SARASOTA, Fla. - Manager Buck Showalter knew it was a slow news day for the reporters in camp, but he wouldn't throw us a bone and confirm his opening day starter. Is it still being decided? "In my mind, no, but there are some variables that may play into it and are still developing," he replied. "There are some things that Dan (Duquette) and I talk about every day that could change the way we look at it." Could one variable be a starter acquired from outside the...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Taylor Teagarden's epidural on his lower back has been moved up from Wednesday to Monday. It's not open to the public, in case anyone wanted to attend. Tsuyoshi Wada's next start has been moved to Tuesday against the State College of Florida. Also, reliever Matt Lindstrom will pitch in a minor league game in his next outing. He recently tweaked his hamstring. J.J. Hardy is starting at shortstop today. For the Orioles: Nolan Reimold DH J.J. Hardy SS Adam Jones CF Matt...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Catcher Taylor Teagarden will be eligible to come off the disabled list on April 10, but he conceded today that it's a "best-case scenario" and he might need an extra week. Teagarden said he no longer is experiencing the same level of discomfort in his lower back, but there's a lingering sensation that a second epidural on Wednesday should alleviate. "I want to come back feeling good," he said. "I'm planning on my back feeling well in the next couple of weeks and the...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles will place catcher Taylor Teagarden on the disabled list before breaking camp, giving the backup job to Ronny Paulino. The move will be backdated so he can be eligible to return on April 10, and manager Buck Showalter said it's possible that Teagarden will be ready. Teagarden will receive a second epidural on his lower back at 8 a.m. Wednesday. Showalter still won't confirm that Jake Arrieta is the opening day starter. It's just a matter of time. Showalter...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Manager Buck Showalter finally revealed the identity of his opening day starter this afternoon. Yes, it's Jake Arrieta who will take the mound for the April 6 opener against the Minnesota Twins at Camden Yards. That's been the assumption all along, but Showalter planted some doubt by withholding the announcement. Arrieta made his final spring start on Saturday against the Pittsburgh Pirates and allowed six runs and eight hits in five innings. OK, so he's not exactly...

VIERA, Fla. - After a stretch where they went winless in a span of 11 Grapefruit League games, the Nationals have now won five of their last six following yesterday's split-squad sweep. It's too bad the results mean just as little now as they did during the losing streak. The Nats will host the Marlins at 6:05 p.m. tonight, and you can catch the battle of division rivals on MASN. Bob Carpenter and F.P. Santangelo will have the call for you. We know that Ross Detwiler will be on the mound...

TAMPA, Fla. - Pat Neshek retired the side in order in the bottom of the ninth, striking out two batters in the Orioles' 4-3 victory over the New York Yankees. Neshek hasn't allowed a run in nine spring outings. He's allowed three hits, walked none and struck out eight in 8 1/3 innings. "He's getting his confidence in his arm back," manager Buck Showalter said of Neshek, who missed the 2009 season after undergoing ligament-reconstructive surgery in his right elbow. "I know how excited...

If you think there has been spring training competition for starting rotation spots for the Orioles, well, that is not the only pitching competition that has been taking place in ballparks throughout Florida the last few weeks. The Orioles likely have seven spots for their bullpen and probably, right now, 10 to 11 solid candidates for those spots. Barring a trade, which quite possibly could be coming, here is my plan to keep all 11 players in the organization with opening day...

TAMPA, Fla. - If Jason Hammel's goal was to build his pitch count, he did it tonight. Hammel threw 89 pitches, 59 for strikes, in 5 1/3 innings and left with the Orioles leading, 3-1. He was charged with a second run after Troy Patton entered the game in relief. "I felt good. Real good," Hammel said. "Pretty much everything I was working on, I was pretty happy with, and the results were good." Hammel went to a full count against the first two batters in the sixth, striking out Alex...

VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals completed a split-squad sweep today by picking up a 5-3 win over the Tigers tonight. I wasn't in Lakeland for tonight's game - the timing just didn't work out with the afternoon schedule in Viera being what it was - but the Nats fans who were there were treated to a strong performance by the three position players who are still on the big league roster. Steve Lombardozzi went 3-for-4 with a walk and an RBI, and Jesus Flores and Chad Tracy each added two hits, as...