Brian Matusz

Orioles' lefty Wei-Yin Chen threw 51 pitches (33 strikes) Friday in an exhibition start against the Pittsburgh Pirates that lasted 2 1/3 innings. His fastball sat between 89 and 91 mph and with the exception of his command - especially his slider - he looked pretty solid for this time of year. Toward the end of his interview with the local media, Chen said, “I feel it is going to be a good year for me.” The sophomore campaign often is the roughest for pitchers, but Chen, who will be 28 in July, wasn't a normal rookie last year and he won't be a normal sophomore this season.

Shortstop Yunel Escobar and second baseman Ryan Roberts hit back-to-back home runs off Orioles left-hander Brian Matusz in the fourth inning on Saturday as the Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Orioles, 4-1, at Charlotte Sports Park. Those were the only hits Matusz surrendered over two innings after coming on in relief of starting pitcher Wei-Yin Chen, who needed just 23 pitches to complete two scoreless innings in his 2013 Grapefruit League debut. "[For my] spring debut this year, I feel pretty satisfied for today," Chen said through interpreter Tim Lin. The Orioles scored their only run of the game in the sixth inning when third baseman Manny Machado tripled off Rays pitcher Josh Lueke and outfielder Jason Pridie drove him home with a sharp single up the middle.

In their unexpected run to the playoffs last season, the Orioles were historically good in one-run games, winning more than 76 percent of them. Their bullpen was among the best in the majors -- and among the best in franchise history -- as relievers went 32-11 with 55 saves and a 3.00 ERA as the Orioles won 93 games. The Orioles ranked fifth in ERA and also finished fifth in WHIP with 1.21 walks and hits per inning. They somehow did it without striking out a lot of batters, as they ranked 28th with 7.49 strikeouts per nine innings.

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Orioles left-hander Brian Matusz threw two scoreless innings in his first spring start Monday against the New York Yankees, overcoming a pair of singles to open the game to retire the final five batters he faced. “It was nice to get out there and get the first one out of the way, kind of get in the rhythm again,” Matusz said. “It's been a while since I've been a starter. It's nice to work on the routine again and try and find that. Out there on the mound, working well with [catcher Matt]

The Orioles return home today to host the Yankees for a 1:05 p.m. game at Ed Smith Stadium. The Yankees will play their first game without outfielder Curtis Granderson, who suffered a fractured right forearm in his first at-bat Sunday against Toronto. Granderson is estimated to be out 10 weeks. Regardless, don't expect to see many Yankees regulars here in Sarasota. There are seven non-roster invitees in their starting lineup today. Left-hander Brian Matusz will start and make his Grapefruit League debut.

The Orioles have agreed to contract terms with right-hander Tommy Hunter on a one-year, $1.82 million deal. Hunter, 26, pitched in 33 games (20 starts for the Orioles), going 7-8 with a 5.45 ERA. He was more effective as a reliever, winning all three of his decisions while pitching to a 3.71 ERA. This was the first year of arbitration for Hunter, who made $493,500 in 2012. According to an industry source, the Orioles are also close to a deal with left-hander Brian Matusz, though it is not official.

By this time next week, Ed Encina and I will be knee-deep in Winter Meetings muck, trying to decipher what's actually going on in the lobbies, bars and meeting rooms in Nashville. So I figured I'd open up the bar today and crank up the hot stove. As our columnist Peter Schmuck wrote Sunday , it wouldn't be a surprise if Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette dangles one of the club's young starters in an attempt to land a position player with upside - someone who can play left field, first base or DH. Given what the Orioles have, and the hype that has surrounded them, you'd think Jake Arrieta, Zach Britton, Brian Matusz and Chris Tillman all maintain some value on the open market.

The Orioles have scouted Shohei Otani, the Japanese high-school right-hander who was drafted by the Nippon-Ham Fighters of Japan's professional baseball league this week. Otani made it known he'd like to play in the United States, and teams here could still attempt to sign him. No word on exactly what the Orioles thought of him, but apparently he has a pretty impressive arsenal. The problem is it's protocol to avoid players who have allegiances with Japanese teams. So although the Orioles wouldn't be doing anything wrong if they pursued Otani, it would be frowned upon in Japanese baseball circles.

Baltimore Sun writers react to the Orioles' 3-2 loss to the New York Yankees in Game 3 of the ALDS: Eduardo A. Encina, Orioles beat reporter We came to believe that the Orioles just dont lose in extra innings, but then they met Raul Ibanez. For most of the game, they kept Yankee Stadium at snooze level. This game wasn't lost in the ninth or even the 12th. The Orioles couldn't capitalize on Yankees starter Hiroki Kuroda's early control problems. Now it will take their best display of resilience yet to continue their season.

Since the start, these Orioles have been wildly unpredictable -- and I mean that in a good way -- which is why they will go down as one of the most lovable teams in Baltimore sports lore. But there have been a few constants for a team that probably had to play name games once a week to stay familiar with an endless parade of new faces. There was Buck Showalter, the manager who has mostly made all the right moves. There was Adam Jones, who brings toughness and swagger every night.