Abrams will remain Nats' leadoff hitter to begin season
Mark Zuckerman
Masn
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – If there was any reason to debate who will hold the top spot in the Nationals’ batting order to begin the season, Davey Martinez put it to rest today with a fairly definitive revelation. “CJ is going to lead off,” the eighth-year manager said. “The 3-4-5 will be kind of different. The 2-spot might be a little different at ti
Nationals announce NATS20 Fan Favorite Moments
MASN Staff
Masn
Fan-selected top 20 moments will be displayed throughout the ballpark;three will be featured in Mystery Bobblehead giveaway on May 24 The Washington Nationals asked, and thousands of fans cast their ballots to choose the NATS20 Fan Favorite Moments, part of the Washington Nationals season-long 20th Anniversary celebration. Images representing the f
Sugano faces hitters in first live batting practice
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. – Tomoyuki Sugano reported to Orioles camp on Saturday, but today felt like the beginning of spring training. Three different hitters stood at the plate against him in live batting practice at Ed Smith Stadium, rotating until he faced eight during his session. A lengthy mound conference followed with catcher Adley Rutschman, pitching
Ogasawara to debut Sunday, Wood cleared to jog, Poche returns from illness
Mark Zuckerman
Masn
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – After 10 days of official workouts, not to mention plenty more unofficial workouts that took place before camp actually opened, the Nationals are undoubtedly ready for something different. Like exhibition games, which fortunately start showing up on the schedule Saturday. “Yeah, we’re ready,” manager Davey Martinez said. “As
Jordyn Adams happy with baseball decision (plus notes on Rogers, weekend pitchers, Sugano, Morton and more)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. – Jordyn Adams had a choice to make and he doesn’t regret the outcome. Adams committed to the University of North Carolina to play baseball and football. He was a four- or five-star recruit as a wide receiver, depending on the source, but Major League Baseball viewed him as one of the top prospects in the 2018 draft. The first decisi
Cowser focused on approach heading into new season
Brendan Mortensen
Masn
SARASOTA, Fla. – Baseball is a game of punches and counterpunches.  Last season, Colton Cowser came out of the gates swinging. The former fifth-overall pick mashed his way through April and March to the tune of a .303/.372/.632/1.004 slash line.  The elite defense didn’t hurt either.  Cowser ranked in the 96th percentile in both outs above average
"Jacked Jacob" draws looks, but it's his legs that earned him center field job
Mark Zuckerman
Masn
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – It was posted on the Nationals’ official “X” account one week ago, Feb. 14. The caption read: “Jacob but he goes by Jacked ??” The accompanying photo showed Jacob Young in a batting cage, holding his bat behind his head as he looked at someone (A teammate? A coach?) behind and to the right of the camera, which was positioned
Reviewing a week's worth of subjects at Orioles camp as games get closer
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. – One more day of live and cage batting practices, bullpens and fielding drills before the Orioles play their first spring training game. Overreacting to workouts can be replaced by overreacting to exhibitions. The club seems to have avoided injuries in camp other than some knuckles bloodied from knocking on wood. Jorge Mateo is reco
Nats perfect relays, pitchers build up with more live BP, Irvin gets Saturday start
Mark Zuckerman
Masn
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – As Saturday’s exhibition opener creeps closer, the Nationals are trying to make sure they cover all their bases during these final days of full-squad workouts. Literally. This morning’s session included the entire defense on the field as one, specifically working on proper relay technique. Outfielders tracked down balls hit
Post-workout notes from Day 8 of Orioles spring training
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. – Because he didn’t play winter ball, Orioles pitcher Albert Suárez is in the best shape of his life. He really means it. Suárez didn’t join Caracas in Venezuela after making 32 appearances with the Orioles last season and totaling a career-high 133 2/3 innings in his return to the majors. He rested, he worked out and he earned the f