Although no one will say much about it, it appears the Orioles have asked Billy Rowell, their first-round draft pick in 2006, to consider converting from a position player to a pitcher. Rowell was drafted as an infielder and has played at first base, third base and right field in the minors. But after producing some solid offensive numbers very early in his career, he has struggled at bat since and has not lived up to the promise of a first-round pick. After spending three seasons in A-ball,...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are in the process of setting their minor league rosters. More tweaking is likely as players in major league camp are reassigned and others in the system are released. At this moment, the Orioles have assigned top position prospects Manny Machado and Jonathan Schoop to Double-A Bowie, and No. 1 overall prospect Dylan Bundy to low Single-A Delmarva. Bundy's current assignment isn't a surprise. It's been speculated for months that he'd debut with the Shorebirds....

VIERA, Fla. - Asked following his final spring training start whether he feels he's ready for opening day, Stephen Strasburg didn't hesitate. "Absolutely," he said. "I'm ready to get out of Florida, that's for sure." That makes two of us. Strasburg - who was eased back a bit today by manager Davey Johnson - didn't have his best stuff today in his last Grapefruit League appearance of 2012, throwing 67 pitches over four innings and giving up three runs (two earned) on five hits and a...

VIERA, Fla. - There's a chance two-thirds of the Nationals' projected starting outfield is on the disabled list come opening day. Manager Davey Johnson said following today's 6-2 loss to the Cardinals that center fielder Rick Ankiel might open the season on the disabled list because of a lingering quad injury which has kept him out of action for the bulk of spring. Ankiel, who has just 15 at-bats this spring, hasn't played since re-aggravating the quad on Tuesday, and if he's unable to...

BRADENTON, Fla. - Jim Johnson made back-to-back appearances for the first time this spring, and the results today were much better. Johnson struck out a batter for the second out of the eighth inning, issued a walk and induced his second ground ball of the day. He threw 19 pitches, 10 for strikes. Walks continue to be an issue for Johnson, though he might have gotten squeezed on a slider. He's walked six batters in eight innings. Johnson's fastball topped out at 95 mph. Update: The...

BRADENTON, Fla. - The downpour has ended, the sun is shining and the tarp is off the field. Yes, we're in Florida. This game will resume in the top of the seventh inning with the Pirates leading the Orioles, 6-5. Jake Arrieta said he felt good out of the stretch and in his windup today. It's the final line that looks pretty bad. Arrieta allowed six runs and eight hits in five innings. He threw 82 pitches, 55 for strikes. "Stuff was pretty good," he said. "Two real bad changeups were...

VIERA, Fla. - After a stellar outing last time out, Stephen Strasburg's final tune-up for the regular season didn't go quite as smoothly. Strasburg went four innings today against the Cardinals, allowing three runs on five hits and a walk. He struck out three and was pulled after throwing 67 pitches in his four frames of work. Manager Davey Johnson had said he wanted Strasburg to throw 60-70 pitches today, and the righty did just that. But he had to work through a lengthy second inning, in...

BRADENTON, Fla. - Jake Arrieta was pretty much cruising along until Alex Presley stepped to the plate with one out in the third inning. Presley homered to right-center field, giving the Pirates a 1-0 lead at McKechnie Field. Arrieta walked the next batter, Nate McLouth, before getting a force at second base and a fly ball to left. Arrieta has allowed one run and three hits, walked one and struck out three in three innings. He's thrown 43 pitches, 30 for strikes. He threw 12 of his 14...

A quick note I just received on some top prospects for the Nationals who will begin the season in extended spring training in Viera, Fla., as they worked to get healthy and/or build strength. Shortstop Rick Hague, who missed most of last season, continues rehabbing and gaining strength back in his shoulder while working in Florida. He is about a month away from playing time in the system. Pitchers Matt Purke and Robbie Ray will also begin the season in Florida at extended spring training....

Well, there certainly was a lot of discussion this week about Mike Mussina's election to the Orioles Hall of Fame. Mussina played 18 seasons, 10 with the Orioles and eight with the Yankees. So the question has come up: If he gets elected to the Hall of Fame, would Mussina go into Cooperstown as an Oriole or a Yankee? First of all, he has to make it and I think he has a very good chance. Mussina's last season was 2008 and a player must be out of the game for five years before his name is...