The Washington Nationals today optioned outfielder Justin Maxwell to Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Nationals Senior Vice President and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. The Nationals currently have 36 players in their big league camp.

March 29, 2010 (Washington, DC) - President of the United States Barack Obama will throw the ceremonial first pitch at Nationals Park in Washington D.C. prior to the 2010 season opener between the Washington Nationals and the defending National League Champion Philadelphia Phillies on Monday, April 5 at 1:05 p.m. "Opening Day of the baseball season is a special event for our country and its importance has been reinforced by the 100-year history of Presidential participation," said Baseball...

Today's 1:05 p.m. Nationals-Mets Grapefruit League contest at Space Coast Stadium in Viera, FL has been cancelled due to rain. Nationals Spring Training season-ticket holders can exchange March 29 tickets for account credit toward the 2011 Grapefruit League season at Space Coast Stadium. Note the 2011 Grapefruit League schedule has not yet been announced. Those requesting account credit for March 29 should submit a written request. All such requests should reference the refund option and...

Nick & Christina Markakis to Light Washington Monument for Holiday Season this Thursday Orioles right fielder NICK MARKAKIS and his wife CHRISTINA will participate in "A Monumental Occasion," the 38th annual lighting of the Washington Monument, this Thursday, December 3 in Baltimore's Mount Vernon neighborhood. Nick and Christina will flip the switch to illuminate the Monument, marking the start of the holiday season in the city. The event will also feature refreshments, roving...

The Orioles will open their first season at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota with a game against the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday, March 3, the first of 16 home games the club will play as part of their 2010 spring schedule. Next year will be the first time the club has trained in Sarasota since 1995. The team spent the last 14 seasons in Fort Lauderdale. Baltimore will face 10 different opponents at home during the '10 spring campaign. They will host the Boston Red Sox three times at Ed Smith...

The Orioles today announced that they have acquired RHP KEVIN MILLWOOD and an undisclosed amount of cash from the Texas Rangers in exchange for RHP CHRIS RAY and a player to be named later. Millwood, 34, was 13-10 with a 3.67 ERA (198.2IP, 81ER) in 31 starts for Texas in 2009. Millwood's 3.67 ERA in 2009 was eighth-best among American League pitchers. In 13 major league seasons, Millwood is 155-121 with a 4.02 ERA (2,314.1IP, 1,035ER) in 383 games (375 starts). Millwood has started at...

The Orioles today selected two minor league players in the Rule 5 Draft, including LHP BEN SNYDER from the San Francisco Giants organization in the Major League phase of the draft. Following the draft, the Orioles traded Snyder to the Texas Rangers to complete Wednesday's trade which sent RHP KEVIN MILLWOOD to Baltimore in exchange for RHP CHRIS RAY. With the trade, the Orioles have 39 players on their major league roster. In the Triple-A phase of the minor league draft, the Orioles selected...

The Orioles today announced that they have signed free agent LHP MIKE GONZALEZ to a two-year contract through the 2011 season. Gonzalez, 31, went 5-4 with 10 saves and a 2.42 ERA (74.1IP, 20ER) in 80 games for the Braves in 2009. Gonzalez held opponents to a .209 (56-268) batting average in 2009 and held left-handed batters to a .194 (19-98) average. His 80 appearances, 74.1 innings pitched and 90 strikeouts each set career-highs and the 90 strikeouts were seventh-most among major league...

The Orioles today announced that they have signed free agent INF GARRETT ATKINS to a one-year contract for 2010, with a club option for the 2011 season. Atkins, 30, is a career .298 hitter over seven major league seasons, all with Colorado. In 2006, Atkins set career highs with a .329 average, 48 doubles, 25 home runs and 120 RBI. He helped the Rockies to their first World Series appearance in 2007, where he homered in Game 4 of the Fall Classic. In 2009, Atkins batted .226 (80-354) with...

The Orioles today announced the coaching staffs for their eight minor league affiliates for the 2010 season. GARY ALLENSON is back for his fifth season in the organization and will manage Triple-A Norfolk for the fourth season after guiding the Tides to a 71-71 record in 2009. MIKE GRIFFIN, who pitched for the 1987 Orioles, will serve as pitching coach for the third consecutive season in the organization after his 2009 Double-A Bowie hurlers posted a 3.87 ERA. RICHIE HEBNER, an 18-year major...