Slimmer Robles ready to reassert himself on defense, at bat
Slimmer Robles ready to reassert himself on defense, at bat
Pete Kerzel
Nationals
Victor Robles heard the whispers last season. That the 15 pounds he put on during the coronavirus pandemic backfired, making his first-step reaction times in the outfield slower and hampering his swing. In short, he bulked up a little too much and paid the price for it. So instead of relaxing this winter, Robles packed up his gear and headed to his native Dominican Republic, where he focused on refining his game by trimming some weight from a 6-foot frame that had become noticeably bigger than...
Martinez on Fedde starting opener, Hand closing and Parra's knee
Martinez on Fedde starting opener, Hand closing and Parra's knee
Pete Kerzel
Nationals
With his top two starting pitchers spending the beginning of spring training ramping up after injuries, Nationals manager Davey Martinez has chosen right-hander Erick Fedde to start Sunday's Grapefruit League opener against the Cardinals in Jupiter, Fla. "We want to get him out there," Martinez said of Fedde this afternoon during his Zoom conference call with reporters. "He looks good. Built him up a little bit. So feel like he'll be the guy." Fedde will be limited to 30 pitches, which...
Davis bringing new approach to plate in spring training
Davis bringing new approach to plate in spring training
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Reluctant to make any real changes to his approach at the plate while his production tumbled and the criticism rose, Orioles first baseman Chris Davis decided to bring a different look to spring training in 2021. And it has nothing to do with muscle. Exactly how drastic won't be known until the exhibition games begin, with the opener on Sunday against the Pirates in Sarasota, Fla. Workouts are closed to the media and Davis remained coy today while talking about it with the media on a Zoom...
Orioles announce spring training radio broadcast schedule
Orioles announce spring training radio broadcast schedule
Doug Miller
Orioles
The Orioles today announced that 12 Spring Training games will be broadcast on the Orioles Radio Network and flagship station 105.7 The Fan. The complete schedule of Orioles Spring Training broadcasts is below. DATE OPPONENT TIME BROADCAST Tuesday, March 2 vs. New York Yankees 1:05 p.m. Orioles Radio Network Thursday, March 4 vs. Boston Red Sox 1:05 p.m. Orioles Radio Network Saturday, March 6 vs. Detroit Tigers 6:05 p.m. Orioles Radio...
Bell ready to be the guy who hits behind Soto
Bell ready to be the guy who hits behind Soto
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The most important hit in Nationals history - well, until he produced an even more important hit three weeks later - came moments after the opponents intentionally walked Juan Soto. Yep, it's easy to forget now what preceded Howie Kendrick's 10th-inning grand slam at Dodger Stadium in Game 5 of the 2019 National League Division Series, but it was indeed an intentional walk of Soto. The Dodgers weren't about to let the then-20-year-old sensation beat them in a winner-take-all game. They would...
Kyle Moore on spring training life in the other camp
Kyle Moore on spring training life in the other camp
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The reformatted 2021 spring training camp in Sarasota, Fla. has spread out some players to the Twin Lakes side in order for the Orioles to follow health and safety protocols. To avoid overcrowding at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. This is a deviation from the usual minor league setup with the reduction in bodies. Players at Twin Lakes can be summoned to the major league complex. The traffic moves in both directions, but proper spacing will remain the priority. Nothing that's...
Taking a look at one lineup possibility, plus more notes
Taking a look at one lineup possibility, plus more notes
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Which American League team had the third-best team batting average during the 2020 season? And, yes, it was a season shortened to 60 games, 102 fewer than normal. It was the Orioles. They ranked 12th in team batting average at .246 in 2019 and were third at .258 in the AL last summer when the league average was .245. While the Orioles in 2020 produced 4.57 runs per game, under league average of .4.65, they rated eighth in OBP (.321), sixth in slugging (.429) and tied for eighth in team OPS...
Orioles notes and quotes from today's workout
Orioles notes and quotes from today's workout
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde has chosen Thomas Eshelman to start Sunday afternoon's exhibition opener against the Pirates at Ed Smith Stadium. Hyde wanted to get through a handful of full-squad workouts before making his decision. Eshelman rejoined the Orioles on a minor league deal last month. He made 12 appearances in 2020, including four starts, and tied Travis Lakins Sr. for the team lead with three wins. He also registered a 3.89 ERA and 1.240 WHIP in 34 2/3 innings. The Orioles...
Washington Nationals announce Phil Rizzo Scout of the Year Award
Washington Nationals announce Phil Rizzo Scout of the Year Award
Doug Miller
Nationals
The Washington Nationals announced the inaugural Phil Rizzo Scout of the Year Award on Thursday. The award will be given annually to the Washington Nationals scout who represents the integrity, character, and work ethic exemplified by Phil Rizzo. Steve Arnieri, Special Assistant to the President of Baseball Operations and General Manager, is the first winner. The award will be presented annually at the baseball Winter Meetings. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager...
After year away, Zimmerman relishing return to Nats
After year away, Zimmerman relishing return to Nats
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Though a few things have changed since he last walked into the Nationals clubhouse - like the mandatory COVID-19 testing and temperature checks, the spaced-out lockers and the fact everyone must wear a mask indoors - Ryan Zimmerman feels far more a sense of familiarity right now at his home away from home. "It's good to be back out here and kind of going through the day-to-day grind again," he said. "I missed that part, for sure." It's been nearly a year since Zimmerman was last with his...