Would-be National Worley takes them down again

Would-be National Worley takes them down again
Had things gone as originally planned, Vance Worley most likely would have started tonight's game at Nationals Park, not for the visiting club for the home squad. The Nationals signed Worley to a minor league contract last winter and offered him an invitation to big league camp. It was a non-guaranteed deal, but given the right-hander's track record and versatility, he looked like a strong bet to make the opening day roster and serve as both a long man in the bullpen and emergency starter if...

Nats fall 7-3 as Worley beats Cole for second time in a week

Nats fall 7-3 as Worley beats Cole for second time in a week
The second A.J. Cole-Vance Worley matchup in a week didn't go any better for the Nationals than it did the first time. In a rematch of Wednesday night's blowout loss in Miami, Worley once again handcuffed the Nationals lineup while Cole served up a couple of towering home runs to the Marlins during a 7-3 loss that looked all too familiar. Worley, the journeyman long reliever/spot starter who dominated the Nationals during seven scoreless innings six days ago at Marlins Park, wasn't quite as...

Orioles down big, Gausman on his outing (O's lose 15-6)

Orioles down big, Gausman on his outing (O's lose 15-6)
ORIOLES QUICK WRAP Score: Rays 15, Orioles 6 Recap: Kevin Gausman was wild today, walking four batters and throwing two wild pitches in 3 2/3 innings. He allowed two runs (one earned) and two hits, and he struck out five ... Zach Britton worked 1 1/3 scoreless innings, with two hits, two walks and one strikeout ... Hyun Soo Kim hit his first spring home run in the fourth inning, a solo shot onto the boardwalk in right-center field ... Chris Dickerson tied the game in the fourth with a two-out...

Worley among flurry of cuts that bring Nats roster to 27

Worley among flurry of cuts that bring Nats roster to 27
JUPITER, Fla. - The Nationals moved significantly closer to finalizing their opening day roster this morning, cutting six players to bring the total number of players left in big league camp to 27 on the penultimate day of spring training. Most significant among the moves was the unconditional release of right-hander Vance Worley, who was competing for a spot in the bullpen as a long reliever. The Nationals also optioned right-handers A.J. Cole and Trevor Gott to Triple-A Syracuse and...

Nats have three final decisions to make before opening day

Nats have three final decisions to make before opening day
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Nationals have wrapped up the home portion of their spring training schedule, with only two road games left on the docket before they leave Florida: Today against the Cardinals in Jupiter (note the early 12:05 p.m. start) and Thursday against the Red Sox in Fort Myers. They still have some things to sort out, though, before heading north for good. So let's run through those final decisions ... WHO'S THE CLOSER? You've heard everything you need to hear about this...

Little clarity in competition for long relief job

Little clarity in competition for long relief job
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Dusty Baker prefers to have a true long man in his bullpen. The Nationals manager has said so multiple times this spring. "You need that guy," Baker said this morning. "Unless you just have a five-man rotation that's unbelievable, but those are hard to find. We've got a good one, but a lot of teams are going to need that guy." The Nationals have no shortage of long relief candidates in camp this spring, from veterans like Vance Worley, Jeremy Guthrie, Matt Albers...

Starting lineups: Nats vs. Yankees in West Palm Beach on MASN

Starting lineups: Nats vs. Yankees in West Palm Beach on MASN
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - It's a big day here at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. Not only are the Yankees in town, with a sellout crowd expected, but you'll be able to watch it live on MASN as well. Bob Carpenter, F.P. Santangelo and Dan Kolko have made the trip to Florida and will have today's game on the air, with some special guests along the way. On top of all that, the ballpark is hosting another game at 6:05 p.m., with the Astros entertaining the Cardinals. People around here are...

Baker enjoys his glimpse of Nats' future in 6-0 win

Baker enjoys his glimpse of Nats' future in 6-0 win
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Dusty Baker got a glimpse of the Nationals' future Saturday afternoon and liked what he saw. But one pitch - the final one Erick Fedde threw in what turned out to be three scoreless innings against the Mets in a 6-0 victory - may have been the difference between ending the day on a high note and seeing a strong first Grapefruit League start unravel into an unpleasant memory. Fedde cruised through the first two innings, the only man to reach base coming via second baseman...

Ross rebounds after first inning, but Worley struggles (Nats lose 5-3)

Ross rebounds after first inning, but Worley struggles (Nats lose 5-3)
NATIONALS QUICK WRAP Score: Red Sox 5, Nationals 3 Recap: Right-hander Vance Worley allowed three runs in the fourth inning as the Red Sox snapped a 2-2 tie. Worley walked the first two batters he faced and now sports a 7.50 ERA. ... Joe Ross allowed two solo homers in the first inning - to Mookie Betts and Hanley Ramirez - in his 2 2/3 innings. ... Anthony Rendon and Wilmer Difo drove in Washington runs. ... Reliever Koda Glover struck out the side in the sixth. ... Drew Ward drew a...

