Even though the Orioles' 2011 season begins tonight, the club has still not finalized its minor league rosters. The full season affiliates don't begin their seasons until next Thursday, April 7 (or Friday, April 8 in the case of Single-A Frederick). What I wrote about Feb. 12 has pretty much come to pass. It certainly appears that the Triple-A Norfolk roster will be one with more veterans than in previous seasons and not many up-and-coming prospects. One reason for that is Orioles manager...

Adam Jones has a lot on his mind today down in St. Petersburg, Fla., where the Orioles are getting ready to open their 2011 season against the Tampa Bay Rays. But the Orioles center fielder has enough of a sense of Baltimore baseball history to have tweeted get well wishes to hospitalized Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson, who is recovering from a high fever and infection at Greater Baltimore Medical Center. "Stay strong my man. ... the O's family is with you and your family," Jones wrote on...

Because April Fools' Day is all about jokes and pranks, here's an opportunity for a Nats-related chuckle. The Nationals had two references last night in Jimmy Kimmel's monologue last night on "Jimmy Kimmel Live." The ABC late-night host and comedian joked about the opening day ceremonial first pitch by members of the military at Nationals Park and about Larry King's upcoming first pitch at Saturday afternoon's game. Tune in 4:50 into the monologue to catch Kimmel's jokes related to...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - All the talk, all the debating, all the words plastered on this blog. We tracked every rumor at the winter meetings - didn't Nolan Reimold almost get traded? - and waiting for the Orioles to find a first baseman and veteran starting pitcher. We wondered if they would finally hire enough coaches to start the season. We argued the merits of signing Vladimir Guerrero and whether it would actually happen. It seems so long ago. Now here we are, ready to kick off the 2011...

The long offseason is over and the Orioles begin the 2011 season tonight against the Tampa Bay Rays. The Birds went 7-11 against Tampa last year and have not won the season series against the Rays since 2007. A lot of people expect a major falloff from Tampa this year with all the free agents the Rays lost. I don't see it. I still see a formidable pitching staff and a possible playoff contender. After years of watching top prospects join the Rays, it will be strange to see them rely on...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson was hospitalized earlier today, which always brings a wave of concern - and maybe panic - over all of us, but he released a statement saying he's doing fine and it's not related to his cancer surgery. Here's the statement: "Thank you for your outpouring of concern. I was originally scheduled for a routine outpatient procedure at Greater Baltimore Medical Center on Thursday, March 31, 2011. The evening before surgery, I developed a fever...

The Nationals dropped a hard-fought 2-0 late-March lid-lifter to the Atlanta Braves at Nationals Park, unable to generate offense against a solid pitching performance from veteran Derek Lowe. In his ninth career opening day start, Nationals starter Livan Hernandez was equal to the task, allowing just two runs, and the Washington bullpen surrendered just two hits in the final 2 2/3 innings. After two early tallies, Hernandez retired 15 consecutive Braves hitters. His efficiency was particularly...

The Double-A Harrisburg Senators today announced their 2011 roster, which includes Carolina Player of the Year Tyler Moore, Derek Norris, Jimmy Barthmaier, Pat McCoy, Hassan Pena, Tim Pahuta, Bill Rhinehart, Steve Lombardozzi and Jesus Valdez. The roster also includes recently acquired pitcher Erik Davis, obtained from San Diego in the Alberto Gonzalez deal. Tony Beasley is in his first season as the Senators' manager. Here's the full roster breakdown: Pitchers: RHP Erik Arnesen RHP...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles' lineup for tomorrow night's regular-season opener against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field should look pretty familiar to you, with one exception. Adam Jones moves up ahead of Luke Scott against left-hander David Price. Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Derrek Lee 1B Vladimir Guerrero DH Adam Jones CF Luke Scott LF Mark Reynolds 3B Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Jeremy Guthrie RHP NOTE: Forgot to mention it earlier. Manager Buck Showalter says former...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - We can still hear thunder rumbling outside the dome. I'm just relieved the roof hasn't collapsed. Speaking of thunderous echos, the Orioles are taking batting practice while I file this blog entry. Nick Markakis is knocking the paint off a few of the seats in right field. Luke Scott just bounced a ball off the back of the restaurant roof directly below the scoreboard in center field. Manager Buck Showalter said he won't rest any of his regulars during this...