SARASOTA, Fla. - Zach Britton said he wasn't surprised when he was called into manager Buck Showalter's office and told that he had been optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. "Right when they called me in, I figured, 'Hey you were either making the team or not making the team.' I was leaning toward not making the team, so I expected it," he said. What will he take away from camp? "Just the experience and getting to know the guys," Britton said. "Whenever I get up there, it will be nice to...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Josh Rupe gave up his first two earned runs of the spring in the seventh inning, and the Blue Jays took a 5-4 lead. Former Orioles farmhand Mike McCoy drove in the go-ahead run. Robert Andino made a dazzling play at second base, backhanding a ball in front of the bag and making an off-balance throw as his momentum carried him toward shortstop. First baseman Tyler Townsend dug the ball out of the dirt for the out. Former Oriole Adam Loewen pinch-ran in the eighth and scored...

The Washington Nationals today announced the launch of the revamped Red Carpet Rewards Program, a brand new online platform that gives season ticket holders the ability to access, track, share and redeem loyalty points for additional Nationals tickets and parking throughout the season. The Nationals will be the first team in Major League Baseball to host an online points-based loyalty program for fans. "The Nationals are proud to be the first Major League team to offer our fans this unique...

The Orioles today concluded their 2011 spring training schedule against the Toronto Blue Jays and have announced that 115,506 fans attended a game at the newly renovated Ed Smith Stadium this spring, setting a franchise record for spring training attendance for the second consecutive year. This year's attendance is also a new Ed Smith Stadium record, surpassing the 115,382 fans who attended games in 1994 when Sarasota was the spring training home of the Chicago White Sox and Michael Jordan was...

After an absence of more than 15 years, National Bohemian beer will return to Camden Yards for 2011, the Orioles and Pabst Brewing Company announced today. The partnership includes a branded Natty Boh Bar on the first base side of the lower concourse and a new Natty Boh Brat, a bratwurst sandwich featuring Baltimore's own Roma Sausage infused with the taste of National Bohemian beer, sold during home games. Natty Boh will be served on draft at several locations throughout the stadium and will...

SARASOTA, Fla. - My eyes weren't deceiving me. Blue Jays manager John Farrell ordered an intentional walk to Vladimir Guerrero in the fourth inning with runners on second and third and two outs. In a spring training game. Luke Scott was robbed of a hit on a diving stop by second baseman Aaron Hill. Michael Gonzalez struck out two in a scoreless fourth inning, throwing six of 11 pitches for strikes. Kevin Gregg walked a batter and struck out one in the fifth, throwing seven of 15 for...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Derrek Lee picked up his first RBI of the spring, in the final exhibition game. He lined a single into center field off Blue Jays left-hander Brett Cecil (Maryland) with two outs in the second inning to score Brian Roberts and give the Orioles a 4-3 lead. Matt Wieters doubled to score Adam Jones, who reached on a bunt single, and he came home on Brian Roberts' double. Nick Markakis walked before Lee stepped to the plate. Koji Uehara struck out two batters in a perfect...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Another domino fell in Orioles camp today when they placed pitcher Justin Duchscherer on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hip. We knew it was coming. Now it's official. Duchscherer threw two innings in yesterday's simulated game against six minor league hitters. The Orioles are hoping that he'll be ready to pitch on April 21 against the Twins at Camden Yards. Here's how the 25-man roster breaks down: Rotation: Jeremy Guthrie Brian Matusz Brad...

The Orioles today announced four roster moves, bringing their spring roster to 26 players. The Orioles optioned left-hander Zach Britton and catcher Craig Tatum to Triple-A Norfolk and assigned infielder Brendan Harris to minor league camp. Right-hander Justin Duchscherer was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hip. With the moves, the Orioles have 26 players in camp including 13 pitchers (one non-roster invitee), five outfielders, six infielders and two catchers. The...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles will make three more cuts after batting practice, though they could adjust the roster if Brad Bergesen experiences a setback tomorrow. Bergesen and Jake Arrieta will face minor league hitters tomorrow at Ed Smith Stadium. Bergesen could get Sunday's start against the Rays at Tropicana Field if he makes it through the game without a hitch. Backup catcher Craig Tatum will leave the team tomorrow to be with his wife for the birth of their child on Thursday. Tatum is...