by Sports Xchange

--OF Jeff Fiorentino could be leaving the Orioles organization for the second time. The club's 2004 third-round pick refused his outright assignment to Class AAA Norfolk and became a free agent. He spent most of 2009 at Norfolk and was buried in a deep outfield pool in the organization.

--LHP Rich Hill is unlikely to return for a second season in Baltimore after refusing an outright assignment to Class AAA Norfolk. Hill, who was shut down in July with shoulder inflammation, was removed from the 40-man roster because he was due for arbitration, the Baltimore Sun reported. He could re-sign.

--RHP Alfredo Simon accepted his outright assignment to Class AAA Norfolk and could factor into the Orioles' plans in the future. Simon opened 2009 in the Orioles rotation but was shut down after his second start. He required ligament transplant surgery in his pitching elbow and could be ready to throw again early in 2010.

--RHP Dennis Sarfate was showing promise in the Mexican Pacific League, where he was leading the competition with seven saves. Sarfate, who missed most of 2009 with a circulatory condition in his right arm, will be under stiff competition for a big-league roster spot in spring training.

--1B Brandon Snyder, the club's first-round pick in 2005, was batting .365 with three homers and 16 RBIs through 13 games in the Arizona Fall League. With a strong performance in the Grapefruit League, Snyder could become the club's regular first baseman from his debut.

BY THE NUMBERS: 33 -- Players on the Orioles' 40-man roster once OF Adam Jones, RHP Koji Uehara and RHP Brad Bergesen return from the 60-day disabled list

QUOTE TO NOTE: "If Rich has interest in returning to the organization, we would welcome him back in 2010." -- Orioles director of baseball operations Matt Klentak, to the Baltimore Sun, on free agent LHP Rich Hill's refusal of a minor league assignment.