Orioles

MINNEAPOLIS -- Orioles rookie T.J. McFarland, who has transitioned nicely from a starter in the minors to a long reliever in the majors, had never pitched in back-to-back games in his professional career. That changed this week when he pitched a scoreless inning Thursday at Camden Yards against the Kansas City Royals and then 2 2/3 scoreless innings against the Twins at Target Field on Friday. "He's kind of done it before, but not in a game," manager Buck Showalter said. "[Pitching coach Rick Adair]

The Orioles announced Thursday night that outfielder Xavier Avery has been sent down to Triple-A Norfolk. Although they have not announced a corresponding move, left fielder Endy Chavez, who has been sidelined with a hamstring injury, is expected to come off the disabled list Friday. The Orioles don't want the 22-year-old Avery, who has hit .233 with a .317 on-base percentage in 24 games in three stints with the club, to be a fourth outfielder in the majors. They'd rather have him play every day. Steve Pearce and Chris Davis likely will serve as reserve outfielders.

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The stability of the Orioles starting rotation - in which four pitchers essentially had spots locked up  - and a Grapefruit League schedule that included a heavy dose of American League East opponents was possibly the best thing that could have happened to Orioles pitching prospect Kevin Gausman. In Gausman's first spring camp, he's had a chance to compile innings in major league games because the Orioles didn't want to pitch their established starters against division competition.

Mark Reynolds, who spent the past two seasons as a starting corner infielder with the Orioles, has agreed to terms on a one-year deal worth $6 million plus incentives with the Cleveland Indians, according to an industry source. Reynolds, 29, hit .221 with 23 homers and 69 RBIs in 135 games last year after a 2011 season in which he hit a team-leading 37 homers in 155 games. The Orioles held an $11 million option on Reynolds for 2013 that the club declined this offseason, preferring instead to buy it out for $500,000.

Earl Weaver penned his own epitaph. “On my tombstone just write, 'The sorest loser that ever lived,' “ he once said. Weaver, the Orioles' chain-smoking, umpire-baiting, tomato-growing manager who led the team to four American League pennants and the 1970 world championship in his 17 years here, died late Friday night while on a baseball-themed cruise. The Orioles confirmed his death Saturday morning but did not release a cause. The Hall of Famer, who lived in Pembroke Pines, Fla., was 82. “Earl Weaver stands alone as the greatest manager in the history of the Orioles organization and one of the greatest in the history of baseball,” Orioles owner Peter Angelos said in a statement.

Orioles right-hander Miguel Gonzalez, who has not pitched since developing a deep blister on his right thumb May 3 in Anaheim, is getting closer to appearing in a big league game. Gonzalez threw 35 pitches in a bullpen session Wednesday, the last few without a bandage covering the thumb (he won't be able to use a covering in a game). He said he came out feeling “really good.” “The ball was coming out good,” Gonzalez said. “The breaking pitches were fine. I was pretty happy about my performance.” Gonzalez is next scheduled to pitch in a simulated game Friday afternoon at Camden Yards so that the team can best control the environment.

ANAHEIM, Calif. - The first five weeks of the Orioles' season has included more than its share of hotel rooms and plane rides, ending with a marathon 11-day, 11-game stretch to the West Coast. And while it's still early in the 2013 season, the Orioles' strong showing during a trip that took them through Oakland, Seattle and Anaheim undoubtedly made for an easier cross-country flight back to Baltimore. With their 8-4 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday, the Orioles finished their trip with a 7-4 record going into Monday's highly anticipated off day. And they did so with the same lunch pail mentality that defined last year's team.

You say you're a die-hard Orioles fan. You say you'd follow the team to your grave. Now you have a chance to do that - literally. How about heading off to that big ballpark in the sky in your very own Orioles funeral casket? Oh, this baby is a beauty, too: a cream-colored, 18-gauge steel model with Orioles logos up the wazoo. Think about it. Orange handles. Black tassels. Your head resting on a fluffy white pillow embossed with an image of the ornithologically correct Oriole bird. Your eyes staring up for all eternity at the same image on the underside of the casket lid. Best of all, you don't have to deal with all the doom and gloom that comes with being a fan. Because if the Orioles still stink, what do you care?

The Orioles announced that they will wear green-and-black caps during their split-squad games Sunday as part of their "Go Green" Day at Ed Smith Stadium and St. Patrick's Day. The Orioles host the Minnesota Twins and also play against the Philadelphia Phillies in Clearwater. Afterward, the caps will be autographed and auctioned online at www.orioles.com/spring , with proceeds to benefit the Mote Marine Laboratory Animal Hospitals. The Sarasota-based hospitals treat animals that have been harmed due to damage to the environment.

Orioles right-hander Freddy Garcia's formula for success lies in staying ahead of hitters and keeping them off balance by mixing speeds while locating his pitches. Without the blazing fastball that has faded by way of wear, the 14-year veteran must now pitch with finesse instead of flash. And when the 36-year-old Garcia's pitches start to gravitate up and toward the middle of the plate, it can lead to a short day. That was the case Wednesday afternoon, when Garcia failed to get out of the fourth inning against the San Diego Padres - the team that cut him late in spring training - sending the Orioles on the path to an 8-4 interleague loss in front of an announced of 32,418 at Camden Yards.