Maybe this hasn’t been the most exciting offseason for Nationals fans who hoped their team would return to making the kind of free agent splashes they used to make when they were annual contenders. But here’s some news that should make even the most disgruntled of fans smile: Pitchers and catchers report in eight days.

Yes, we’ve reached the home stretch of the winter. Spring training officially begins Feb. 12, at which point whatever roster the Nats have assembled will begin to prepare for the 2025 season. (Don’t be surprised if that roster changes over the course of six weeks in Florida, given how many holes still remain and how many free agents are still unsigned.)

This will be the Nationals’ 21st spring training all-time, and wow how mindboggling is that sentence. And it will be their ninth spring training in West Palm Beach, their home away from home since 2017 after a long stay in lonely Viera.

There are things about West Palm Beach that are better than Viera: The facility, the proximity to other teams, an airport that’s only 15 minutes away, lots of stuff to do in your free time. And, frankly, there are a few things that are worse than old Space Coast Stadium: More that separates you from the players, higher prices. But overall, it’s still a great experience, as most anyone who has been there will tell you.

If you haven’t been before – or if you haven’t been in a while – consider this your official fan’s guide to Nats spring training. We’ll break it into two parts. Tomorrow, we’ll focus on West Palm Beach and the surrounding area. Today, we’ll talk about the complex and what you can expect from a baseball standpoint.

The primary focus during spring training, as it usually is, will be on the big names in Nationals camp. How do James Wood and Dylan Crews look as they prepare for the second go-around in the big leagues? How do newcomers Nathaniel Lowe, Josh Bell, Michael Soroka and Shinnosuke Ogasawara fit in and (ideally) make the team better? How will CJ Abrams address last September’s disciplinary demotion and how he intends to move forward?

But spring training is about everyone in camp, not just the big names. And sometimes, a lesser-known name makes himself known over the course of six weeks in West Palm Beach. There’s always someone who wasn’t expected to make the Opening Day roster stepping up to force the front office’s hand. And even if he doesn’t make the team right away, often an impressive spring lays the groundwork for a promotion sometime during the season.

So, while we wait to see if (hopefully when) the Nats make any more moves before camp opens next week, let’s take a look at some lesser-known names who could become more well-known this spring …

ANDREW KNIZNER
The catching position has loomed all winter as one of the more intriguing ones on the roster. Can Keibert Ruiz get himself back on track after a miserable 2024? And which of the two holdover backup candidates (Riley Adams, Drew Millas) will make the team? Then the Nationals quietly signed Knizner to a minor league deal, with an invitation to big league camp. The Glen Allen, Va., native has big league experience, 290 games with the Cardinals and Rangers. His numbers weren’t great, but he backed up the likes of Yadier Molina and Willson Contreras, so he has learned from some of the best. It would take some tough maneuvering by the Nats to put Knizner on the roster over both Adams and Millas. But they didn’t sign the 30-year-old for nothing. They must want to at least get a look at him, while simultaneously putting some pressure on Ruiz, Adams and Millas to show real improvement.

TYLER STUART
Acquired last summer from the Mets in the Jesse Winker trade, Stuart is an intriguing pitching prospect. The 6-foot-9, 250-pound right-hander is a physical presence on the mound. And he’s delivered good numbers in three minor league seasons (3.31 ERA, 1.200 WHIP, 9.7 strikeouts per nine innings). He struggled in four late-season starts at Triple-A Rochester, so he probably needs more time to develop. But Stuart is already 25 and could warrant a look in the major league rotation if he gets off to a good start in April. His situation is not all that unlike the ones DJ Herz and Mitchell Parker found themselves in last year, and Jake Irvin the year before that. That definitely makes him someone to watch.

The latest health updates on Orioles recovering from injuries or surgeries will be shared on the first day of spring training. Media access begins Feb. 13.

Nothing passed along at this point has sounded the alarms.

Jorge Mateo seems to be the largest question mark regarding Opening Day availability as he recovers from Aug. 28 surgery to correct a dislocated left elbow. Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias said Thursday that Mateo’s “not going to be a hundred percent citizen of spring training, but he’ll be ramping up and we’ll be able to address whether or not he’s going to break for exact Opening Day a little bit later.”

That crowded infield might have found its solution. Too soon to know.

Closer Félix Bautista also needs to ramp up after reporting and is going to be on a slower spring pace than his teammates, but he’s expected to be ready for March 27 in Toronto.

It’s finally February, and you know what that means: Baseball is on the horizon.

Nationals pitchers and catchers report to the team’s facility in West Palm Beach in a mere 10 days, officially kicking off the 2025 campaign.

