It was another day when the Orioles did not get a strong outing from their starting pitcher. Right-hander Félix Hernández, a six-time All-Star and the 2010 AL Cy Young Award winner, again had a shaky outing as the Orioles faced the Pittsburgh Pirates in Bradenton. Hernández did not express concern over either the stat sheet or that his fastball again was mostly in the mid-80s. He'll no doubt get more chances to show he can be effective but his ERA is 9.64 after two spring...

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde hasn't decided on 13 or 14 pitchers for the opening day roster, and whether he's carrying one or more super-utility players. But he knows what's required in order to make the setup work. Anyone backing up in the infield obviously must be able to play shortstop and be trusted at the position, which gives an edge to Ramón Urías and Pat Valaika. "For me, a true utility player is able to play short, is able to spell your shortstop, able to spell your second...

Juan Soto reported to The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches this morning, feeling better after spending Wednesday at home with what was believed to be a sinus issue, and wanted to play in the Nationals' exhibition game against the Marlins. And Davey Martinez initially put Soto in his lineup. He was batting second, behind Victor Robles and ahead of Trea Turner in the latest attempt by the manager to see if that new-look trio atop the order could work. Then Martinez thought better of it. Soto was...

Another day, another opportunity for Davey Martinez to try out what appears to be his preferred opening day lineup. That's the one that opens with Victor Robles, Juan Soto and Trea Turner, in that order. At this point, it should be clear Martinez really, really, really wants Robles to prove he can handle the leadoff spot. And though he has flip-flopped Soto and Turner in the No. 2 and No. 3 spots, this arrangement (with Turner serving as Soto's protection) seems to be the manager's...

Stevie Wilkerson is starting at third base today and Pat Valaika is across the diamond as the Orioles travel to Bradenton to play the Pirates. Yusniel Diaz is the right fielder. Jahmai Jones is the designated hitter. Félix Hernández made his Orioles debut on Saturday against the Tigers. He retired the side in order in the first inning, issued back-to-back walks in the second and surrendered two runs in a 6-5 loss. Hernández retired the first four batters with two strikeouts. "It was...

There are two types of ballplayers in any spring training camp: Those who know they can use this time to prepare themselves for the regular season, and those who believe they need to perform now to have a chance to still be around for the regular season. As much as everyone wishes he was in the first category, the truth is many are left stuck in the latter group. These are the guys who are competing for jobs, and because of that they often feel like their spring numbers matter a lot more than...

In terms of the date on the calendar, the Orioles' two Rule 5 pick pitchers currently on the team made it farther than the two pitchers the club took a look at last spring. Then, right-hander Michael Rucker was returned to the Cubs and right-hander Brandon Bailey to the Astros on March 6. Yesterday, March 10, the current Rule 5 pitchers made their third outings and combined for three scoreless innings. In their previous appearances, right-hander Mac Sceroler allowed five runs in 1/3 of an...

After using his first start of the spring to make sure his sprained left ankle was healed and his pitching mechanics were still in proper form, Max Scherzer remarked that his objective was to "go out there, get my work in and worry about getting the intensity later." It appears five days counts as "later" in Scherzer's mind. Making his second start of the spring this afternoon in West Palm Beach, Fla., Scherzer looked like a midseason version of himself. He faced nine Cardinals batters and...

The Orioles won't really sink their teeth into their camp roster until they get closer to opening day. The first round of cuts was more like a nibble. There are decisions to be made that are going to challenge them. Others shouldn't consume hours and run late into the night. For example: Easy: Outfielders Yusniel Diaz and Ryan McKenna head to the alternate camp site in April and await their major league debuts later in the summer. The Orioles, meanwhile, celebrate their outfield depth that...

The minor league seasons are starting late, which is a heck of a lot better than nothing at all. That's the attitude carried by the Orioles, who are busy finalizing plans for their alternate camp site in Bowie and the minor league spring training in Sarasota that commences after they break. Exhibition games are played and rightfully get most of the attention, including today's 4-3-win over the Blue Jays at Ed Smith Stadium, but there's much more activity churning behind the scenes. "We've...