steve clevenger

The competition for the reserve catcher role may not be the most compelling story in spring training for the Orioles, but it was very much on display in Monday¿s 7-6 victory over the host Pittsburgh Pirates at McKechnie Field.

Kevin Gausman retired the first seven hitters he faced on his way to three shutout innings in the Orioles¿ 13-2 win over the Red Sox at JetBlue Park.

He didn't pick up the position on a regular basis until midway through high school, but now Johnny Monell Jr. — acquired from the San Francisco Giants in November — is battling for the Orioles' backup catcher job this spring, fighting Steve Clevenger for the right to play behind starter Matt Wieters. His father was a longtime catcher and outfielder.

Even though Steve Clevenger and Johnny Monell have experience playing elsewhere, don¿t expect to see either anywhere but behind the plate this spring as they compete for the backup catching job.

He opened the Orioles¿ Grapefruit League season by striking out three and giving up just one hit over two innings against a representative Tampa Bay Rays lineup in the Orioles 4-2 win at Charlotte Sports Park.

SARASOTA, Orioles top position player prospect Jonathan Schoop made a quick impression today in the team's first intrasquad game.

Steve Clevenger, a Mount St. Joseph's graduate, grew up an Orioles fan, living just a stone's throw from Oriole Park at Camden Yards, in Pigtown. The trade that brought him to his hometown organization last summer gave him an opportunity few players have.

Orioles pitchers and catchers aren't required to report until tomorrow, but several early arrivals worked out Wednesday morning at the club's spring training complex at Ed Smith Stadium.

After a great and healthy season in 2013, Michael Ohlman is back on the radar.

With the addition of right-hander Evan Meek on a minor league deal with an invitation to major league camp Wednesday, the Orioles now have 60 players invited to spring training.

Second baseman Jemile Weeks, who came to the Orioles from Oakland in December's Jim Johnson trade, and catcher Johnny Monell, acquired in a deal with the San Francisco Giants, will likely both have to show their flexibility.

The Orioles have announced the autograph schedule for this year's FanFest event on Feb. 1. Autograph ticket vouchers go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m. on the club's website.

Back in October, we asked how many of the Orioles' nine free agents were likely to return in 2014. With less than five weeks until spring training, it could end up that none of them return to Baltimore.

County resident took part in team's annual holiday party at Arundel Mills Mall

The Yankees have nine players making $15 million or more for 2014; the Orioles have one

A CBSSports.com report surfaced Wednesday evening that the club made offers to closer Grant Balfour and Nelson Cruz. An industry source said while the Orioles' discussions with Balfour were progressing on Wednesday night, their reported pursuit of Cruz was exaggerated.

Orioles right-hander Scott Feldman signed a three-year deal with Houston. Said O's didn't make an offer.

Scott Feldman is headed to the Houston Astros at $30 million over three years.

The Orioles have made another roster move, acquiring 27-year-old catcher Johnny Monell from the San Francisco Giants in a trade for cash considerations Saturday.

Former Orioles catcher Taylor Tegarden and right-hander Jairo Asencio have declared for free agency.

These Orioles didn¿t match the achievements of last season, but the team ended the 2013 season with 85 wins following a 7-6 comeback win over the American League East-winning Boston Red Sox on Sunday afternoon in front of the seventh sellout crowd of the season.

Orioles first baseman Chris Davis said he'd probably miss only a day or two if the regular season continued.

Jonathan Schoop was hanging out at his locker Wednesday afternoon when Orioles manager Buck Showalter, who had been talking with shortstop J.J. Hardy nearby, pointed to Schoop and said, "You and J.J. today."

Jonathan Schoop gets his first hit; Ryan Flaherty gets his first Eutaw Street homer.

The MRI performed on Orioles third baseman Manny Machado's left knee has this afternoon has been read by a radiologist at Johns Hopkins Hospital, but the club won't announce the findings until team ordopedist Dr. John Wilckens also reads the results.

The Orioles are rapidly falling out of the race, but right-hander Scott Feldman has done his part in the last two months

Six of the eight Orioles who played all 18 innings in Friday's six hour, 54-minute marathon were in Saturday's starting lineup. It took them until the ninth to score in Saturday's 5-1 defeat to the Rays.

After playing the longest game in either franchise¿s history on Friday night, the Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays returned to Tropicana Field looking like sleep-deprived clubs. The alarm finally went off for the Rays in the fifth when Desmond Jennings smacked a three-run homer to spur a 5-1 Tampa Bay victory

Buck Showalter started six players who lasted all 18 innings Friday.

After his five-inning, three-run effort Friday in his first major league start since late July, Jason Hammel said he will prepare as though he's making another start when the next turn comes, but it's still unclear whether the right-hander will stay in the Orioles' rotation.

With the Yankees losing to the Red Sox 5-1 this afternoon, the Orioles could jump in front of New York in the division and wild-card standings with a win in Toronto.

Orioles first baseman Chris Davis made history on Friday night, tying Brady Anderson for the franchise single-seasn home run record with his eighth-inning solo blast against the Toronto Blue Jays.

The Orioles selected the contract of first baseman Dan Johnson from Triple-A Norfolk to add another left-handed bat in place of rookie outfielder Henry Urrutia, who is not with the team in Canada because of visa issues.

The Orioles received what they believe is good news on right-hander Darren O'Day, who went to Florida to see hand specialist Dr. Brian Schofield.

The Orioles can win a series for the first time in four series Saturday afternoon with a victory over the White Sox.

The Orioles made major switches at the catcher position on the first day of roster expansion Sunday, designating backup Taylor Teagarden for assignment while purchasing the contracts of veteran Chris Snyder and Baltimore native Steve Clevenger from Triple-A Norfolk.

Before a crowd of supporters and former players, Gaels coach Dave Norton officially announced his retirement after 38 years as the school's baseball coach. Assistant Jody Harris will guide the program next year.

The Baltimore Orioles beat the deadline by minutes with a trade for Bud Norris on Wednesday. Here's a roundup of what some of the national pundits think of the deal.

Matt Wieters' bat has sizzled coming out of the All-Star break, but the Orioles' catcher said he doesn't think the four days of rest over the break has anything to do with it.