The latest Hall of Fame ballot includes four players with ties to the Orioles and one who made a significant impact, though he isn't likely to be a future inductee. Second baseman Brian Roberts appears on the ballot for the first time. He's joined by pitcher Curt Schilling and outfielder Sammy Sosa. Pitcher Heath Bell, also in the group, signed a minor league deal with the Orioles in May 2014 and was released after 10 relief appearances at Triple-A Norfolk. Roberts, now an analyst on MASN and...

VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals announced they have optioned right-handed pitcher Taylor Jordan to Triple-A Syracuse, reassigned infielder Matt Skole and right-hander Evan Meek to minor league camp and released right-handed reliever Heath Bell. Bell, a non-roster invitee, came to Viera hoping to find a late-inning role on a Nats staff that lost Tyler Clippard late in the offseason. He wasn't able to regain the magic that saw him appear in three All-Star Games when he was one of the game's best...

VIERA, Fla. - The game of baseball if filled with superstitions. Well, today is Friday the 13th, and it delivered some bad news for Nationals fans. This morning came word that star third baseman Anthony Rendon will miss a week or more with a mild left MCL sprain. Then, after today's fluky 6-6 tie with the Houston Astros, manager Matt Williams announced that closer Drew Storen had surgery today to remove the hook of the hamate bone in his left, or non-throwing, hand. Add them to an infirmary...

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo today announced 20 non-roster invitees for spring training. First baseman/outfielder Mike Carp, second baseman Dan Uggla, third baseman Ian Stewart and right-hander Heath Bell were among 13 players the Nationals agreed to terms with on minor league contracts with invites to major league spring training. Seven additional minor league players received spring training invites, including right-hander Rafael Martin and infielder Cutter Dykstra. Carp started 56...

Seemingly every year, there's at least one non-roster invitee who makes a major impression in spring training, and ends up surprising people and cracking the opening day roster. Sometimes, it's a veteran who had been signed to a minor league deal with an invitation to big league spring training. Guys like Chad Tracy, who are looking to find their way back into the fold in the majors after an injury, time in Triple-A or a year playing abroad. Other times, it's an under-the-radar minor...

If you look strictly at the moves that the Nationals have made so far this offseason, it might seem like members of the organization's front office have been kicking back and enjoying some down time over the last few months. We all know that's far from the truth, but in terms of actual additions to the organization, it's been almost entirely minor league deals and trades to improve the club for future seasons. Outside of re-signing a few minor leaguers who were already in the Nats system...

Well, it wouldn't be spring training without at least one reclamation project, right? Former Padres All-Star closer Heath Bell announced in a self-penned post on The Players' Tribune this afternoon that he had signed a minor league deal with the Nationals. The contract includes an invitation to major league spring training, so Bell will be suiting up in Viera, Fla., when pitchers and catchers report on Feb. 19. Bell, 37, is the classic low-risk, high-reward guy at this stage of his career,...

HOUSTON - Steve Pearce has thrown out a runner at second base today and walked to force in the go-ahead run. He's a professional hitter and fielder. Pearce registered the Orioles' 11th outfield assist this year when he nabbed Marwin Gonzalez trying to stretch a single into a double in the fourth. He walked with the bases loaded and two outs in the fifth to break a 1-1 tie. Manny Machado reached on an infield single, his second hit in his last 19 at-bats. Caleb Joseph singled with two outs,...

The Orioles don't have a game tonight and it has nothing to do with rain. There's an open date on their schedule. Triple-A Norfolk has one, as well, and should savor every second of it. After today, the Tides have one off-day scheduled prior to the All-Star break. They play on 54 of the next 55 days. Heath Bell made his Norfolk debut yesterday and retired the side in order on eight pitches, including six strikes. Fans ask why the Orioles would bother signing Bell, who hasn't really been good...

Are the Orioles slumping or surging? I can't keep it straight. The rotation is a concern because the starters aren't working deep enough in games, except for Chris Tillman tossing a nine-inning shutout last night in a 4-0 victory over the Royals. The offense is ice cold, except for Chris Davis homering last night, Nelson Cruz producing two more RBIs and the Orioles actually scoring in three different innings. This is a hard team to figure out. Zach Britton still appears to be the closer,...

The Orioles made their agreement with Heath Bell official tonight, saying via Twitter that the veteran reliever will report to Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday, pending a physical. Hold the Grant Balfour jokes, please. Most of these guys actually pass the physical. "Bell is a proven veteran pitcher with experience who has agreed to a Triple-A deal," executive vice president Dan Duquette tweeted tonight. "We believe he can help our major league club later this season." According to...

Seeking to improve their bullpen depth and provide options at closer down the road, the Orioles have agreed to terms with veteran right-hander Heath Bell on a minor league contract and will assign him to Triple-A Norfolk. Bell is expected to sign his contract later tonight. Executive vice president Dan Duquette confirmed the agreement in a text message, referring to Bell as "an interesting sign for 3A." The Orioles didn't have much interest in Bell, 36, over the winter after the Rays...