A few thoughts on the Nationals and the WBC

A few thoughts on the Nationals and the WBC
Coming off of minor offseason elbow surgery, Luis Ayala was a key member of the Nationals bullpen heading into the 2006 season. He had gone 8-7 with a 2.66 ERA and a save in 68 appearances in the team's first season in D.C. since relocating from Montreal and had cemented himself in an important setup role in front of closer Chad Cordero. The Nationals wanted Ayala to spend all of spring training with them in Viera, Fla., gradually building up strength in his elbow under the watchful eyes of...

Pregame notes and Astros lineup

Pregame notes and Astros lineup
HOUSTON - Orioles center fielder Adam Jones is playing in his 1,000th career game today. He's appeared in 926 with the Orioles and 73 with the Mariners. Jones' 926 games are good for 19th on the club's all-time list. Cal Ripken Jr. is first with 3,001. Caleb Joseph's two-out walk in the eighth inning last night was the first for the Orioles since they drew three straight in the fourth inning Wednesday night against the Brewers' Yovani Gallardo. The Orioles went 21 innings and 83 plate...

A few words from Showalter

A few words from Showalter
HOUSTON - Orioles manager Buck Showalter was satisfied with catcher Matt Wieters' brief throwing session earlier today. For the first day, the Orioles just wanted to make sure that Wieters could complete all 25 throws without experiencing pain in his right elbow. "Trying to decide what is discomfort like he was feeling or just some crankiness from inactivity," Showalter said. "First time out, everybody who throws after that much time off, it's not going to be perfect. I know the area...

Notes on Gonzalez, Tillman, Norris, Urrutia, Bundy and more

Notes on Gonzalez, Tillman, Norris, Urrutia, Bundy and more
Miguel Gonzalez will move into the bullpen and back up starter Kevin Gausman on Wednesday afternoon at Camden Yards. Gonzalez's relief role is a temporary move, according to manager Buck Showalter, who confirmed that left-hander Wei-Yin Chen will start Thursday night's series opener in Kansas City. Chris Tillman has been bothered with some discomfort in his groin, but he's expected to be fine. The Orioles will re-evaluate him after his bullpen session. The uncertainty surrounding Tillman is...

Duquette on Ayala and Wallace signings

Duquette on Ayala and Wallace signings
SARASOTA, Fla. - Veteran reliever Luis Ayala threw a bullpen session today at Twin Lakes Park, and corner infielder Brett Wallace will be cleared to work out there Monday morning. The Orioles announced today that they signed Ayala and Wallace to minor league deals. Ayala, 36, struggled mightily with the Nats this spring. In six innings, he allowed nine runs and 10 hits and posted a 2.00 WHIP. But he was 5-5 with a 2.64 ERA in 66 games for the Orioles in 2012 and 1-1 with a 2.90 ERA in 37...

Showalter on Machado, Tillman and Santana

Showalter on Machado, Tillman and Santana
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter indicated that third baseman Manny Machado could run on Sunday to test his left knee and calf. Machado had been shut down because of scar tissue breaking up in the knee and a mild strain in his calf muscle. "He was telling me the two days really did the calf well," Showalter said. "I would bet he'd probably test that tomorrow." An assignment to the disabled list can be backdated to today if Machado doesn't play in a Grapefruit...

Notes on Machado, Ayala, Bundy, Tillman and more (game update)

Notes on Machado, Ayala, Bundy, Tillman and more (game update)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Third baseman Manny Machado flew back into Sarasota late last night and has been excused from camp this morning. Machado no longer has any physical restrictions after Dr. Neal ElAttrache re-examined his left knee yesterday in Los Angeles. However, the Orioles still haven't provided a firm date for his spring debut. "I have to talk to the ESPN people to find out what the next step is," manager Buck Showalter quipped. Reliever Luis Ayala is taking the rest of his physical...

Because You Asked - Passion of the Crust

Because You Asked - Passion of the Crust
SARASOTA, Fla. - It's the Florida edition of our popular mailbag sequel, which means it's tanned, doesn't drain after a heavy rain and thinks the fast lane is only for cars going 25 mph or 125 mph. It also writes checks at the grocery store and becomes confused during elections. You've got questions. I've got answers. You've got the same questions. I've got the same sarcasm. Here we go. Do you think Michael Almanzar can make the club? It's going to be tricky unless the Orioles can...

Orioles nearing agreement with Ayala (agreement in place)

Orioles nearing agreement with Ayala (agreement in place)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette continues to keep close watch on the waiver wire, and he's on the verge of signing a reliever discarded yesterday by the Nationals. The Orioles are nearing an agreement with veteran right-hander Luis Ayala, according to sources. An announcement could come later today, after final details are worked out. I'm just confirming multiple reports here. Was worth a check. FOXSports.com first reported that the Orioles made an offer to...

Nats fielding a possible opening day lineup tonight live on MASN (with notes)

Nats fielding a possible opening day lineup tonight live on MASN (with notes)
VIERA, Fla. - Those of you who will be watching tonight's Nationals-Astros game on MASN (airing live at 6 p.m.) will get a treat. Manager Matt Williams is running out a lineup loaded with regulars. In fact, Williams said that his lineup tonight could end up being "close" to the starting lineup that he runs out on opening day less than two weeks from now. Things could and will certainly change based on lefty/righty pitching matchups and even the team that the Nats are playing, Williams...