“But Bobby, the Nats still have holes on their roster. They’re not ready!”

Yes, looking at the roster as currently constructed, general manager Mike Rizzo would probably want to enter the season with a few more pieces. But fear not: Opening Day is still about two months away, and the roster on the first day of camp is never the same roster that is introduced on the first day of the season.

The Nats have the next week plus a couple of days before pitchers and catchers hold their first workouts on the back fields at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches. The first full squad workout is almost a week after that.

The names aren’t quite as notable as a year ago, when several of the top prospects in baseball made their spring training debuts for the Nationals, but this year’s crop of non-roster invitees does include some intriguing young players who figure to be part of the organization’s future (some sooner than others).

The Nats announced 17 players not currently on the 40-man roster who will participate in major league camp beginning next month, headlined by third baseman Brady House, catcher Caleb Lomavita and pitcher Jarlin Susana.

This will be House’s second spring with the big leaguers, but the 21-year-old’s first real opportunity to show the organization he’s close to big-league-ready. The Nationals’ 2021 first round pick got a token look last spring before heading to Double-A Harrisburg. He finished the season at Triple-A Rochester, batting .241 with 19 homers and 66 RBIs in 129 combined games between the two affiliates.

Team officials haven’t definitively said if House has a chance to make the Opening Day roster, but they also haven’t acquired any starting third base candidates this winter. For now, the alternatives to House are Jose Tena, Trey Lipscomb and veteran utilityman Amed Rosario.

House won’t be the only third base prospect in camp. He’ll be joined in West Palm Beach, Fla., by 2023 second round pick Yohandy Morales (who also plays first base) and Cayden Wallace (who was acquired from the Royals last summer for reliever Hunter Harvey) and could be close to big-league ready himself.

January has the potential to be a busy month for the Orioles based on some important dates and roster business that needs completion.

The general managers and Winter Meetings are over. Players eligible for qualifying offers already decided whether to accept or decline, with Corbin Burnes and Anthony Santander choosing the latter and setting up the Orioles to receive compensatory draft picks.

The non-tender deadline also passed, with the Orioles sending reliever Jacob Webb into free agency. He signed with the Rangers.

Corner infielder Emmanuel Rivera is the only arbitration-eligible player who signed a 2025 contract, agreeing to $1 million to avoid a hearing. Eleven Orioles remain unsigned – pitchers Dean Kremer, Kyle Bradish, Tyler Wells, Trevor Rogers, Keegan Akin and Gregory Soto, catcher Adley Rutschman, infielders Ryan Mountcastle, Jorge Mateo and Ramón Urías, and outfielder Cedric Mullins - and salary figures will be exchanged Thursday night unless deals are struck.

These players remain with the Orioles, so it’s only about setting salaries. Hearings will be held between Jan. 27-Feb. 14.

The countdown to spring training intensifies after the Winter Meetings and the start of a new year. The important dates leading up to it are fading.

Arbitration figures are exchanged on Jan. 9 for eligible players who haven’t signed. The international signing period begins Jan. 15. Those are the big ones.

Perhaps the Orioles will introduce a new player or two before camp opens in Sarasota.

I’ve already provided a sampling of spring storylines: how Heston Kjerstad and Coby Mayo fit on the roster, how Adley Rutschman will hit, anything Félix Bautista, rehab progress made by Kyle Bradish and Tyler Wells, Grayson Rodriguez’s health after being left off the Wild Card roster, anything Jackson Holliday, what a full season of Zach Eflin could do, whether Daz Cameron can make the club as an extra outfielder, whether Dean Kremer can take the next step, reaction to the left field wall, the bullpen, whether Cade Povich makes the club, Emmanuel Rivera’s bid to break camp with the team, improvements with Trevor Rogers, and any noticeable changes under the new hitting coaches.

Here are a few more.

The Orioles today announced that individual tickets for all Spring Training games at Ed Smith Stadium will go on sale Monday, December 9, at 12 p.m. ET. The club also announced its Spring Training promotional schedule.

Beginning Monday, fans can purchase individual tickets for all 2025 Spring Training games at Ed Smith Stadium. Birdland Members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets as part of an exclusive pre-sale on Thursday, December 5. Fans who register for the Sarasota 365 newsletter will also have access to a pre-sale on Monday, December 9 at 10 a.m. Single game tickets can be purchased online at Orioles.com/SpringTickets. The Ed Smith Stadium Box Office will be open for in-person sales beginning Tuesday, January 21 at 10 a.m. and will remain open Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. for all of Spring Training.

