After Ryan Mountcastle was hit by a pitch on his right hand in Wednesday's game against the Pirates, X-rays came back negative.

SARASOTA, Fla. — The moment Ryan Mountcastle was hit on his right hand Wednesday, it was clear he would be coming out of the game. Because it was the eighth inning of a spring training game, Mountcastle was removed immediately before the Orioles’ athletic trainer could even examine his hand that was hit by a pitch.

Two weeks remain until the Orioles head north from Sarasota. At least for the next few days, nicer weather up in Birdland makes it feel like spring here rather than a lingering winter. That’s nice. Also nice is that today’s game will be aired on MASN and on the Orioles flagship radio stations in Baltimore.

Orioles top prospect Samuel Basallo suffered a worrying injury scare on Thursday, having to leaving Baltimore's spring training game.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — To help his players on defense, Craig Albernaz is using football terminology. “We want our guys to have — we’ve talked about it — a defensive back mindset,” the Orioles manager said.