Johnson's prescription for struggling Storen: more work

Johnson's prescription for struggling Storen: more work
VIERA, Fla. - Judging solely by the numbers, last night was another forgettable outing for right-hander Drew Storen. Storen pitched one inning in a 4-2 loss to the Astros, blowing a save opportunity, absorbing the loss and watching his spring ERA balloon to 6.43 after seven outings. Rough springs are nothing new for Storen. Last year, he was limited to two appearances before surgery to remove a small bone fragment from his right elbow, a procedure that cost him half a season. Two years ago,...
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Stretch work clicks for Strasburg on 93-pitch night

Stretch work clicks for Strasburg on 93-pitch night
VIERA, Fla. - Stephen Strasburg is itching to get the season started. His internal clock, if not his pitch count Saturday night against the Astros, tells him the season should be starting soon, not be more than two weeks away. So what did he take out of tonight's effort, in which he went deeper into a game than any other Nationals starting pitcher this spring, and recorded eight strikeouts, the most by any Washington hurler in Grapefruit League play? The 93 pitches he threw, 64 of them for...
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One chance, some jitters and a step forward for Zimmerman

One chance, some jitters and a step forward for Zimmerman
VIERA, Fla. - Ryan Zimmerman's surgically repaired right shoulder felt so good in recent days that he talked Nationals manager Davey Johnson into pushing up his spring debut at third base by a couple of days. Instead of playing defense for the first time in Grapefruit League play Monday against the Tigers, Zimmerman did so Saturday night versus the Astros. He needed to make only one play, and handled that chance with relative ease, but it was enough to wipe away a few jitters that accompanied...
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Not much action for Zimmerman (Nats lose 4-2)

Not much action for Zimmerman (Nats lose 4-2)
VIERA, Fla. - Ryan Zimmerman's spring debut at third base lasted four innings. He's out of the game, replaced by Chad Tracy at the hot corner for the top of the fifth. Zimmerman handled his only chance with no problems, but it's not like Carlos Corporan's slow roller leading off the second was particularly challenging. Zimmerman charged the bouncer, scooped it and threw across his body fluidly to get the Astros catcher by a couple of steps. We would have gotten a better sense of how...
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Strasburg strong, fans six through three innings (Astros take 1-0 lead)

Strasburg strong, fans six through three innings (Astros take 1-0 lead)
VIERA, Fla. - Stephen Strasburg is humming along in his fifth start of the spring. He's fanned six in three innings and has thrown 52 pitches (40 strikes) through three frames. He's expected to throw about 75 pitches tonight against the Astros. Houston got two quick singles off the Nationals' opening day starter in the first inning - a leadoff line drive by Trevor Crowe and a windblown pop to left that Bryce Harper lost in the sun that was ruled a single. Since then, the Astros are...
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Detwiler returns, will start Sunday in Lakeland (plus pitching notes)

Detwiler returns, will start Sunday in Lakeland (plus pitching notes)
VIERA, Fla. - The only thing disappointing about Ross Detwiler's experience in the World Baseball Classic was the way it ended. Less than 24 hours after Team USA was eliminated by Puerto Rico, the left-hander returned to the Nationals. Detwiler, who didn't pitch in the Americans' losses to the Domincan Republic and Puerto Rico, will jump right into the fray and start Sunday against the Tigers in Lakeland. Detwiler relished the opportunity to represent his county and get some hands-on...
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Zimmerman making first start at third base

Zimmerman making first start at third base
VIERA, Fla. - At the risk of sounding like one of those kitschy postcards, greetings from Space Coast Stadium. While Dan Kolko takes some well-deserved time off over the next week, I'll be carrying you through all the important Nationals news. Check back on MASNsports.com frequently and give me a follow at @masnPete on Twitter. First things first: The lineup for tonight's 6:05 p.m. game against the Astros - which will be broadcast on MASN HD, so make sure to tune in to Bob Carpenter and F.P....
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Perez, Karns, Leon and Rendon among Nats' cuts from spring camp

Perez, Karns, Leon and Rendon among Nats' cuts from spring camp
The Washington Nationals today optioned outfielder Eury Perez to Syracuse of the Triple-A International League and right-handed pitcher Nathan Karns, catcher Sandy Leon and infielder Anthony Rendon to Harrisburg of the Double-A Eastern League. Additionally, the Nationals re-assigned left-handed pitcher Pat McCoy and infielders Will Rhymes and Matt Skole to minor league camp. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements. The...
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Orioles, OriolesREACH to host third annual food drive at Ed Smith Stadium on Friday

Orioles, OriolesREACH to host third annual food drive at Ed Smith Stadium on Friday
The Orioles and OriolesREACH, along with All Faiths Food Bank and media partner the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, will host the third annual Food Drive at Ed Smith Stadium this Friday, March 15. Fans attending the 1:05 p.m. game against the Boston Red Sox are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items with them for donation to the All Faiths Food Bank. In addition to food items, the Orioles will also collect monetary donations at ballpark entry gates. All Faiths Food Bank gathers and, in...
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Orioles name Nelson Norman Director of Baseball Operations for Dominican Republic

Orioles name Nelson Norman Director of Baseball Operations for Dominican Republic
The Orioles today announced that they have named Nelson Norman as Director of Baseball Operations for the Dominican Republic. In his new role Norman will oversee all aspects of the club's activities in the Dominican Republic, including their Academy operations as well as their Dominican Summer League team. A former major league infielder born in San Pedro de Macoris, Norman, 54, has over two decades of experience in player development with Montreal, Atlanta, Boston, Minnesota, St. Louis and...
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Orioles agree on one-year contracts with 17 players

