Big day for Wieters, Jones, Betemit and Arrieta (and more)

Big day for Wieters, Jones, Betemit and Arrieta (and more)
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles had interest in Edwin Jackson over the winter, but they weren't willing to give him more than a three-year deal. They gave him quite a beating today. Jackson allowed 10 runs (seven earned) and 11 hits in 3 2/3 innings, and the Orioles have built a 10-1 lead over the Nationals. Jackson walked two, struck out four and threw 75 pitches. Matt Wieters has singled twice, homered and driven in five runs. He began the day batting .129 with one homer and one RBI. Only...

Is Jones cleaning up? (O's lead 5-1)

Is Jones cleaning up? (O's lead 5-1)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Jake Arrieta threw 28 pitches in the top of the first inning today, only 14 for strikes. He allowed two hits and walked a batter, and the Orioles quickly trailed the Nationals 1-0. Arrieta's fastball was mostly 94 mph. I saw him hit 95 with at least one pitch. The Orioles tied the game in the bottom half on two-out singles by Wilson Betemit, Adam Jones and Matt Wieters. Jones was thrown out at the plate after Betemit scored. Jones reached on an infield hit. He's batting...

Pregame notes and Nats lineup (with quotes)

Pregame notes and Nats lineup (with quotes)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Dontrelle Willis could make his Orioles debut this afternoon against the Nationals. He's listed as one of the available pitchers, along with Darren O'Day, who's been sidelined with a strained groin muscle. Reliever Jason Berken will appear in his first game Sunday against the Phillies in Clearwater. He's been recovering from a hamstring injury. Tsuyoshi Wada is slated to pitch in his second Grapefruit League game Tuesday against the Twins in Sarasota. Wei-Yin Chen is...

Markakis out of lineup

Markakis out of lineup
SARASOTA, Fla. - Given the choice to play or sit, Nick Markakis decided to stick to his original schedule. He won't play today against the Nationals at Ed Smith Stadium. Manager Buck Showalter wrote out two lineups yesterday, including one with Markakis serving as the designated hitter. He left the decision to Markakis. "I was supposed to have off today on the original schedule, so we're going to stick with it and have a couple days off and get back in there," Markakis said. For the...

A few postgame notes after the Orioles' 6-5 victory

A few postgame notes after the Orioles' 6-5 victory
SARASOTA, Fla. - Adam Jones, Nick Markakis and Robert Andino each drove in two runs today, and Zach Phillips retired the side in order in the top of the ninth inning, striking out two, to preserve the Orioles' 6-5 victory over the Red Sox at Ed Smith Stadium. The Red Sox scored twice against Armando Galarraga over two innings before Phillips entered the game. One run off Galarraga was unearned after shortstop Ryan Flaherty committed his third error of the spring on a shallow fly ball to left...

Hammel on Hammel (O's win 6-5)

Hammel on Hammel (O's win 6-5)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Robert Andino's two-out double in the bottom of the fourth inning scored Mark Reynolds, who also doubled, and increased the Orioles' lead to 5-2. The Red Sox loaded the bases with one out in the fifth against Brad Bergesen, but a double play ended the rally. Bergesen tossed three scoreless innings, allowing three hits and walking two. Kevin Gregg has replaced him in the sixth. Jason Hammel left today's game after two innings because his pitch count rose to 59. "A lot...

Short outing for Hammel (Markakis homers)

Short outing for Hammel (Markakis homers)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Jason Hammel stuck around for only two innings today, leaving the game with the score tied, 2-2, and his pitch count at 59. Hammel retired the side in order in the first inning, striking out two, but he allowed two runs and three hits in the second, with two walks and two more strikeouts. He needed 39 pitches to get through the inning, and Brad Bergesen replaced him to start the third. Hammel threw 36 strikes among his 59 pitches. In four outings, Hammel has allowed four...

Talking about Tillman (Jones homers)

Talking about Tillman (Jones homers)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Chris Tillman faced three batters yesterday in Fort Myers, struck out all three and was done for the afternoon. Should we read anything into that one inning against the Twins? Are the Orioles considering him for a late-inning relief role? The safe answer is "not at this time." Manager Buck Showalter confirmed that the subject has been broached in the past. "That's not the first time," he said. "That's come up two years ago, a year ago. You've also got to think about...

Pregame notes on Hardy, Chavez, Simon and more (with quotes)

Pregame notes on Hardy, Chavez, Simon and more (with quotes)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter told reporters this morning that shortstop J.J. Hardy will return to the lineup on Saturday against the Nationals in Sarasota. Hardy is taking batting practice despite receiving treatment for a sore right arm. "He wants to play, but I'm going to give him one more day." Showalter said. "Just want to get it resolved. It's taking just a tad longer than usual. Usually it's resolved by now. It's nothing he couldn't play with. There are a lot...

Willis still waiting to pitch

Willis still waiting to pitch
SARASOTA, Fla. - Left-hander Dontrelle Willis, signed to a minor league deal earlier this week, is still waiting to get into his first game with the Orioles. "Hopefully soon. I don't know," he said. Willis threw a bullpen session on Wednesday and has been playing catch. "I'm just trying to catch up," he said. "I feel good. I feel like my strength is getting back, so that's good." The Phillies released Willis on Friday. "It's just about getting the strength back and the timing...

