Wynns on being cut: "It was definitely a shock" (game cancelled)

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles and Rays won't play baseball tonight at the Ed Smith Stadium complex.

The game has been cancelled due to rain and a tornado watch in the area. There's no makeup date in the Grapefruit League.

Rule 5 pick Nestor Cortes Jr. and Miguel Castro were supposed to pitch tonight, but instead will make the trip to Tampa for Wednesday night's game against the Yankees and work in relief behind starter Hunter Harvey.

Fans holding paid tickets for tonight's game purchased online at www.orioles.com, via phone at 877-222-2802 or directly from the box office may exchange for any of the three remaining home spring training games, subject to availability, or request a refund.

Season Plan Members and fans who purchased tickets through StubHub will automatically receive a refund through their original method of payment. Fans that purchased tickets through a third-party ticket vendor other than StubHub are advised to contact that vendor to obtain a refund.

The Orioles were able to hold their annual talent show this afternoon and it included catcher Austin Wynns, invited back after he was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday.

Wynns was vying for the backup job and his removal left Chance Sisco and Andrew Susac in a two-man competition.

"It was definitely a shock," Wynns said. "I was obviously upset. But you know what? The thing is, it's just part of it and it's just going to take a little longer and I'm just going to keep doing what I do and whatever's best for the team for now, so be it. And I'm just going to keep working.

"It's not going to make me stop working."

Wynns was 4-for-18 with two home runs, five walks and seven strikeouts in 14 games. He registered a .391 on-base percentage.

With so much value placed on defense, Wynns appeared to be inching ahead in the competition and liked his chances of making the opening day roster and his major league debut.

"Absolutely," he said. "And all of us have great shots - Susac and Sisco. And whoever it is, it's whatever's best for the team right now.

"Who knows what's going to happen this whole year? Right now, I'm not dwelling on it, I'm not stressed out. Right now, I'm just going to take it day by day and keep moving forward step by step and just go about my business the right way."

Manager Buck Showalter informed Wynns of his decision following Sunday's game and held the standard exit meeting. The encouraging words flowed.

"It was a great message," said Wynns, who was added to the 40-man roster prior to the Rule 5 draft. "It was like, just keep working and you'll be up here sooner than later. Right now, it's the time to keep working on your craft and get more at-bats and you'll come back without a doubt.

"It was very positive, nothing negative at all. So it was good."