The center field competition between Austin Hays and Cedric Mullins won't necessarily push one of them to the bench. Manager Brandon Hyde is willing to put them in the same lineup with their ability to handle all three outfield spots, which would strengthen the defense. The designated hitter role comes with a revolving door now that Renato Núñez has left the organization. On any given day, Ryan Mountcastle or another outfielder could land in that spot. "I think I'm going to move all...

The first round is complete in the veteran starter battle in Orioles camp. Wade LeBlanc tossed two scoreless innings in his debut outing against the Braves, allowing only one hit. The Blue Jays worked Matt Harvey for three runs and four hits yesterday in two innings. Félix Hernández took his first turn tonight against the Tigers at Ed Smith Stadium and retired the side in order in the first inning. He issued back-to-back walks in the second and surrendered two runs in a 6-5...

Orioles starting pitcher Félix Hernández said he was happy to be back pitching tonight after missing the 2020 regular season. He gave up two runs over two innings versus the Detroit Tigers and then pledged to be better his next time out. "It was good," Hernández said of his outing. "I was happy I had a chance to pitch again after a year off. The results could have been better, but I'm happy with it." The O's radio announcers said most of his fastballs were in the mid-80s range...

Savvy baseball observers know not to put too much stock into stats from September or spring training. Despite their seemingly glittery appearance, they can be nothing more than fool's gold, and players who have raked in September or spring often find themselves quickly struggling once pitchers adapt to them. But Andrew Stevenson made last September his personal coming-out party, picking up hits in all 12 of his games and slashing .417/.488/.833 over 41 plate appearances. That output set him up...

As first spring training starts go, Patrick Corbin took the positives out of his two-inning outing against the Marlins on Saturday afternoon. The left-hander's slider looked crisp, his sinker effective. He was able to tinker with a cutter and a changeup he wants to integrate more into his mix to keep opposing hitters thinking. Best of all, he got his work in before rain started to move across Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Fla. The Nationals prevailed 5-3 in a game shortened by rain to six...

Exactly one year ago, top Orioles prospect Adley Rutschman sat down in manager Brandon Hyde's spring training office and heard that he was reassigned to minor league camp. News that he understood was coming to him. Rutschman reported to the Ed Smith Stadium complex today and found his name on the lineup card as the designated hitter against the Tigers. His stay has been extended. The Orioles don't plan on taking Rutschman to Boston for the opening series. His reassignment is pending. And the...

Shortstop Freddy Galvis has returned to the Orioles lineup tonight after being a late scratch Thursday with a sore hip. Trey Mancini is batting second again, making the start at first base. Chris Davis remains day-to-day with lower-back stiffness. Ryan Mountcastle is the cleanup hitter and Adley Rutschman is the designated hitter. Cedric Mullins takes his turn in center field. Félix Hérnandez makes his Orioles debut and is expected to pitch two innings. For the Orioles Cedric Mullins CF...

Nationals manager Davey Martinez has plenty on his plate during the typical day at spring training. He has to check on each of his players and see how they're doing, a daily interaction the skipper prides himself upon. He makes sure to gauge the recoveries of any injured Nats. He needs to converse with his coaches to make sure everything is running smoothly in camp and with general manager Mike Rizzo to talk about potential roster moves and upcoming camp cuts. And then there's the...

Would you believe spring training is already 40 percent complete? That's right, the Nationals have made it through the first 16 days of a 40-day camp. Time flies when you're having fun, huh? (Or when there's actually baseball being played.) That's not to suggest the Nats are anywhere close to being ready for opening night, though. They've still got a lot to figure out over the next 24 days. Truth be told, they've barely answered any of the most pressing questions they faced when they...

Max Scherzer has dealt with sprained ankles before. Both his left and his right, actually. So when it happened about four weeks ago and briefly delayed his spring training debut, the Nationals ace wasn't particularly worried about that. No, what Scherzer was more worried about was a sprained left ankle setting off a chain of events that might lead to an injured right arm. "When you progress through something like this, one little thing can lead to another little thing, and that can lead up to...