Orioles option three players and reassign five

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

March 11, 2012, 2:30pm

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SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles made their first round of cuts today, reducing their camp roster by eight players and leaving them with 49. The Orioles optioned infielders Ryan Adams and Josh Bell to Triple-A Norfolk, and pitcher Dylan Bundy to Single-A Delmarva. Also, outfielders Xavier Avery and LJ Hoes, catchers Michael Ohlman and Brian Ward, and pitcher Steve Johnson were reassigned to minor league camp because they're not on the 40-man roster. You're optioned if you're on the 40-man, reassigned if you're not. Ohlman injured his right shoulder when his vehicle rolled after a driver cut him off. I suggested earlier today that you might react to one name by saying, "Wow, already?" That would be Bell, one of the last players to report and one of the first to be cut. Then again, I thought Adams might stick around longer, but Steve Tolleson, Matt Antonelli and Rule 5 pick Ryan Flaherty are engaged in a heated battle for the utility job. Adams never seemed to figure into the mix. Manny Machado isn't included on the list of players reassigned because he wasn't on the camp roster, but he's also headed back to Twin Lakes Park.