FORT MYERS, Fla. - Rule 5 pick Ryan Flaherty drove in two more runs today, increasing the Orioles' lead to 3-1 over the Twins in the second inning and increasing his chances of making the club. Flaherty tripled to center field, scoring Wilson Betemit and Chris Davis. The Orioles almost hit for the cycle that inning, with Betemit reaching on a single and Davis following with a double. Flaherty is 9-for-33 this spring with one double, two triples, one homer and seven RBIs. Only Adam Jones...

JUPITER, Fla. - About 90 percent of Davey Johnson's pregame session with reporters consisted of injury discussions. Hey, there's suddenly lots to talk about on that front. Johnson said closer Drew Storen is still feeling some discomfort in his bicep and triceps after playing catch yesterday. The team will take things very carefully with the 24-year-old over the next few days. "Storen is getting further tests on his condition on his arm and he's still had small discomfort when he threw on...

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Manager Buck Showalter got hung up in a huge traffic jam on I-75, so he wasn't available to the media before today's game against the Twins. He arrived about 15 minutes before the anthem. I had the same issue, but I left the complex earlier and made it with room to spare. A typical Florida accident, where the car looks like a crushed aluminum can. They're called "fender benders" down here. People barely notice, except when traffic is backed up for miles and everyone...

JUPITER, Fla. - Michael Morse's chances of being in the Nationals' lineup on opening day are apparently decreasing. Manager Davey Johnson said that a definite timetable has not yet been set for Morse to return to action, as he's still having problems with a strained lat muscle, but that it would probably be "a couple weeks" before Morse will begin baseball activities. Morse feels OK, but the Nationals are playing things safe with their projected starting left fielder and cleanup hitter,...

Since I was not invited to the meetings, I can't say for sure how involved Andy MacPhail was or was not when it came to decisions involving Orioles minor leaguers over his time with the club. But it sure does seem that first-year executive vice president Dan Duquette, who clearly takes a large and active interest in player development, will have a big say in which players end up with which minor league teams when the seasons begin in a few weeks. Duquette figures to be the final arbiter when...

VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals will travel nearly two hours south down Interstate 95 today to take on the Cardinals in Jupiter, Fla., their first of three straight road games. Some quality miles will be put on the team bus over this three-day stretch, as the Nats will be in Kissimmee to play the Astros tomorrow and then will head all the way across the state to face the Orioles in Sarasota on Saturday. Given that I need to fill up my rental car (a Jeep Patriot) about every 15 minutes, I should...

SARASOTA, Fla. - I'm making another trip to Fort Myers today because I can't get enough of the Twins. Unfortunately, I'm referring to the baseball team. Left-hander Wei-Yin Chen makes another start for the Orioles. He's allowed four runs and nine hits, with two walks and eight strikeouts, in 10 Grapefruit League innings. Robert Andino makes a start at shortstop. For the Orioles: Xavier Avery CF Robert Andino SS Nick Johnson DH Nolan Reimold LF Wilson Betemit 3B Chris Davis 1B Ronny...

SARASOTA, Fla. - When I heard that the Orioles signed pitcher Dontrelle Willis to a minor league contract, my first thought was "Florida Marlins." Actually, my first thought was, "Really?" But then I linked Willis to the Marlins, his first major league team. I joined the pack of reporters at Willis' locker this morning - and I'm proud to say that I was the first one to notice him, just as I was walking toward an Orioles' public relations official with a request to find Willis and...

I have written a lot during the offseason about the Nationals working with first baseman Tyler Moore at outfield positions to improve his versatility. That is still true. Just like Michael Morse, the Nationals would love to have Moore be able to play different spots all over the field so they can get his offensive output in the majors sooner rather than later. But roster needs change quickly, and with the injury to former Triple-A Syracuse first baseman Chris Marrero, the need for Moore to...

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette has been multi-tasking since that November day when he was hired by the club to replace Andy MacPhail. While trying to improve the 2012 Orioles he has also spent a lot of time working on improving the club's future outlook. That happens with some of the changes and hopefully, upgrades and improvement that Duquette wants to make in the O's minors and player development starting this year. "I think probably the most important thing is we are...