WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – There’s another game to play this afternoon. After the Nationals' and Rays’ big leaguers met in an official Grapefruit League contest, the Nats' and Mets’ top prospects now meet in this year’s Spring Breakout game. (OK, the Nationals already played a breakout game Friday against the Astros, but I was with the major league cl

SARASOTA, Fla. – Jorge Mateo felt great physically. He was better emotionally. Mateo finally made it back into the lineup this afternoon after undergoing reconstructive-elbow surgery on Aug. 29. A meaningless exhibition game was ultra-important to him. He needed it. “It was amazing,” he said. “I was so excited. Just to be there on the field with my

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Shinnosuke Ogasawara will get one last shot to face major league hitters in a spring training before the Nationals make a final decision on the identity of their No. 5 starter to begin the season. Ogasawara, who has struggled to date in his first camp since signing with the Nats from Japan, was moved to a back field to start

SARASOTA, Fla. – The long wait is over for Jorge Mateo. He gets to appear in his first game today since injuring his left elbow on July 23 and undergoing reconstructive surgery a month later. The Orioles haven’t sounded as optimistic as Mateo about his availability for Opening Day. Today’s start at shortstop could be an indication that he remains i

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – It’s going to be a long day at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches, where the Nationals play twice. Later this afternoon (5:05 p.m., to be precise), the organization’s top prospects take on the Mets’ top prospects in the Spring Breakout game (televised live on MASN). But first up, it’s the regular Grapefruit League game of the da

SARASOTA, Fla. – Jorge Mateo is making his spring debut this afternoon by starting at shortstop against the Phillies in a split-squad game at Ed Smith Stadium. Mateo has recovered from late-August reconstructive surgery on his left elbow. He’s engaged in full baseball activities and waited for clearance to play. Today, it happens. Gunnar Henderson

SARASOTA, Fla. – Enrique Bradfield Jr. joined in the raucous celebration last night after Leandro Arias’ walk-off single in the Spring Breakout game. He embraced teammates as the crowd erupted in a way normally sparked by major league comebacks, and he was one of the last Orioles prospects to leave the field. He was euphoric and destroyed. Overcome

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Sure, a dominant performance would’ve been nicer and may have firmly locked up the fifth starter’s job for Mitchell Parker. But in some ways, the outing Parker did actually produce tonight might have been more valuable for the Nationals left-hander, who still made his case for the last spot in the Opening Day rotation thanks

SARASOTA, Fla. – He’s listed at 5 feet 8 and his 19th birthday is three months away. The Orioles promoted him from the Dominican Summer League to the Class A level last season. Height and age didn’t factor into how they treated him. Results and a 70-grade fastball got Venezuelan right-hander Keeler Morfe moving faster than expected. Morfe has grown

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Andrés Chaparro will open the season on the injured list after an MRI today revealed a left oblique strain for the Nationals first baseman/designated hitter. Chaparro was taking batting practice Friday prior to the Nats’ game against the Braves in North Port when he felt a “jab” in his side on one swing. He immediately