BRADENTON, Fla. - Jake Fox is out of control. Fox homered for the second time today, and the seventh time this spring. It was another two-run shot that easily cleared the left field fence. Contact was so loud, he made heads turn all the way down in Fort Lauderdale. Matt Wieters has three hits, including two doubles. He reached second base in the top of the seventh and trotted home on Fox's blast. Update: Wieters just reached on an infield single, his fourth hit of the game. Fox leads all...

The Washington Nationals today optioned right-handed pitcher Cole Kimball, first baseman Chris Marrero and outfielder Corey Brown to Syracuse of the Triple-A International League and re-assigned catcher Derek Norris to Harrisburg of the Double-A Eastern League. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. The Nationals currently have 38 players in their big league camp.

BRADENTON, Fla. - With the time change last weekend, Josh Bell might want to set his clock back 24 hours. He's having a bad, bad day. I already wrote about Bell's error and his mental lapse on a rundown. He just got tagged out in the fourth inning as Felix Pie drew a walk. Bell was running on the pitch, slid into second and assumed that he was out. He didn't realize that Pie had taken ball four. Bell got up and started to jog toward the dugout, realized his mistake and got caught in a...

BRADENTON, Fla. - Jake Fox completed a six-run third inning with a mammoth two-run shot to left field off Pirates starter Ross Ohlendorf. That's six homers for Fox. If you connected them, they would reach my townhouse in Sykesville. This ball bounced off the roof of a building that sits beyond the fence. If I were Fox, I'd still be striking a pose at home plate. Fox followed Matt Wieters' two-run double to left, though that one was charitable. Jose Tabata should have made the catch, but...

BRADENTON, Fla. - I'm not sure how Chris Tillman got out of the first inning without allowing a run. Tillman walked the leadoff hitter, Jose Tabata, and another batter reached on an error. Another play wasn't made cleanly, and the Orioles almost botched a rundown. Still scoreless as we head to the bottom of the first. Neil Walker followed Tabata's walk with a grounder to shortstop J.J. Hardy, who bobbled the ball and settled for the force at second base. Andrew McCutchen reached on third...

BRADENTON, Fla. - Manager Buck Showalter met with reporters in his office before heading to McKechnie Field for today's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. I passed along the highlights, but here are some quotes to go with them. On Derrek Lee taking batting practice today: "He feels really good today. It's different from some things in the past. So far so good." On Lee's game schedule once he starts playing: "It's not going to be every day. Keep in mind, we can create as many at-bats...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Second baseman Brian Roberts is scheduled to hit soft toss and off a tee this morning, and also participate in defensive drills. Manager Buck Showalter said Roberts is "50-50" to return to the lineup this weekend. Roberts hasn't played since March 7 because of back spasms. First baseman Derrek Lee will take batting practice in the indoor cage today off former Orioles shortstop Mike Bordick. Lee could end up playing in Monday's minor league game that Showalter has...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Top of the morning to you. I'm leaving in an hour to make my third trip to Bradenton this spring. Don't be green with envy. For the Orioles: Felix Pie CF J.J. Hardy SS Nolan Reimold LF Matt Wieters DH Jake Fox C Randy Winn RF Brendan Harris 2B Josh Bell 3B Brandon Snyder 1B Chris Tillman RHP Josh Rupe and Jeremy Accardo also are scheduled to pitch. The Pirates are listing Ross Ohlendorf, Evan Meek (still trying to inherit the earth) and Joe Beimel. Left-hander Zach...

The Orioles were the featured team last night on MLB Network's 30 in 30 club previews. Analysts John Hart and Dan Plesac had several positive comments about the club and its outlook for 2011. "There should be a lot of excitement with the finish they had with Buck Showalter," Hart said. "There used to be a time when the Oriole Way really meant something. I see that coming back with Showalter - attention to detail, fundamentals. I think they are really going to make an improvement, even...

Nationals pitching prospect Brad Meyers, who was limited to just six starts last season due to a foot injury, continues to steadily work his way back each day of spring training in Viera, Fla. "He has responded very well to treatment," Nationals director of player development Doug Harris said. "He is taking regular repetitions. We are cautiously optimistic." Harris said the right-handed Meyers is recovering from a foot problem similar to what Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia went...