Orioles agree on one-year contracts with 17 players
The Orioles today announced that they have agreed to terms with 17 players on one-year contracts, completing agreements with all players on the 40-man roster. Today's agreements included right-handers Jake Arrieta, Zach Clark, Miguel Gonzalez, Steve Johnson, Pedro Strop and Chris Tillman; left-handers Mike Belfiore, Zach Britton and T.J. McFarland; catcher Luis Exposito; infielders Ryan Flaherty, Manny Machado, Yamaico Navarro, Jonathan Schoop and Danny Valencia; and outfielders Xavier Avery...
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Orioles to hold tryouts for ballboys and ballgirls on Saturday

Orioles to hold tryouts for ballboys and ballgirls on Saturday
The Orioles will conduct an open tryout to find ballgirls and ballboys for the 2013 season at Oriole Park at Camden Yards at noon this Saturday, March 9.The judges will include members of the Orioles' front office, MASN broadcaster Jim Hunter and former Orioles catcher Chris Hoiles, as well as Reagan Warfield of MIX 106.5 and Greg Carpenter of LITE 101.9. Outgoing and athletic men and women ages 18 and older who are interested in serving as ballboys and ballgirls for the Orioles during the...
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Orioles to host public celebration of life for Earl Weaver on April 20

Orioles to host public celebration of life for Earl Weaver on April 20
The Orioles will host a public celebration of life for legendary manager Earl Weaver at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Saturday, April 20 at 2:00 p.m. The program, "A Celebration of Earl," will include a video tribute and a collection of notable guest speakers to honor the memory of the greatest manager in Orioles history. Guest speakers include Brooks Robinson, Frank Robinson, Rick Dempsey, Buck Showalter, National Baseball Hall of Fame President Jeff Idelson and Earl's son, Mike Weaver....
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Nationals trim spring camp roster to 50

Nationals trim spring camp roster to 50
Following today's game, the Washington Nationals re-assigned left-handed pitchers Bill Bray, Brandon Mann and Will Ohman and right-handed pitcher Tanner Roark to minor-league camp. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. The Nationals currently have 50 players in their big league camp.
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Cal Ripken Jr. to throw out first pitch, sign new book March 7 in Sarasota

Cal Ripken Jr. to throw out first pitch, sign new book March 7 in Sarasota
The Orioles today announced that Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. will visit Ed Smith Stadium on March 7 for the Orioles game against the Toronto Blue Jays, where he will throw out the ceremonial first pitch and sign copies of his new children's book, Wild Pitch, on the lower concourse from 2-4 p.m. The visit is part of a national book tour for Wild Pitch, the third installment in the New York Times best-selling "Cal Ripken Jr.'s All-Stars" series. Tickets for the Orioles-Blue Jays game are...
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Orioles name David Rovine VP of Sarasota affairs

Orioles name David Rovine VP of Sarasota affairs
The Orioles today announced the addition of David Rovine as Vice President of Orioles-Sarasota to oversee the club's Sarasota business affairs and community development. In his new role, Rovine will represent the Orioles in the Sarasota County community, furthering the club's presence through OriolesREACH and its many community programs and establishing and cultivating club partnerships with business, civic, charitable and non-profit organizations throughout the Greater Sarasota County and...
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Nationals seeking anthem performers for 2013 season

Nationals seeking anthem performers for 2013 season
Oh, say, do you think you can sing the national anthem before a game at Nationals Park? If so, warm up your vocal chords. The Nationals would like to hear - and hear from - you. Beginning today, the first 50 people who submit their resume (performance or otherwise) to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. will be invited to auditions at the ballpark on Saturday, March 9. Anthem performers must meet the following prerequisites: * The anthem should take no longer than 90 seconds to sing. * The anthem must be...
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Maryland Stadium Authority bans smoking at Camden Yards Sports Complex

Maryland Stadium Authority bans smoking at Camden Yards Sports Complex
Smoking will no longer be allowed at Camden Yards, as the Maryland Stadium Authority will enact a ban on all lighted tobacco products at its baseball and football stadiums, effective March 4. The measure, announced in a Feb. 25 press release, prohibits the "the burning of a lighted cigarette, cigar, pipe, or any other matter or substance that contains tobacco" within the Camden Yards Sports Complex, including M&T Bank Stadium. The ban includes spaces covered or uncovered, walled or exposed,...
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Orioles announce 2013 spring training opening day plans

Orioles announce 2013 spring training opening day plans
The Orioles have announced plans for the first game of their 2013 spring training season and their fourth season in Sarasota. The team will face the Minnesota Twins at Ed Smith Stadium tomorrow, Saturday, February 23, at 1:05 p.m. Tomorrow and throughout the season, ballpark gates will open two hours prior to the scheduled first pitch. All fans attending tomorrow's opener will receive a 2013 spring training magnet schedule presented by the Sarasota Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the first...
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Sleeve patch on O's uniforms in 2013 will honor legendary manager Weaver

Sleeve patch on O's uniforms in 2013 will honor legendary manager Weaver
The Orioles announced this afternoon that they will wear a patch honoring former manager Earl Weaver on their jersey sleeve during the 2013 season. Weaver, the fiery skipper known for managing the Orioles' pennant-winning teams of the late 1960s and early 1970s, died Jan. 19 at 82 on an Orioles fan cruise in the Caribbean. His passing turned FanFest at the Convention Center into a public wake, and O's fans placed memorials from an orange lei to a can of National Bohemian to an Orioles cap at...
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