While the Nationals continue holding camp in Viera, Fla., a few players made themselves known on the big stage, participating in the World Baseball Classic.
Pitchers Ross Detwiler and Gio Gonzalez pitched four and five scoreless innings, respectively, for Team USA, both of which led to victories.
On Wednesday, fellow hurler Stephen Strasburg was officially named the Nats' opening day starter.
While Strasburg is a lock, the catcher's position is looking more open, with Wilson Ramos ahead of...
This week, with a little more downtime in my schedule, I've been able to dig into "From 33rd Street to Camden Yards," a book by John Eisenberg. Using quotes of Orioles, from Boog Powell to Earl Weaver, Eisenberg has taught me Orioles history through first-hand accounts. While I have yet to finish the book, I have been reminded of the rich history of Baltimore baseball while simultaneously watching current Orioles in the World Baseball Classic and spring training this week.
Talk about...
The Orioles will host "Go Green" Day, presented by Waste Pro, for their St. Patrick's Day game this Sunday, March 17 at 1:05 p.m. against the Minnesota Twins. The Orioles will wear green cartoon bird caps for the game, after which they will be autographed and auctioned online at www.orioles.com/spring, with proceeds to benefit the Mote Marine Laboratory Animal Hospitals. The Sarasota-based hospitals treat animals that have been harmed due to damage to the environment. The Mote Marine...
The Orioles today announced that they have reassigned catcher Jose Gil and infielder Niuman Romero to minor league camp.
With these assignments, the Orioles now have 51 players at major league spring training, including 14 non-roster invitees.
With the start of the season fast approaching, the Orioles will host the return of Tag Day on Saturday, March 23, from 9:00 a.m. - noon at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
Tag Day gives fans interested in purchasing either a full or partial Season Plan for the 2013 season the opportunity to "try out" their seats before they buy. Available seats will be tagged with pennants, and Orioles sales representatives will be stationed in each section to discuss season plan options and answer questions.
...
The Orioles today announced that they have optioned right-hander Zach Clark, left-hander Mike Belfiore and outfielder Xavier Avery to Triple-A Norfolk.
With these assignments, the Orioles now have 53 players at major league spring training, including 16 non-roster invitees.
While the Nationals won three of their last five games, one of the most interesting parts of last week came in a loss.
The loss came to the Phillies by a final score of 6-3 on Wednesday. After Stephen Strasburg plunked Chase Utley's ankle, Roy Halladay threw behind Tyler Moore. As Wednesday's game was the sole spring training meeting between the two teams, only the regular season will tell if there will be any carryover between the NL East teams.
On both Tuesday and Thursday, the Nats...
With players battling it out for a spot on the roster, the Orioles have posted huge offensive numbers this week. Since last Friday, the Birds have won four games and lost just one, with one game versus the Blue Jays ending in a tie.
Over those six games, the Orioles have posted 55 runs. Is that a lot? On the flipside, opponents posted 35.
On Friday, Brian Roberts got the offense going versus the Pirates, going 3-for-3 with a home run.
Yesterday's win seemed like a win ripped out of the...
The Orioles today announced that they have reassigned right-hander Mike Wright, left-handers Zach Braddock and Eduardo Rodriguez, and catchers Allan de San Miguel and Luis Martinez to minor league camp.
With these reassignments, the Orioles now have 56 players at major league spring training, including 16 non-roster invitees.
The Washington Nationals today optioned left-handed pitcher Matt Purke to Hagerstown of the Single-A South Atlantic League. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.
The Nationals currently have 49 players in their big league camp.
Starting off spring training games this week, the Nats got their first taste of the National League East with games versus the Marlins, Mets and Braves that ended in a win, three losses and two ties.
On Sunday, the Nats announced that Christian Garcia would miss the next 10-14 days with a wrist/forearm strain. While the decision to rest the righty is conservative, the Nats are looking to give him the time he needs. Also close to a return is catcher Wilson Ramos, who is rehabbing from last...