The 2025 Spring Training promotional schedule features giveaways and experiences for fans of all ages. Again this year, the Orioles will invite children and seniors to run the bases after select home games. Kids Run the Bases, presented by The Out-of-Door Academy, is open to all fans ages four to 14 following every Sunday home game, while Seniors Stroll the Bases, presented by Sunways Senior Living Concierge, will return following Monday and Wednesday home games for fans ages 60 and older.

The promotional schedule is also highlighted by special event days and giveaways. Fans can enjoy Heroes Day (February 25) presented by Cheney Brothers, Family Weekend (March 8-9), Youth Sports Day (March 9) presented by First Watch, and Fireworks Night (March 21). They can also receive various giveaways throughout the spring season, including a Magnet Schedule (February 22) presented by Tommy’s Express Car Wash, a Plush Cow (March 1) presented by Chick-fil-A, an Orioles Rally Towel (March 8), and a Spring Training Gunnar Henderson T-shirt (March 14).

As part of the first ever Family Weekend, fans will have the opportunity to purchase a Family Weekend ticket package. The offer, which provides a 25 percent savings, starts at $20 per ticket and can be used to purchase anywhere from three to eight tickets. Family Weekend will have something fun for all ages, including meet and greets with the Oriole Bird. Fans can purchase ticket packages and find additional details at Orioles.com/SpringFamilyWeekend.

We’re in the middle of awards week with the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. The Orioles’ last transaction was signing right-hander Robinson Martínez to a minor league contract on Thursday. They remain engaged in talks to add a right-handed bat and more pitching.

It’s going to heat up.

Meanwhile, I’ve written about some anticipated storylines in spring training, like how Heston Kjerstad and Coby Mayo fit on the roster, how Adley Rutschman will hit, anything Félix Bautista, rehab progress made by Kyle Bradish and Tyler Wells, Grayson Rodriguez’s health after being left off the Wild Card roster, anything Jackson Holliday, what a full season of Zach Eflin could do, whether Daz Cameron can make the club as an extra outfielder, and whether Dean Kremer can take the next step.

Here are a few more.

More reaction to the left field wall.

It’s never too early to start thinking about spring training storylines.

That’s a lie. It’s much too early. But there’s no harm in talking about a few topics in October.

Can the roster hold Heston Kjerstad and Coby Mayo?

There might not be two bigger curiosities in camp than this duo. Kjerstad was the second-overall pick in the 2020 draft, and you know the rest, including the myocarditis diagnosis that pushed back everything in his career and changed his life. Mayo has risen to No. 1 prospect in the system and No. 8 in baseball per MLB Pipeline, with power that makes jaws drop.

Kjerstad has it, too, but neither one has a position waiting for him. Kjerstad was supposed to be the everyday right fielder, but he was optioned again this season and sidelined by a concussion, and Anthony Santander hit 44 home runs. Mayo went 4-for-41 with 22 strikeouts and was optioned twice, and a team trying for a deep playoff run went with more trustworthy defenders at third base.

Hurricane Milton, a violent Category 3 storm that made landfall Wednesday night near Siesta Key, apparently didn't cause major destruction to the Orioles' spring training complex in Sarasota.

Sustained winds reaching 120 mph tore the fabric roof off Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, home of the Tampa Bay Rays. The Ed Smith Stadium complex appears to have been spared.

The storm weakened to a Category 1 as it moved through the state this morning.

“We are evaluating the Sarasota complex at this time, but initial assessments have not yet uncovered significant damage,” Orioles senior vice president of communications Jennifer Grondahl said in a statement. “FP&L (Florida Power & Light) is activating from our facility to help restore power to our community. We will share additional ways in which we intend to support the response efforts as plans are finalized.”

FP&L is using the facility as a staging center and local officials marked it as a sandbag distribution center. The Orioles evacuated personnel Monday at Ed Smith and the minor league complex at Twin Lakes Park.

PHILADELPHIA – José Tena has returned to the Nationals lineup for tonight’s series opener against the Phillies after missing the two-game set against the Orioles with a thumb injury.

The 23-year-old infielder, who the Nats acquired from the Guardians in the Lane Thomas trade, couldn’t handle a sharp grounder hit right at him in the fourth inning of Sunday’s loss to the Angels. He was struck while trying to turn a double play and had to depart the game with a towel wrapped around his bleeding right thumb.

X-rays were negative, with no broken bones, but the cut on Tena’s thumb was significant enough to keep the young third baseman out of the lineup for the two games in Baltimore.

