Friday Orioles news roundup: Tie game, Casilla's knee, Lough's neck, and more

A man who may have been wise once said that a tie is like kissing your sister. The Orioles went in for some sister-kissing on Friday, ending their spring training game against the Twins in a 2-2 tie. The O's carried a 2-1 lead into the ninth inning, but Troy Patton allowed a home run to former Orioles farmhand Brandon Waring. The teams decided not to keep playing.

Henry Urrutia hitting a home run to the opposite field was one of the game's highlights. He also had a fly ball hit him in the head. Nothing's perfect. Urrutia had a two-hit day, as did Jonathan Schoop and Steve Clevenger. Schoop and Clevenger have each been having an impressive spring. Some scout even told Ken Rosenthal yesterday that he thinks Schoop is the front-runner to be the Orioles Opening Day second baseman.

One of the few things that matters about spring training is who gets hurt. All the results are wiped clean when the Grapefruit League ends. Injuries are not erased. Both Alexi Casilla and David Lough were late scratches from the lineup and did not appear in the game.

Lough seeing doc today about stiff neck. May undergo concussion test. Bothering him last few days

— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) March 14, 2014

Concussions are scary things, as we know from watching Brian Roberts not too long ago. They are hopeful that the concussion test is just precautionary to rule out that as the cause of his neck problems. They wouldn't do it if there was no chance at all.

If nothing else, a few days with Lough out will mean that the assorted players competing for an outfield spot will get more of a chance to showcase themselves.

Casilla's injury was reported to be a hyperextended left knee that occurred when he was hit while turning a double play. The season will be in a dark place if the Orioles find themselves missing Casilla's presence at any point this season. Still, he figures to be the backup shortstop/second baseman as things currently stand, so his absence does create some hole in the team that probably wasn't there before.

There's not currently any indication how long either player will be out.

Over the last several days, the O's have been paring down their spring roster, optioning and reassigning assorted players to minor league camp. Friday's lone cut was optioning Dylan Bundy to Double-A Bowie. Since Bundy is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, this isn't much of a significant move in that we knew there was no way he'd be on the Opening Day roster. He's not even throwing off a mound yet.

There are 46 players left in the big league camp, nine of which are non-roster invitees.