Nats grant Luis Ayala his unconditional release

Nats grant Luis Ayala his unconditional release
VIERA, Fla. - Veteran reliever Luis Ayala asked for and was granted his unconditional release by the Nationals today, this after the team informed him that he was being cut. Ayala plans to try and land a big league job with another organization. The 36-year-old right-hander signed a minor league deal with the Nationals on February 7, in hopes of winning a spot in the Nats' opening day bullpen. Ayala made six spring appearances with the Nats and was shelled in two of them, although one of...

Williams on Jordan and Ayala after 12-6 loss

Williams on Jordan and Ayala after 12-6 loss
LAKELAND, Fla. - Starting pitcher Taylor Jordan struggled with his command and said he wasn't helped by an umpire's strike zone that forced him to elevate pitches. The result was three-inning outing and four runs allowed, not exactly the kind of production a guy challenging for the final spot in the Nationals rotation can hang his hat on. Reliever Luis Ayala looked like he was throwing batting practice, as the Tigers hung five runs on him in 2/3 of an inning, inflating his spring ERA after...

Ayala roughed up, hearing from Jordan (Nats lose 12-6)

Ayala roughed up, hearing from Jordan (Nats lose 12-6)
NATIONALS QUICK WRAP Score: Tigers 12, Nationals 6 Recap: Detroit scored four runs in the third inning off starter Taylor Jordan and came back with five more in the fourth against reliever Luis Ayala, who got only two outs. Tyler Moore and Scott Hairston homered for the Nats. Need to know: Today's contest is the first of three games between the Nats and Tigers in a four-day span, one of those little Grapefruit League scheduling quirks. A trip to Jupiter tomorrow never looked so good. ...

A large serving of leftovers

A large serving of leftovers
VIERA, Fla. - How often does a team go 11-for-23 with runners in scoring position, put up 25 hits, score 15 runs, benefit from five errors by the opposing team and lose a ballgame? Yeah, yesterday's game was a funky one regardless of whether the outcome actually meant anything or not. The Nationals were outhit 25-12 yesterday and allowed nine runs in a single inning, but still came away with their second victory of spring. The merry-go-round on the bases left a handful of pitchers with some...

A hodgepodge of morning notes and quotes

A hodgepodge of morning notes and quotes
VIERA, Fla. - As I start to get moving this morning on my first full day in Florida, I'd just like to wish everyone well back up north as you deal with this massive snowstorm that's coming through the mid-Atlantic region. Stay safe, everyone. Hopefully everyone's power remains on throughout the day, and I hope to have plenty of notes and updates from down here to keep you satiated on the baseball front. Today is the report date for all Nationals pitchers and catchers, but that doesn't...

Back with the Nats, Ayala ready to battle for a bullpen spot

Back with the Nats, Ayala ready to battle for a bullpen spot
VIERA, Fla. - Hello from the press box at Space Coast Stadium on a beautiful sunny, 79-degree day in Viera, Fla. I'm not rubbing it in, I swear. Just updating everyone on the current climate here on the east coast of Florida. (OK, I'm rubbing it in a little bit. Sorry about that.) The Nationals' spring facilities are very much the way I remember them from the last two seasons. Minor changes have been made here and there - for one, there's a new plaque with the Nationals logo and the words...

Nats sign Luis Ayala to minor league deal

Nats sign Luis Ayala to minor league deal
Remember that list of players that the Nationals will have as part of their spring training roster? We can add another name to it. The Nationals have signed right-handed reliever Luis Ayala to a minor league deal with an invitation to big league spring training, a source confirmed late this morning. Ayala, 36, spent the 2013 season with the Orioles and Braves, posting a 3.27 ERA in 39 games. He struck out 22 and walked 13 over 33 innings of work. This marks Ayala's second stint with the...

Pregame quotes from Showalter

Pregame quotes from Showalter
BOSTON - Orioles right-hander Steve Johnson is slated to pitch in an extended spring training game on Saturday in Sarasota, and left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada could join him. Johnson is expected to go three innings or throw 55 pitches, "somewhere in there," said manager Buck Showalter. Wada threw his second bullpen session yesterday and could go two innings on Saturday. Johnson is on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right lat. Wada underwent ligament-reconstructive surgery on his left...

Dickerson celebrates 31st birthday with promotion to majors

Dickerson celebrates 31st birthday with promotion to majors
BOSTON - Chris Dickerson has a No. 60 jersey hanging in his locker in the visiting clubhouse at Fenway Park. He'd rather lower the digit to something more baseball-like, but at least it's a major league uniform. Dickerson hopped on a 6 a.m. flight to Boston, his 31st birthday coinciding with his return to the Orioles, who selected his contract (though they still haven't announced it) from Triple-A Norfolk and traded reliever Luis Ayala to the Braves for minor league pitcher Chris...

Ayala traded to Braves (updated)

Ayala traded to Braves (updated)
BOSTON - The Orioles traded reliever Luis Ayala to the Atlanta Braves today for minor league left-hander Chris Jones, who will be assigned to Double-A Bowie. The deal allows the Orioles to keep Rule 5 pick T.J. McFarland in their bullpen and also gives manager Buck Showalter a fourth bench player with outfielder Chris Dickerson having his contracted selected from Triple-A Norfolk. Ayala was 6-5 with a 2.81 ERA in 68 games for the Orioles over the past two seasons. He allowed 44 percent of...