant Stadium. Detroit loaded the bases with one out against Miguel Socolovich, and he was removed for Jon Link. Socolovich walked into the clubhouse with assistant athletic trainer Brian Ebel while reporters were interviewing Matusz. Chris Davis committed his second error...

VIERA, Fla. - As I check NCAA Tournament scores in between pitches ... We're tied 2-2 here in the sixth inning at Space Coast Stadium. And while the action on the field the rest of the way will be monitored, the main story that will come out of today will be the injury to Chien-Ming Wang, who left the game in the third inning because of a left hamstring strain. We'll have to see what reports manager Davey Johnson gets from the training staff about the righty's status and hope that it's...

LAKELAND, Fla. - Left-hander Brian Matusz tamed an impressive Tigers lineup this afternoon at Joker Marchant Stadium. Matusz blanked the Tigers on two hits, walked none, struck out six and hit a batter in four innings. He threw 60 pitches, 41 for strikes. Matusz's fastball was 92-93 mph on the stadium radar gun. He hit 93 mph four times in the third inning, when he retired the side in order and struck out Andy Dirks and Austin Jackson. He fanned Prince Fielder and Alex Avila in the...

The Orioles today announced that they will auction game-worn, autographed caps from their St. Patrick's Day game at Ed Smith Stadium on March 17 vs. Boston, with proceeds to benefit Keep Sarasota County Beautiful. The caps have a white front panel with green replacing orange on the bill, the button and in the cartoon bird logo. Ed Smith Stadium is one of the most environmentally-friendly baseball facilities in America, with its comprehensive recycling program and use of reclaimed water, solar...