But now Tena, who became the first player in franchise history with a walk-off hit in his team debut on Saturday, returns to the field at third base while batting eighth at Citizens Bank Park.

“He's good. He's gonna play today,” manager Davey Martinez said during his pregame meeting with the media. “He felt better yesterday, so he's in the lineup today. We'll see how he does.”

Davey Martinez is about to begin his seventh season as the Nationals manager, by far the longest tenured skipper in team history.

He’s managed teams that have won a lot (2019) and teams that haven’t won a lot (2022). He’s managed veterans and youngsters alike. And he’s managed while making changes to his coaching staff over the years.

But to start the 2024 season, Martinez did something he hasn’t done much since donning a curly W cap: Be more vocal and hands-on during spring training.

Why after seven years did the 59-year-old suddenly decide to speak up more? The young prospects in major league camp had a lot to do with it.

“For me right now, it's about teaching and having these moments where I can get them and talk to them a little bit more,” Martinez said. “Maybe one-on-one, maybe in a group. I have been more vocal. … I preach so much about the little things, that the little things do matter. They've been great. They really have. It's been great conversations.”

The Nationals arrived back in D.C. last night and now only have one more exhibition game to play before heading to Cincinnati for Opening Day.

Once again, the Nats are hosting their exhibition finale on their home field on South Capitol Street. But for the first time, they are not playing another major league team set to open the regular season on the East Coast. Instead, the Nats’ regular big leaguers will play against a squad of the organization’s top prospects.

Headlined by Dylan Crews, James Wood, Brady House, Robert Hassell III and Trey Lipscomb, the Nationals announced the prospects roster for tomorrow’s “On Deck: Nationals Futures Game” at Nationals Park:

Pitchers – Brendan Collins, DJ Herz, Joe La Sorsa, Orlando Ribalta, Jackson Rutledge, Tyler Schoff, Jarlin Susana, Amos Willingham

Catchers – Drew Millas, Israel Pineda, Maxwell Romero Jr.

Spring training is officially over. The Nationals boarded their charter flight in West Palm Beach after Sunday’s game and departed for Washington, ready to get the 2024 season going.

There’s still one more exhibition to play (Tuesday’s “Futures Game” against the organization’s prospects) before Thursday’s season opener in Cincinnati, but it’s OK to take a moment today to look back at what transpired over the last six weeks and share some thoughts.

As is always the case, we spend a lot of time at spring training obsessing over certain roster spots or job competitions. And by the end of camp, you can’t help but wonder if that time and energy was well spent.

It’s in that spirit that we present an annual feature on the morning after the spring training finale: What did we maybe make too big a deal about, and what did we potentially gloss over during our time in Florida …

TOO BIG A DEAL: WHETHER THE KIDS WOULD MAKE THE TEAM
It was impossible not to devote a ton of attention to the row of top prospects whose lockers were all together right by the front door of the Nationals’ clubhouse. And there was plenty to get excited about from that group. But talk about their chances of making the Opening Day roster was probably premature. Yes, James Wood looked great, batting .364 with an MLB-best 1.214 OPS. But he’s also a 21-year-old with half a season of experience at Double-A. Yes, Dylan Crews had his moments. But he was still playing at LSU this time last year and struggled in his brief time in Harrisburg last September. Brady House? He’s still got a ways to go. Only Trey Lipscomb (the least-talked-about prospect at the start of spring) played his way into the conversation at the end of camp. He turns 24 this summer, he looks very comfortable at three infield positions, and he consistently hit all spring. But even if he doesn’t make the roster, it’s not the end of the world. All of these guys will eventually be playing in D.C. The real test comes now that spring training is over.

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. – The Nationals’ goal for today’s Grapefruit League finale was pretty simple: Get guys in, get them out, get them on a plane to D.C.

Though most of the regulars made the 45-minute trip to Mets camp, all were out of the game by the bottom of the fourth and hitting the showers so they could catch the early bus back to West Palm Beach. After that was the scheduled charter flight home, setting the stage for Tuesday’s final exhibition at Nationals Park and then Thursday’s season opener in Cincinnati.

So there wasn’t a whole lot to evaluate from what wound up a 10-1 loss. As long as everybody emerged healthy, everybody would be happy.

Patrick Corbin didn’t mind that he allowed three runs and seven hits in only four innings. The veteran left-hander knew he was scheduled for only four frames today. He would’ve preferred a slightly lower pitch count than his final total of 86, but the extra work wasn’t the worst thing, either.

“We were thinking four and 60,” he said. “So, some more pitches than I thought. But it was definitely good to at least get one more game, a real spring game, in. I’m ready to go, ready for Saturday.”

