SARASOTA, Fla. - Chris Tillman isn't making the boldest statement that he should be included in the opening night rotation. Tillman has allowed two runs, on J.D. Drew's wind-aided homer to left, and four hits. He's also walked three batters and struck out two. Tillman has thrown 51 pitches, 31 for strikes. It looks like his fastball is topping out at 90 mph. Matt Wieters threw out Marco Scutaro trying to steal in the first inning. Drew followed with a walk. David Ortiz singled to left...

The Washington Nationals this morning acquired infielder Cutter Dykstra and cash considerations from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for center fielder Nyjer Morgan. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Dykstra ranked fourth in the Single-A Midwest League with a .416 on-base percentage and .312 batting average last season while playing for Wisconsin. The 21-year-old scored 66 runs and posted 10 doubles, five triples,...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Brad Bergesen threw from 60 and 120 feet on flat ground today. He's scheduled to throw a bullpen session tomorrow if the discomfort doesn't return, and he could start Tuesday's exhibition finale against the Blue Jays in Sarasota. "Everything felt OK," he said. "A little tight, a little tender, but it's nothing I can't throw through. I think right now the plan is hopefully a bullpen tomorrow. That's just where we are right now." Bergesen could be instructed to throw...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Brad Bergesen isn't sure when he'll get back on a mound or pitch in a game. He's just taking it one day at a time, cliché and all. That's the only approach when dealing with a bruised forearm. "It's feeling better," he said this morning. "It's still obviously there. It's tender and sore, but it's getting better by the day. Today's plan is I'm going to go out and stretch, throw, and really go from there. That's all I know. There's no plan. I...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are playing split-squad games against the Red Sox at home and the Blue Jays in Dunedin. I'm staying here to watch Chris Tillman pitch. You can watch him on MASN. For the Orioles: Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Derrek Lee 1B Vladimir Guerrero DH Luke Scott LF Adam Jones CF Mark Reynolds 3B Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Chris Tillman RHP And for the Orioles (in Dunedin): Robert Andino LF Randy Winn DH Nolan Reimold RF Jake Fox 1B Brendan Harris 3B Felix Pie...

Vito Frabizio, who in 2009 appeared to be an up-and-coming young pitcher in the Orioles farm system, could be in some trouble. According to this story that Keith Law linked to his Twitter account today, Frabizio was arrested in the New York area for his part in a bank robbery. The right-hander went 4-4 with a 2.96 ERA in 12 starts for Rookie League Bluefield in 2009, but never made a roster last summer and was released by the Orioles in June. I wrote this profile on Frabizio in January 2010...

Here are progress updates for a pair of right-handed pitchers, Trevor Holder and Ryan Tatusko. Holder split last season between Single-A Hagerstown and Single-A Potomac, going 7-6 with a 3.64 ERA in 26 starts. He struck out 102 batters and allowed 29 walks. The 24-year old would like to cut down on his home runs allowed, with 11 of 14 surrendered for the season coming in just 14 starts in Woodbridge, Va. He was 3-3 with a 4.09 ERA in Potomac. The University of Georgia product has had a...

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - David Riske covered the last two innings for the Orioles, retiring all six batters he faced and striking out three to seal a 7-2 victory over the Rays at Charlotte Sports Park. The bullpen brought it strong today with six scoreless innings, including two each from Jason Berken and Josh Rupe. The unit allowed three hits, didn't issue a walk and struck out seven. "Boy, Riske has been impressive," manager Buck Showalter said. "Rupe continues to throw the ball well. I...

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - The Orioles wanted an offensive upgrade at shortstop. They got it. I know it's only spring training, but J.J. Hardy is batting .388 after going 3-for-4 today. He singled twice, doubled and knocked in two runs, and the Orioles are taking a 7-2 lead over the Rays into the bottom of the eighth inning. Hardy has two homers and 10 RBIs to go with that impressive average. Brian Roberts went 2-for-3 with a home run, walk and sacrifice fly. His average has climbed to...

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Jason Berken threw two scoreless innings, retiring the last five batters he faced. He allowed two hits and struck out three. Josh Rupe followed with a 1-2-3 sixth inning. He's allowed two unearned runs and seven hits in 12 2/3 innings. J.J. Hardy is 2-for-3 with an RBI double. Brian Roberts is 2-for-3 with a home run and a walk. Update: Vladimir Guerrero broke a 2-2 tie in the eighth inning with a two-run homer to left field off Cesar Ramos. It was a screaming line...