A week into spring training games, the Orioles have suffered just a single loss, which came to the Twins yesterday. Sitting on a 5-1 record, the Orioles are leading the Grapefruit League after beating the Twins, Red Sox and Blue Jays once and the Yankees twice.
On Wednesday, Cuban defector Henry Urrutia arrived in Florida from Haiti after obtaining his work visa. He is set to report to camp by the weekend.
Pitcher Tsuyoshi Wada is continuing his rehab, throwing 25 pitches off a regular mound...
As part of their Sarasota 365 commitment to the community, the Orioles and OriolesREACH will conduct three clinics for area youth on the main field at Ed Smith Stadium over the coming weeks. Two are for pre-selected children from local Boys and Girls Clubs and the third, on April 13, is open to Sarasota County youth ages 8-14. All participants will receive instruction in baseball fundamentals from Orioles players, coaches and staff members.
The first clinic will be held this Saturday, March 2...
Talented Washington Nationals fans who are interested in performing the national anthem throughout the 2013 season are invited to submit their applications beginning today. The first 50 anthem hopefuls to submit their resume (performance or otherwise) and a recent photo to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. will be invited to audition live at Nationals Park on Saturday, March 9.
Anthem performers must meet the following prerequisites:
* The anthem should take no longer than 90 seconds to sing
* The...
The Orioles' first Grapefruit League game is just a day away. MASN will keeping you updated on all things spring training, so be sure to give Roch Kubatko a follow on Twitter and us a follow on Instagram.
There was much news around the Sarasota, Fla., facility this week, including Jair Jurrjen's agreement to a minor league deal and the contract extension of reliever Darren O'Day.
Former center fielder Brady Anderson was promoted to vice president of baseball operations Tuesday.
Pitcher...
We're just a day away from the Nationals' Grapefruit League opener. Stephen Strasburg will take the mound for the game, and MASN will keep you updated with the latest news and pictures from spring training.
For up-to-the-minute updates, be sure to follow Dan Kolko on Twitter and our Nats account on Instagram.
There's been much news to report during the second week of spring training, including some interesting storylines out of Viera, Fla.
According to a recent report by ESPN's "Outside...
The Orioles today announced the following promotions to their baseball operations staff:
Brady Anderson, previously the team's Special Assistant to the Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations, is now the club's Vice President of Baseball Operations.
Ned Rice, previously Assistant Director of Major League Operations, is now Director of Major League Administration.
Mike Snyder, formerly Assistant Director of Scouting and Player Development, is now Assistant Director of Player...
The Orioles today announced that they have agreed to terms with right-hander Darren O'Day on a two-year contract with a club option for 2015, thus avoiding arbitration.
O'Day, 30, went 7-1 with a 2.28 ERA (67.0IP, 17ER), setting career-highs in wins (7 - 2nd among AL relievers), games (69), IP (67.0) and strikeouts (69) in 2012. It was his first season with the O's after being claimed on waivers from Texas on November 2, 2011. He is 15-6 with a 2.73 ERA (247.2IP, 75ER) in 255 career games...
Spring training is here, and baseball is back!
MASNsports.com's Dan Kolko is in Viera, Fla., keeping you posted with the latest news surrounding the Nationals. Keep checking his blog, and, for minute-by-minute updates, give him a follow on Twitter.
Pitcher Gio Gonzalez spoke to reporters Tuesday, addressing the offseason news that linked him to the Miami-area Biogenesis clinic. The hurler announced that he felt he would be cleared, and he also spent time talking about his decision to play...
Baseball's back.
Spring training officially started Tuesday with pitchers and catchers reporting to Sarasota. With almost all players reported to camp, both coaches and the media have started to get their first looks at the roster.
Nolan Reimold is healthy and working on regaining full strength. The outfielder is coming off last year's neck injury and surgery, which ended his season.
Also, Nick Markakis is back from thumb surgery and pitcher Tsuyoshi Wada is long-tossing. His first bullpen...