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. – The Nationals officially purchased the contracts of outfielders Eddie Rosario and Jesse Winker, plus reliever Matt Barnes, this morning, moving a step closer to finalizing their Opening Day roster.

Rosario, Winker and Barnes all made the club after coming to camp on minor league deals. They could be joined by reliever Derek Law, who appears to have made the team but hasn’t officially had his contract purchased yet.

Rosario, Winker and Barnes’ fates were determined Friday night when the Nationals optioned outfielders Alex Call and Jacob Young to Triple-A Rochester and reassigned reliever Jacob Barnes to minor league camp, settling those spring competitions for jobs.

Rosario and Winker join Lane Thomas and Victor Robles as the Nats’ four-man outfield to open the season. Manager Davey Martinez expects all to receive playing time, with Rosario playing both left and center fields, and Winker playing left field and serving as designated hitter at times.

“As I always say, things always play themselves out,” Martinez said. “I hope they both do really well. … They’re both going to help us, big time.”

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. – The day has come at last. It’s the final day of spring training. Later this evening, the Nationals will board their charter flight and head north to D.C. But first, there’s one last game to play down here.

The Nats, who at 15-11-1 already are assured of finishing with a winning Grapefruit League record, head up the road to face the Mets in this afternoon’s finale. They’ll have Patrick Corbin on the mound making his final tune-up start before he takes the mound Saturday in Cincinnati for Game 2 of the regular season.

The lineup isn’t quite what we’ll see Thursday in Cincinnati, but it’s probably close. Riley (“Grey Pants”) Adams is behind the plate for one more spring road game. And Joey Meneses has the day off, leaving Eddie Rosario as the designated hitter. Trey Lipscomb (still in contention for the final spot on the roster) is on the trip but will come off the bench.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS vs. NEW YORK METS
Where: Clover Park, Port St. Lucie
Gametime: 1:10 p.m. EDT
TV: MLB.tv (Mets feed)
Radio: MLB.com (Mets feed)
Weather: Partly cloudy, 76 degrees, wind 18 mph in from center field

NATIONALS
SS CJ Abrams
RF Lane Thomas
LF Jesse Winker
DH Eddie Rosario
1B Joey Gallo
3B Nick Senzel
2B Luis García Jr.
C Riley Adams
CF Victor Robles

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Nationals made four more cuts following tonight’s split-squad, day-night doubleheader, and in the process left themselves with only one more decision to make before their Opening Day roster is set.

The club optioned outfielders Alex Call and Jacob Young and catcher Drew Millas to Triple-A Rochester and reassigned reliever Jacob Barnes to minor league camp, leaving only 27 healthy players remaining heading into the final day of spring training.

The demotions of Call and Young leave the Nationals with four remaining outfielders, all of whom are expected to make the team: Lane Thomas, Victor Robles, Eddie Rosario and Jesse Winker. The latter two, who are on minor league contracts, will need to be added to the 40-man roster.

The demotion of Millas leaves the Nats’ catching tandem from the majority of the last two seasons (Keibert Ruiz and Riley Adams) intact.

The reassignment of Barnes, who pitched a scoreless inning tonight and finished the spring with an 0.87 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 10 1/3 innings, appears to solidify the Nationals’ Opening Day bullpen. Barring a late addition from outside the organization, the eight-man relief corps will include Kyle Finnegan, Hunter Harvey, Dylan Floro, Tanner Rainey, Jordan Weems, Derek Law, Matt Barnes and Robert Garcia (the lone left-hander in the group). Law and Barnes, who signed minor league deals after camp began, will also need to be added to the 40-man roster.

SARASOTA, Fla. – The final exhibition start for Corbin Burnes was more of a tune-up for Opening Day. Get a few more innings and pitches under his belt and get him out of Florida healthy.

Burnes worked 5 1/3 innings tonight before Tyler Wells replaced him, allowing two runs (one earned) and five hits with no walks and four strikeouts. He totaled 57 pitches, 44 for strikes in his fifth spring training appearance, and did more throwing in the bullpen.

Other work in camp was done on the back fields. Not everything that happens is for public viewing.

Burnes finishes with a 6.75 ERA in 16 innings.

“We’re in a great spot,” he said. “We were kind of at the point early on where we were trying to find the cutter a little bit, just the command of it. Off-speed stuff’s been great the whole camp, which usually comes pretty quickly for me. The last thing is as you kind of ramp up throwing, it’s all about finding the cutter and we did the last two, which has been really good.”