Nick Johnson

One thing lost in the Orioles' victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday night was a bit of club infamy made by first baseman Nick Johnson. Johnson, a career .270 hitter entering this season, went hitless in three at-bats Thursday. That put him 0-for-26 for the season and gave him the club's all-time hitless record for a position player to begin an Orioles career. The previous record was 0-for-25, set by infielder Ron Hansen from 1958 to 1960. The all-time Orioles record is pitcher Wes Stock, who never got a hit in his Orioles career, which spanned 36 at-bats from 1959 to 1964.

When the Orioles open up spring training down in Sarasota two weeks from tomorrow, expect non-roster pitchers Mike Wright and Eduardo Rodriguez, who are among the organization's top pitching prospects, to be among those looking to make an impression in major league camp. With the World Baseball Classic pushing the beginning of spring training up a week, the Orioles likely limit some regulars, especially pitchers, when games begin on Feb. 23. That will give many of the Orioles' younger players an opportunity to make an impression during the opening days of the Grapefruit League season.

When the Orioles open up spring training down in Sarasota two weeks from tomorrow, expect non-roster pitchers Mike Wright and Eduardo Rodriguez, who are among the organization's top pitching prospects, to be among those looking to make an impression in major league camp. With the World Baseball Classic pushing the beginning of spring training up a week, the Orioles likely limit some regulars, especially pitchers, when games begin on Feb. 23. That will give many of the Orioles' younger players an opportunity to make an impression during the opening days of the Grapefruit League season.

There will be a few firsts tonight when the Orioles return from the All-Star break against the Tigers here at Camden Yards. First, Nick Markakis will return from his first stint on the DL tonight and by making his first start batting leadoff. (Read more on that HERE .) Also, Chris Davis, who has played well filling Markakis' spot in right field, will make his first big league start in left field. Davis played in 52 minor-league games in left, including 14 last season at Triple-A Round Rock before he was traded to the Orioles from the Rangers.

The Orioles are closing in on a minor league deal with veteran first baseman Nick Johnson that would include an invitation to spring training. A deal could be announced as early as Thursday, an industry source said. Johnson had his best season with the Nationals in 2006, when he put up a .290/.428/.520 line with 23 homers and 77 RBIs. He's been riddled with injuries over the past few seasons and spent the majority of last season with the Indians' Triple-A team in Columbus, Ohio, hitting .201/.316/.322 in 184 at bats.

Before the Orioles finished their exhibition schedule Wednesday at Triple-A Norfolk, manager Buck Showalter joked with Nick Johnson that the first baseman needed to stay healthy for just a matter of hours before the 5 p.m. roster deadline. The oft-injured Johnson, a non-roster invitee whose contract would be purchased by the Orioles by that deadline, took a ball to the ankle later in the day. "It just smoked him on the ankle," Showalter said. "He asked what time was it. I said it's a little early.

Nick Johnson's brief career in an Oriolesuniform offered few highlights until Friday night. The 33-year-old had grown frustrated with his inability to contribute to the burgeoning Orioles offense. It seemed as though he had left his bat at spring training in Sarasota, where he impressed the organization as one of the biggest dark horses to make the club as a non-roster invitee. But with sole possession of first place in the AL East on the line, Johnson played the role of hero. Johnson, who opened the season with a 0-for-28 hitless streak, hit a game-winning two-run homer in the seventh inning to give the Orioles a 4-3 win over the Rays on Friday night in front of an announced crowd of 26,669 at Camden Yards.

SARASOTA, Fla. - More than a decade after he broke into the major leagues, first baseman Nick Johnson has little doubt that he can still hit a baseball. That part of the game has never been a problem for Johnson, signed by the Orioles to a minor league deal a week before spring training began here at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. Staying on the field has. Coming up with the New York Yankees in 2001, Johnson was seen as one of the most promising hitters in the game, but injuries often stepped in the way of potential.

Finally, the Orioles have another outfielder in the outfield. On Thursday, the club promoted Xavier Avery from Triple-A Norfolk when first baseman Nick Johnson was placed on the disabled list with a strained right wrist. Avery, who hit .217 in a 15-game stint with the Orioles from May 13 to May 29, was immediately inserted into the starting lineup, batting second and playing left field. "You never know what to expect, but I'm very happy to be back and be back playing up here," said Avery, who hit .268 with 18 extra base hits and 16 stolen bases for the Tides.

After four nights at Saint Agnes Hospital, Orioles reliever Jim Johnson was finally released Friday morning after a severe case of food poisoning. Johnson, who has converted 15 straight save opportunities dating to last season, acknowledged the experience was frustrating and frightening. "A little of both, depending on the time," Johnson said. "It was pretty bad. " Doctors conducted various tests to rule out specific illnesses, and eventually, food poisoning - including when and where - was pinpointed.

