SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles reliever Evan Phillips underwent an MRI on his sore right elbow this week and was sent out today for a second opinion. Phillips struggled in his debut against the Rays on Feb. 23 with three runs and two walks in two-thirds of an inning. He registered a scoreless inning against the Braves three days later with a walk and strikeout. "We gave him an MRI. It showed OK. Mild," said manager Brandon Hyde. "He's seeing a second opinion and it's going on today. That's why...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Andrew Velazquez lined a single into right-center field this afternoon off Rays starter Charlie Morton, who handed the ball to his manager and exited one out short of completing the third inning. At the plate again in the fifth, Velazquez coaxed a walk out of former Orioles reliever Oliver Drake. He's 4-for-9 with three stolen bases this spring. Velazquez is the last Orioles player to crack the camp roster after a Feb. 19 waiver claim. He's also migrating toward the front of...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Richard Ureña exited the utility competition in Orioles camp and has been dragged back into it. Just when a player thinks he's out ... The club announced that Ureña cleared waivers and has been outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk. He gets an invitation to spring training that bloats the camp roster to 69 players. It was inevitable. The Orioles designated Ureña for assignment after claiming Anthony Velazquez off waivers from the Indians. Velazquez is waiting to appear in...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Absolutely nothing should be read into a spring training lineup in February. And the level of importance scrapes the bottom if it's an opener and played on the road. The Orioles kept most of their regulars back at the Ed Smith Stadium complex yesterday, including first baseman Chris Davis, shortstop José Iglesias, third baseman Rio Ruiz, infielder Hanser Alberto and outfielder Trey Mancini. Five catchers made the trip and Pedro Severino wasn't among them. I kept looking...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Utility competitions generally do not elicit much excitement and drama in a spring training camp. The backup infielder ranks pretty low on the meter. More yawns than yippees. The Orioles, however, are turning the battles into a game show of sorts - but without the car or jet skis as a grand prize. Richard Ureña had been deemed a favorite to break camp on March 23 until the Orioles designated him for assignment yesterday. Another mock roster goes into the shredder. Pat...

When it comes to the start of spring training games for the Orioles this Saturday, fans and reporters alike will begin tracking the chase for rotation spots. Is Alex Cobb healthy? Who will join him and John Means in the rotation? There are other areas in camp where there will be competition for a spot or spots. One area that is probably not going to garner a lot of media or fan attention is the battle to be the club's utility infielder. Or maybe they expand that to a super utility type as a...