SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts isn't able to take infield or batting practice today, and he could undergo more tests on his back. Roberts hit in the cage yesterday, but he's been shut down again today. He hasn't played since Monday night because of spasms. Manager Buck Showalter couldn't provide more information on the tests or whether they were necessarily, but the idea has been discussed. "He's not any better today," Showalter said. "I know they're talking...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Koji Uehara spoke this morning about the earthquake and tsunami in Japan and his attempts to reach his parents and extended family. Speaking through interpreter Jiwon Bang, Uehara said the earthquake hit "in a different place, but there has been some damage where I live." "At this moment, I don't really know all the details yet, but I am guessing that the damage will be huge, so I am worried," he said. Uehara has lived through major earthquakes in the past. "All I can...

When it comes to the June draft, do the Orioles have a preference when it comes to drafting a high school or a college player? Some teams have been said to have preferences, but O's scouting director Joe Jordan said the Orioles do not. "For me, I don't care. It's the best player, what fits the best for that round. That's really how we look at it. If there's a 21-year-old player that we have a lot of looks at and they're available and that's a good solid pick, that's a good decision...

SARASOTA, Fla. - We got a late start this morning, but it's been a busy one. The Orioles made their first round of cuts, which included catcher Caleb Joseph, infielder Pedro Florimon and outfielder Tyler Henson. Catcher Adam Donachie sat at his locker in shorts and a t-shirt, so we're assuming that he's also heading to the minor league side. The official list will be released later today. Randy Winn and J.J. Hardy are changing places in the lineup. Hardy will lead off. For the...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Players were given a later report time this morning following last night's 11-8 win over the Pirates in Bradenton. The clubhouse opens to the media at 9:30 a.m. Brian Roberts isn't in today's lineup vs. Phillies left-hander Cliff Lee, though he took batting practice yesterday in Sarasota, and he's not supposed to travel to Kissimmee tomorrow. Guess the earliest we'll see him is Sunday. Cesar Izturis is back after turning his ankle during Monday's game against the Red...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The fine folks at McKechnie Field set off fireworks after tonight's game, which seemed a bit redundant. The two teams supplied plenty of them - and a lot of errors. The Orioles outlasted the Pirates, 11-8, with left-hander Troy Patton leaving the Witness Protection Program to strike out two in the ninth and record the save. I packed up my laptop and drove back to Sarasota - note the dateline of this entry - before passing along manager Buck Showalter's comments. "Bergy...

BRADENTON, Fla. - Ryan Adams hit his second spring training home run, and it went a mile. He cleared the palm trees in right field - yes, the opposite field - against Pirates reliever Joel Hanrahan in the fifth inning to give the Orioles a 5-4 lead. Adams' two-run shot followed a walk to Nolan Reimold, Brandon Snyder's RBI double and Craig Tatum's RBI single. Snyder is 2-for-2 with a walk. Tatum is 2-for-2. Adam Jones doubled later in the inning, making him 2-for-3. Nolan Reimold has...

BRADENTON, Fla. - Manager Buck Showalter wanted to get four innings out of starter Brad Bergesen, but the right-hander's pitch count stands at 48 after the second. Even worse, the Orioles trail the Pirates, 4-1. The run in the first inning was unearned after Craig Tatum's error, but Bergesen surrendered four hits and walked a batter in the second. The defense let him down again, with right fielder Nolan Reimold sailing a throw over his cutoff man and allowing Gorkys Hernandez to take second...

BRADENTON, Fla. - Jake Fox is starting in left field tonight, but he's primarily competing for the backup catching job. Though Fox could make the club in a utility role, it seems apparent that he's mostly going head-to-head with Craig Tatum, who's starting behind the plate against the Pirates. Asked what he's looking for in a backup catcher and whether versatility is a factor, manager Buck Showalter replied, "It's a moving target. It depends on what we go with in that other spot in the...

BRADENTON, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter arrived during batting practice because he stayed back in Sarasota to watch Brian Roberts hit on the field. Roberts could return to the lineup tomorrow after being sidelined with back spasms. He won't make the trip to Kissimmee on Saturday. Pitching coach Mark Connor also stayed back to watch Koji Uehara throw on flat ground. How flat? We're talking the outfield. Uehara's arm seems fine, but he'll be re-evaluated tomorrow. Derrek Lee...