Baker on Cole, Worley and a 5-2 loss to the Twins

Baker on Cole, Worley and a 5-2 loss to the Twins
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Not that he ever wants to lose a ballgame, even those played in late February in front of 5,314 fans, but Dusty Baker couldn't have been too surprised by today's 5-2 loss to the Twins at Hammond Stadium, given the circumstances. "Overall, we didn't play that well," the Nationals manager said. "This was our first game after a long bus ride, so I have mostly young guys here. We'll be better tomorrow." Indeed, the Nationals brought only one regular member of their...

Early notes from the first workout day (with video)

Early notes from the first workout day (with video)
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Nationals pitchers and catchers will go through drills for the first time today at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. But there's a notable absence among the 32 pitchers scheduled to participate in the first spring training workout. Right-hander Max Scherzer, recovering from a stress fracture on the knuckle of his right ring finger, is not listed among the pitchers who will throw bullpen sessions and take part in drills covering first base, and fielding popups,...

Showalter says Tillman "probably won't be an option" for opener

Showalter says Tillman "probably won't be an option" for opener
SARASOTA, Fla. - What was considered a mere formality has become an open competition. Chris Tillman figured to make his fourth consecutive opening day start for the Orioles, the only drama being how long it would take to get confirmation. However, a platelet-rich plasma injection in Tillman's right shoulder has pushed him back three weeks and made him a prime candidate for the disabled list. Manager Buck Showalter confirmed this afternoon that Tillman, 28, had a setback with his offseason...

Thoughts on a newsy week for the Nationals

Thoughts on a newsy week for the Nationals
After more than six weeks of radio silence out of South Capitol Street, you had to figure the Nationals were due to make some news at long last. Sure enough, it merely required your humble beat writer going on vacation last week for it to happen. You know the facts at this point - thanks to Pete Kerzel and Byron Kerr for covering things in my stead - but I didn't want to return to work and just gloss over the transactions altogether. So here are some thoughts on the three notable news items...

Nats ink swingman Vance Worley to minor league deal

Nats ink swingman Vance Worley to minor league deal
The Nationals on Saturday announced the signing of veteran right-hander Vance Worley to a minor league deal with an invitation to major league spring training, snatching a player the Orioles hoped would return to their bullpen after they cut ties with him last month. Worley, 29, is capable of filling multiple roles on a pitching staff and could inherit the swingman role vacated when the Nats chose not to bring back righty Yusmeiro Petit. According to Chris Cotillo of SB Nation, the pact...

Worley no longer pitching option for Orioles

Worley no longer pitching option for Orioles
The Orioles announced earlier today that more than 15,000 fans attended their annual FanFest at the Baltimore Convention Center. We've reached the conclusion. No more forums, no more autograph sessions. No more Vance Worley in an Orioles uniform. The Nationals announced this evening that they signed Worley, 29, to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. He reportedly will earn $1 million if he reaches the majors, with another $1.65 million possible in incentives. Orioles...

Early words from Duquette and Showalter (updated)

Early words from Duquette and Showalter (updated)
Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette and manager Buck Showalter finished up their FanFest forum for season plan members. The session lasted about 30 minutes, and it took 22 before a woman began to ask Showalter about his decision to not use closer Zach Britton in the wild card game. I had the under. Showalter cut her off and said, "It wasn't very good, was it?" The first question of the session pertained to Trey Mancini. Fans really want him to break camp with the team. Duquette and...

Hart ready to do some experimenting in spring training

Hart ready to do some experimenting in spring training
Orioles pitchers will be subjected to the usual drills in spring training, whether it's pop-ups, bunts or rundowns. They're going to throw on flat ground and off mounds, including one that has strings running across it to emphasize command. Certain pitchers will be given instructions tailored to their needs, others may take the initiative and do a little experimenting. Left-hander Donnie Hart will attempt to perform a balancing act. Hart will report to the Ed Smith Stadium complex feeling...

Wieters, Worley, draft order and minor matters

Wieters, Worley, draft order and minor matters
As another potential suitor for Matt Wieters is eliminated from consideration, speculation mounts that the Orioles could arrange an unexpected reunion with the free agent catcher. The Braves always have been viewed as the likely landing spot for Wieters, the former Georgia Tech star who owns a home in the Atlanta area, but they veered in a different direction yesterday and signed Kurt Suzuki. The market isn't completely dry, but the instructions call for the user to add water. The Angels could...

Notes on Drake, bullpen, Trumbo, Berry and Wright

Notes on Drake, bullpen, Trumbo, Berry and Wright
SARASOTA, Fla. - Reliever Oliver Drake has his locker set up inside the home clubhouse at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. He isn't attending minicamp, but it's waiting for him next month as pitchers and catchers report to spring training. The Orioles currently appear to have two openings in their bullpen and Drake may be given a shot to occupy one of them. It will be his most important camp, with the former 43rd round pick out of the Naval Academy now out of minor league options. Drake turns 30...

More on Seth Smith and what could come next

More on Seth Smith and what could come next
Immediately after the Orioles tweeted the news yesterday that they acquired outfielder Seth Smith from the Mariners for pitcher Yovani Gallardo and cash considerations, my first thought turned to how the club made the announcement before it leaked to the media. When does this happen anymore? There also was surprise that the Orioles traded one of their starters this month rather than later in the offseason. The math suggested that it eventually would happen, especially with the money committed...