With only three weeks of summer training and only a few intrasquad or exhibition games to make evaluations, the Nationals are probably going to have to make their choice for No. 5 starter more off old information than anything they see right now. Still, Erick Fedde's chances for winning the job could only have improved Wednesday night, given the right-hander's performance against teammates in an intrasquad game. Starting for the visiting red team opposite Stephen Strasburg and the white team,...

The Orioles appear to have made a couple of important roster decisions as they approach opening day. The club announced tonight that it purchased the contracts of left-handers Wade LeBlanc and Tommy Milone, who are likely to be included on the pitching staff that breaks summer training camp. LeBlanc is in line to be the No. 3 starter after signing a minor league deal on Feb. 1. Milone could be slotted as the fourth or fifth starter or be used in a long relief/swingman role. Either way, he also...

As Stephen Strasburg took the mound, "Seven Nation Army" blared over the public address system. The sort-of-familiar din of crowd noise could be heard in the background. And then as the leadoff batter stepped to the plate, there was Jerome Hruska's voice booming throughout Nationals Park, introducing "the shortstop ... Trea Turner!" as the crowd cheered. And then tonight's intrasquad game began, and a team of Nationals dressed in red jerseys beat a team dressed in white jerseys 4-0 in...

After the entire team had departed West Palm Beach and spread throughout North America, the Nationals coaching staff was left to figure out what to tell each player to do to stay sharp until everyone could gather together again. The staff had to do this without having any idea when or where baseball would resume. And that meant nobody faced a challenge as difficult as Paul Menhart, the Nationals pitching coach tasked with creating and communicating the plan to several dozen pitchers. At the...

Beyond their coaches, big league hitters sometimes have someone else close to them they trust to help with their swing. It can be a friend, family member or even a player on another team. Orioles infielder Pat Valaika has his own hitting coach in his family. Valaika, 27, is one of five children, and his oldest brother, Chris, played four seasons in the majors with three clubs. Now he's the minor league hitting coordinator for the Chicago Cubs. "During the quarantine he lived in Arizona and...

The Orioles closed yesterday's workout by again simulating an extra-inning situation. A runner on second base and no outs. Pressure applied to the hitters and the defense. Be satisfied with an RBI or a putout, depending on your point of view. John Means wasn't subjected to the same treatment during Tuesday's night's intrasquad game - it was reserved for the four relievers - but the Orioles demonstrated one technique for scoring in a similar situation. Chance Sisco led off the fifth inning...

The Orioles didn't play an intrasquad game today, devoting the hours on the field to live batting practice and workout drills. Alex Cobb threw live BP after John Means started last night. Wade LeBlanc is expected to pitch Thursday night to stay in line for the opening series in Boston. Anthony Santander stood in the box against Cobb and appeared to be tracking pitches rather than hunting for something to hit. He did the same from the right side against Rob Zastryzny. Also throwing today during...

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert, is a baseball nut. His voice fills with excitement talking about the Nationals' World Series title. His coronavirus mask is covered with Nationals logos. An autographed Patrick Corbin jersey hangs in his D.C. home. And even though a deadly coronavirus outbreak has hammered the United States and caused Major League Baseball to reduce this season's schedule to 60 games played in stadiums with no fans, hope springs eternal with...

Orioles outfielder Anthony Santander, made available earlier today to the media, confirmed that he tested positive to COVID-19 after arriving in Baltimore for the intake process and was quarantined for two weeks. Santander said he had "mild" symptoms, which included a low fever, and considers himself lucky. "Now I'm healthy, I'm not contagious, happy to be back on the field with my teammates and ready to work out," Santander said during a Zoom conference call, answering most questions...

We are 12 days into summer training at Nationals Park, and we're now only eight days from opening night against the Yankees. (Wow, that happened quick, didn't it?) Though they've accomplished a lot over these last 12 days, the Nationals still have a lot to straighten out before they're playing for real. That includes getting Juan Soto, Victor Robles and Howie Kendrick in camp for the first time. It includes lineup decisions, rotation decisions and 30-man roster decisions. I know it's been...