Orioles release 2016 spring training schedule

The Orioles will play their first spring training game next year where they ended their 2014 Grapefruit League schedule.

The Orioles will travel to Lake Buena Vista, Fla., on March 1 to play the Braves in a home-and-home series, with Atlanta making the trip to Sarasota the following day.

The schedule includes five road games within the first seven, including split-squad games in Fort Myers against the Twins and at home against the Rays.

Six of the last eight games will be held at Ed Smith Stadium, including the final three before the Orioles break camp. They're expected to play an exhibition against Triple-A Norfolk at Harbor Park before returning to Baltimore for a workout leading into their regular-season opener on April 4 against the Twins.

The last three Grapefruit League games are March 29 versus the Braves. March 30 versus the Blue Jays and March 31 versus the Braves. The first two will be played under the lights at Ed Smith Stadium, with the finale scheduled for 3:05 p.m.

The Orioles also have home night split-squad games March 5 against the Rays and March 17 against the Twins. The road portion of the schedule contains one trip to Lake Buena Vista to play the Braves, two to Port Charlotte to play the Rays, two to Dunedin to play the Blue Jays, three to Fort Myers to play the Twins, two to Fort Myers to play the Red Sox, two to Clearwater to play the Phillies, two to Tampa to play the Yankees and two to Bradenton - the shortest trek - to play the Pirates.

The Braves make three trips to Sarasota.

The one off day for the Orioles is slated for Monday, March 21, though there figures to be some sort of activity at the minor league complex at Twin Lakes Park. A couple of starters usually end up throwing that day on adjacent fields.

Pitchers and catchers report to Ed Smith Stadium on Feb. 18. Position players report on Feb. 23, with the first full-squad workout the following day.

Single game tickets for all 16 games at Ed Smith Stadium will go on sale Jan. 23. Fans interested in Season Plans or those wishing to receive additional spring training ticket information may call 941-893-6300. Fans interested in additional information on suite rentals or pre-game party facilities should call 941-893-6317.

Keep in mind that the following schedule is subject to change. Also, times for road games haven't been included.

* March 1 - at Lake Buena Vista vs. Braves
* March 2 - home vs. Braves, 1:05 p.m.
* March 3 - at Port Charlotte vs. Rays
* March 4 - at Dunedin vs. Blue Jays
* March 5 - (ss) at Fort Myers vs. Twins; (ss) home vs. Rays, 7:05 p.m.
* March 6 - at Fort Myers vs. Red Sox
* March 7 - home vs. Twins, 1:05 p.m.
* March 8 - home vs. Red Sox, 1:05 p.m.
* March 9 - at Clearwater vs. Phillies
* March 10 - home vs. Yankees, 1:05 p.m.
* March 11 - at Tampa vs. Yankees
* March 12 - vs. Twins at home, 1:05 p.m.
* March 13 - at Fort Myers vs. Twins
* March 14 - home vs. Phillies, 1:05 p.m.
* March 15 - at Dunedin vs. Blue Jays
* March 16 - home vs. Pirates, 1:05 p.m.
* March 17 - (ss) at Fort Myers vs. Red Sox; (ss) home vs. Twins, 7:05 p.m.
* March 18 - at Tampa vs. Yankees
* March 19 - at Port Charlotte vs. Rays
* March 20 - home vs. Rays, 1:05 p.m.
* March 21 - off-day
* March 22 - at Fort Myers vs. Twins
* March 23 - at Bradenton vs. Pirates
* March 24 - home vs. Bradenton, 1:05 p.m.
* March 25 - home vs. Yankees, 1:05 p.m.
* March 26 - home vs. Red Sox, 1:05 p.m.
* March 27 - at Bradenton vs. Pirates
* March 28 - at Clearwater vs. Phillies
* March 29 - home vs. Braves, 6:05 p.m.
* March 30 - home vs. Blue Jays, 6:05 p.m.
* March 31 - home vs. Braves, 3:05 p.m.