adam russell

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Left-hander Kelvin De La Cruz began toying with a sidearm delivery two years ago, but last season he realized how it could benefit him while pitching for the Dodgers¿ Triple-A team in Albuquerque.

The Orioles signed veteran right-hander Jon Rauch to a minor league deal, and the reliever will report to Triple-A Norfolk on Monday, the team announced Saturday.

TORONTO ¿ Some of you are wondering why Orioles manager Buck Showalter stuck with closer Jim Johnson in the ninth inning of the Orioles¿ 6-5 loss to Toronto on Sunday afternoon.

Orioles will add a reliever to the roster on Sunday morning.

Steve Johnson may have been the best feel-good story in an Orioles season filled with them last year. His 2013 hasn¿t been as smooth.

The primary goal of any leadoff man is to get on base, and Orioles left fielder Nate McLouth is beginning to fill that role nicely.

Zach Britton's chances of going north with the Orioles seemingly took a hit Wednesday as he failed to get out of the second inning in a Grapefruit League start against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Luis Exposito has been optioned to Triple-A Norfolk while lefty Daniel Schlereth and Adam Russell were sent to minor league camp.

In what could be his final outing before he is sent to minor league camp, Orioles pitching prospect Kevin Gausman threw two scoreless innings in relief against the Red Sox, striking out Mike Napoli and Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

Orioles third baseman Danny Valencia launched a solo homer in the ninth inning off Red Sox reliever Terry Doyle to give the Orioles an 8-7 win over Boston at JetBlue Park on Tuesday afternoon.

As the competition for the Orioles' fifth rotation spot begins to heat up, right-hander Jake Arrieta made his case Saturday afternoon, throwing 4 2/3 shutout innings in a 3-1 win over the Toronto Blue Jays at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium.

Orioles right-hander Jake Arrieta will make his fourth spring outing, his second start, today against the Blue Jays.

Baltimore Orioles pitcher Daniel McCutchen said he's ready to experiment with his new delivery in a Grapefruit League game.

Baltimore Orioles pitcher Daniel McCutchen tested out a new lower arm slot in Tuesday's intrasquad game.

Orioles right-hander Jair Jurrjens said his three-inning outing in Tuesday's intrasquad game was yet another step forward in returning to his past All-Star form.

Jake Arrieta's bid to make the Orioles' rotation likely was strengthened Monday when he allowed two hits and struck out five through four innings in a 4-3 loss against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

They nearly gave it away, but in the ninth inning Ryan Flaherty hit a three-run, two-out, walk-off homer to give the Orioles an 11-10 victory against the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Blue Jays have brought a pretty good lineup to Sarasota on Thursday, for early March anyway

Orioles left fielder Nolan Reimold was pulled from Friday's game against the Pirates with a sore shoulder

SOrioles second baseman Brian Roberts hit a par of doubles and scored two runs, while left fielder Nate McLouth added a two-out, pinch-hit double in the fourth inning to give the Orioles a 5-1 win over the Yankees at Ed Smith Stadium.

Adam Russell is fighting for a job in the Orioles' spring training camp. His baseball career has been about resilience, but he says the fight he's shown is nothing compared to that which his family has displayed.

In four intrasquad plate appearances this week, Nate McLouth reached base three times, including lacing an early-count double off lefty Zach Britton on Wednesday.

The Orioles will play a pair of three-inning intrasquad games Wednesday starting at 10:15 a.m. Each pitcher is scheduled to throw one inning. The games are open to the public.

Baltimore Orioles right-hander Jair Jurrjens threw his first bullpen session as an Oriole during today's chilly spring workout here in Sarasota.

Brian Roberts has been through a lot over the past three years, but things are definitely looking up.

Orioles right-handed reliever Luis Ayala said Friday morning that he still hasn't made a decision on whether he will pitch for Mexico in next month's World Baseball Classic.

Eleven pitchers threw their first bullpen sessions Wednesday, and Buck Showalter liked his first impression of left-hander T.J. McFarland, the team¿s Rule 5 pick in December.

This year's World Baseball Classic will throw a wrench into spring preparations at every camp in the majors.

The Orioles added their latest reclamation project Wednesday, agreeing to terms with first baseman Conor Jackson on a minor league deal with an invitation to major league spring training, executive vice president Dan Duquette announced.