PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Reliever Matt Lindstrom was scratched from Saturday's game against the Phillies in Clearwater because of lower-back discomfort. Manager Buck Showalter said four or five players are dealing with the same health issue, including third baseman Mark Reynolds and catcher Taylor Teagarden. They've being pushed back a day. Teagarden was supposed to catch today, but John Hester gets the start. Showalter is hoping it's just the usual camp soreness. (Showalter was including...

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - I arrived at the Tampa Bay Rays' spring complex ahead of the Orioles' bus this morning. It's one of our shortest drives. I made it from Sarasota in under an hour. The Rays are on the field for batting practice. Though I'm sitting in the third-level press box, I'm pretty sure I spotted former Oriole Luke Scott playing catch in the outfield. The rifle and deer carcass gave him away. Seriously though ... Nick Johnson will make his first start at first base today...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Nick Johnson will play his first game at first base today, as the Orioles travel to Port Charlotte to face the Tampa Bay Rays for the second time this spring. We'll also see Jake Arrieta for the first time. For the Orioles: Endy Chavez RF Robert Andino 2B Nick Johnson 1B Chris Davis DH Nolan Reimold LF Ryan Flaherty SS Josh Bell 3B Xavier Avery CF John Hester C Jake Arrieta RHP

VIERA, Fla. - On practically any other team, Ross Detwiler would be spending his spring competing for a spot in the starting rotation. Unfortunately for the lefty, that's not the case here. When you're part of a pitching staff that features Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez, Jordan Zimmermann, Edwin Jackson, Chien-Ming Wang and John Lannan, you're likely to find yourself stuck in the bullpen, fighting for whatever innings are left over. That's the case with Detwiler, the No. 6 overall pick...

Trying to predict how many games the Orioles will win this year is a dicey proposition. If some of their young players take steps forward and the team has a healthy year, maybe they approach or even better a .500 mark. But if some of the opposite occurs and the team once again gets overwhelmed by its American League East rivals, the 2012 Orioles could approach or reach 100 losses. That seems to be a big swing from the most optimistic outlook to the most dire. By the way, just twice in club...

VIERA, Fla. - Davey Johnson has said it multiple times throughout the first few weeks of Nationals spring training, and he said it again after today's win over the Astros: He likes what Brett Carroll brings to the table. Carroll, a 29-year-old utilityman who has just a .203 career average in 175 major league games, continues to impress his manager this spring. He boosted his Grapefruit League average to .417 by going 1-for-2 with a double and two walks today. Carroll also scored a run and...

VIERA, Fla. - Edwin Jackson doesn't know what allowed him to get into such a groove today. He can't quite put his finger on it. But whatever was working this afternoon, the Nationals hope they see a lot more out of it from the 28-year-old starter. Jackson only faced one batter over the minimum in his four scoreless innings of work in this afternoon's 8-0 win over the Astros, striking out three and walking none. He popped the mitt with his fastball, worked in his slider, and found a good...

The Orioles and OriolesREACH, along with media partners SNN-6 and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, will host the second annual Food Drive at Ed Smith Stadium this Sunday, March 11. Fans attending the 1:05 p.m. game against the Boston Red Sox are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items with them for donation to the All Faiths Food Bank. In addition to food items, the Orioles will also collect monetary donations at ballpark entry gates. Proceeds from a silent auction of Orioles memorabilia and...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Left-hander Troy Patton was handed the ball in the ninth inning today, and he picked up the save by retiring the side in order and striking out one in the Orioles' 2-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves. Manager Buck Showalter touched on the following topics: On Jason Hammel: "He was good. He's facing a team that obviously knows him and has seen a lot of him. He's working on getting his times to the plate faster. We've challenged our pitchers with Matt (Wieters) and...

VIERA, Fla. - When he woke up this morning, Bryce Harper felt some tightness in his left calf. He tried to work it out on a stationary bike at the Nationals complex, but when the calf didn't respond, manager Davey Johnson decided to pull Harper from today's starting lineup against the Astros. Speaking in the Nationals' clubhouse moments ago, Harper said he doesn't think the injury is anything serious, and he expects to return in a matter of days. "It's just precautionary," Harper...