Nick Johnson said a MRI on his sprained right wrist showed only scar tissue, meaning there is no new damage to a wrist he has injured multiple times. “Nothing torn or any of that stuff,” said Johnson, who hurt the wrist on a swing Wednesday. “So that's a pretty good sign.” Johnson said he will have to wear a brace for at least seven days and then be re-evaluated. He doesn't know a specific timeline for a return yet. “Keep this brace on for a week, take some pills and we'll see how it goes in a week,” he said.

Finally, the Orioles have another outfielder in the outfield. On Thursday, the club promoted Xavier Avery from Triple-A Norfolk when first baseman Nick Johnson was placed on the disabled list with a strained right wrist. Avery, who hit .217 in a 15-game stint with the Orioles from May 13 to May 29, was immediately inserted into the starting lineup, batting second and playing left field. "You never know what to expect, but I'm very happy to be back and be back playing up here," said Avery, who hit .268 with 18 extra base hits and 16 stolen bases for the Tides.

Orioles first baseman/designated hitter Nick Johnson left Wednesday's 13-1 loss to the Angels in the fourth inning with a right wrist injury and will likely have an MRI on the wrist Thursday. Johnson said he felt pain in the wrist after fouling off a change up in his first at bat on Wednesday in the second inning. "That one pitch got it pretty good and I lost a lot of strength in it the next pitch," Johnson said. "So we're gonna wait to see what this picture shows and move forward.

      In the ninth inning of Thursday's 7-0 loss to the Boston Red Sox, Orioles manager Buck Showalter pinch-hit for Adam Jones, replacing him with Nick Johnson.       Even in a blowout it was a curious move - and made you wonder whether Jones' right wrist was still bothering him.      It is still sore, Showalter said after the game, and so he saw an opportunity to limit Jones' at-bats in the lopsided affair. Plus, Johnson had just two previous at-bats on the entire nine-game road trip.

Nick Johnson's brief career in an Oriolesuniform offered few highlights until Friday night. The 33-year-old had grown frustrated with his inability to contribute to the burgeoning Orioles offense. It seemed as though he had left his bat at spring training in Sarasota, where he impressed the organization as one of the biggest dark horses to make the club as a non-roster invitee. But with sole possession of first place in the AL East on the line, Johnson played the role of hero. Johnson, who opened the season with a 0-for-28 hitless streak, hit a game-winning two-run homer in the seventh inning to give the Orioles a 4-3 win over the Rays on Friday night in front of an announced crowd of 26,669 at Camden Yards.

After four nights at Saint Agnes Hospital, Orioles reliever Jim Johnson was finally released Friday morning after a severe case of food poisoning. Johnson, who has converted 15 straight save opportunities dating to last season, acknowledged the experience was frustrating and frightening. "A little of both, depending on the time," Johnson said. "It was pretty bad. " Doctors conducted various tests to rule out specific illnesses, and eventually, food poisoning - including when and where - was pinpointed.

CHICAGO - The phone rang just as the Washington Nationals' Nick Johnson was crossing home plate after pounding a home run off the facade of the upper deck at RFK Stadium against Greg Maddux and the Chicago Cubs on May 15. "Snack-shack distance," my son declared. "And then some," I agreed. His reference was to Dooley Field, a well-kept jewel of a Little League complex in Sacramento, Calif., that has been a field of dreams for thousands of aspiring ballplayers during its 50-plus years of existence.

GREAT SCOTT Luke Scott isn't enthralled with the idea of being an everyday designated hitter, but he certainly warmed to the role yesterday. On a chilly day at the Nationals' Space Coast Stadium, Scott went 3-for-3 with two RBIs and two doubles. His third-inning double brought in leadoff man Felix Pie, who had reached on a walk after Justin Turner's two-run homer. Scott drove in Pie again in the fifth inning with an RBI single. PAULEY SHARP Rich Hill was scratched before the game with left elbow soreness, giving David Pauley the start.

One thing lost in the Orioles' victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday night was a bit of club infamy made by first baseman Nick Johnson. Johnson, a career .270 hitter entering this season, went hitless in three at-bats Thursday. That put him 0-for-26 for the season and gave him the club's all-time hitless record for a position player to begin an Orioles career. The previous record was 0-for-25, set by infielder Ron Hansen from 1958 to 1960. The all-time Orioles record is pitcher Wes Stock, who never got a hit in his Orioles career, which spanned 36 at-bats from 1959 to 1964.

Left fielder Nolan Reimold is not in the starting lineup again today - as is expected because of neck spasms. Orioles manager Buck Showaltersaid Reimold is improving and hopefully will be ready to play after Monday's off day. Nick Johnson, who is in an 0-for-23 skid to start his Orioles career, was not in the starting lineup.  Showalter said he's not worried about the veteran, but Johnson admits this isn't easy. “I have had a couple other ones, but not to start the year. So yeah, it's tough,” Johnson said.