SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles haven't posted their lineup for today's game against the State College of Florida. I guess there's no rush on the final day of spring training. They didn't take the field for the pregame stretch until 10:30 a.m. and the clubhouse closed to the media more than an hour ago, which meant one more breakfast at the 12th St. Cafe. It's my second one of the day, but who's counting? Jason Hammel will oppose Tsuyoshi Wada today, as the Orioles supply pitching for...

ORLANDO, Fla. - I'm finally leaving the state of Florida, a bit more tired and with a much heavier farmer's tan than when I arrived. While we still have one exhibition game remaining before opening day gets here, spring training is officially over. The Nationals have worked their way into playing shape, finalized all but one spot on their 25-man roster and welcomed one fantastic new beat writer who will be covering them this season. I'm completely unbiased on that last front. Before I...

Here is a press release from the Delmarva Shorebirds: Salisbury, Md. - In conjunction with the Baltimore Orioles, the Delmarva Shorebirds are excited to release the "Break Camp Roster" for the 2012 season. Headlining the roster is Dylan Bundy, the Orioles first round selection in 2011, and the top overall prospect in the farm system according to Baseball America. The Shorebirds roster features four of the top ten prospects in the system according to Baseball America; RHP Dylan Bundy (#1),...

It is time for your official predictions for the Orioles for the 2012 season. Post them here and we will revisit this many months from now in the winter. I said I would do that last winter, but this time I really mean it. I'm going with 75 wins. The offense was just about league average last year. If Nolan Reimold and Chris Davis produce some numbers, they could improve a tick or two on that. If he's healthy and stays that way, I see Jim Johnson having a very good year as closer. They...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Jim Johnson kept hearing all winter how he'd make a start in spring training. It just took until the next-to-last game in Florida for it to happen. Johnson pitched the first inning tonight and retired all three Florida Southern batters that he faced, striking out two of them. "Everything's fine," he said. "I had to stay on a schedule. I'm not going to be on a mound the next two days." That's because Johnson will be with his wife, Elizabeth, when doctors induce labor...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Ryan Flaherty doesn't show much emotion. He's about as low-key as they come in the Orioles' clubhouse. But he clearly was moved by today's news that he had made the team as a Rule 5 pick. Manager Buck Showalter informed Flaherty earlier today that the Maine native won the utility job. "They told me I was going to make the team, so it's pretty special to get told that," he said. "It was good. It was in front of the team. He said, 'Obviously, you've got a few days...

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Roger Bernadina had to leave today's game against the Red Sox less than five minutes after it started. Bernadina was hit on the outside of his right knee by an Aaron Cook pickoff throw during the top of the first inning, and after getting some attention from the training staff, the Nationals outfielder limped off the field. Expected to be the Nats center fielder on opening day this Thursday, Bernadina said after the game that there's some minor swelling in the knee, but...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Manager Buck Showalter called Jake Arrieta into his office today with news that the right-hander would start the April 6 opener against the Minnesota Twins at Camden Yards. Arrieta had a pretty good idea that Showalter was informing the pitchers of their slots in the rotation. And now everyone knows. "Jake will pitch on that day and we will go from there," Showalter said. Arrieta, 26, went 10-8 with a 5.05 ERA in 22 starts last season before undergoing surgery to remove a...

FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Nationals closed out their Grapefruit League season this afternoon with a 4-2 loss to the Red Sox. But in my mind at least, the game takes the backseat today. The real story, the story worth telling, is of the four guys on the roster bubble who learned today that they'll be heading north with the Nationals as part of the team's 25-man opening day roster. Chad Tracy, a man who slugged 27 homers with the Diamondbacks in 2005, hit just .235 with one home run in Japan...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter will reveal his opening day starter before tonight's game against Florida Southern. Initially, Showalter told reporters that he'd wait until after the game, but he relented and promised to tell us sooner so we can interview the pitcher. Jason Hammel apparently will pitch the third game on Sunday, but that's not official. The rotation could be adjusted. Don't write down anything in permanent marker. Reliever Matt Lindstrom's right hamstring...