Hardy out of lineup again

Hardy out of lineup again
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy is out of the lineup again today because of a sore right arm. Robert Andino will make his second consecutive start at shortstop. Hardy didn't throw yesterday and also will rest today. "We just want to get it under control," Hardy said, adding that he could play through the discomfort it if were the regular season. "My arm, shoulder, it's just not feeling good. It's something I deal with every year. It's a nagging thing, but it's sticking...

Chen and Showalter speak after 11-1 victory

Chen and Showalter speak after 11-1 victory
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Trent Mummey hit a two-run homer today to complete the scoring in the Orioles' 11-1 victory over the Twins at Hammond Stadium. Dana Eveland gave up a hit and struck out two in a scoreless seventh inning. He tossed three perfect innings in his previous outing. Chris Tillman struck out the side in the eighth in his shortest outing this spring - manager Buck Showalter wanted him to turn it loose for one inning - and Pat Neshek retired the side in order in the ninth. Wei-Yin...

Wada outing (Davis homers, Chen's done)

Wada outing (Davis homers, Chen's done)
FORT MYERS, Fla. - While Taiwanese left-hander Wei-Yin Chen faces the Minnesota Twins today at Hammond Stadium, Japanese lefty Tsuyoshi Wada is pitching against a collection of Boston Red Sox Double-A players at Twin Lakes Park. Wada was allowed to go three innings and throw 46 pitches, including 31 for strikes. He faced 13 batters under those flexible rules. Wada allowed one unearned run and two hits, walked none and struck out two. Slowed early in camp by a sore elbow, Wada has appeared in...

Flaherty strengthens his case (Betemit homers)

Flaherty strengthens his case (Betemit homers)
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Rule 5 pick Ryan Flaherty drove in two more runs today, increasing the Orioles' lead to 3-1 over the Twins in the second inning and increasing his chances of making the club. Flaherty tripled to center field, scoring Wilson Betemit and Chris Davis. The Orioles almost hit for the cycle that inning, with Betemit reaching on a single and Davis following with a double. Flaherty is 9-for-33 this spring with one double, two triples, one homer and seven RBIs. Only Adam Jones...

Before first pitch ...

Before first pitch ...
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Manager Buck Showalter got hung up in a huge traffic jam on I-75, so he wasn't available to the media before today's game against the Twins. He arrived about 15 minutes before the anthem. I had the same issue, but I left the complex earlier and made it with room to spare. A typical Florida accident, where the car looks like a crushed aluminum can. They're called "fender benders" down here. People barely notice, except when traffic is backed up for miles and everyone...

Orioles lineup vs. Twins (updated)

Orioles lineup vs. Twins (updated)
SARASOTA, Fla. - I'm making another trip to Fort Myers today because I can't get enough of the Twins. Unfortunately, I'm referring to the baseball team. Left-hander Wei-Yin Chen makes another start for the Orioles. He's allowed four runs and nine hits, with two walks and eight strikeouts, in 10 Grapefruit League innings. Robert Andino makes a start at shortstop. For the Orioles: Xavier Avery CF Robert Andino SS Nick Johnson DH Nolan Reimold LF Wilson Betemit 3B Chris Davis 1B Ronny...

Andino's happy to be reunited with Willis

Andino's happy to be reunited with Willis
SARASOTA, Fla. - When I heard that the Orioles signed pitcher Dontrelle Willis to a minor league contract, my first thought was "Florida Marlins." Actually, my first thought was, "Really?" But then I linked Willis to the Marlins, his first major league team. I joined the pack of reporters at Willis' locker this morning - and I'm proud to say that I was the first one to notice him, just as I was walking toward an Orioles' public relations official with a request to find Willis and...

Britton could miss six weeks, Showalter speaks after 6-3 loss

Britton could miss six weeks, Showalter speaks after 6-3 loss
SARASOTA, Fla. - Pitchers Oscar Villarreal and Jon Link also have been reassigned to minor league camp, reducing the roster to 43 players, including 23 pitchers. Pitcher Zach Britton received two Platelet Rich Plasma injections today in his left shoulder, and Dr. James Andrews told him it could be a six-week process before he's cleared to pitch. The hope, of course, is that Britton returns much sooner. Britton said the MRI only shows "typical wear and tear of a pitcher" and added that Dr....

Britton shut down 7-10 days, Socolovich and Eyre reassigned

Britton shut down 7-10 days, Socolovich and Eyre reassigned
SARASOTA, Fla. - Pitcher Zach Britton will be shut down seven to 10 days after receiving an injection in his left shoulder to reduce the inflammation. The good news is Dr. James Andrews didn't find any structural damage in Britton's shoulder, so his diagnosis matches the one coming from the Orioles. But as expected, Britton won't be ready for opening day and figures to begin the season on the disabled list. Britton received a Platelet Rich Plasma injection, which contains several different...

Hunter on Hunter (O's lose 6-3)

Hunter on Hunter (O's lose 6-3)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Pitcher Tommy Hunter says he still has a few things to work on before the Orioles break camp. "Maybe throwing strikes, starting off hitters with strikes," he said. "That's probably the first goal." The guy has a great sense of humor. Hunter was making his first appearance in a Grapefruit League game after throwing four innings in a minor league game. He allowed two runs and five hits over five innings. "Back to the big leagues," he said. "I was joking around about...