Harper makes his pitch for a spot in Nationals bullpen
Harper makes his pitch for a spot in Nationals bullpen
Pete Kerzel
Nationals
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - In some ways, Ryne Harper is like the new kid in class. The proverbial new kid doesn't know where the library is, isn't sure who to sit with at lunch and stands alone at the bus stop. Harper might be new to the Nationals, traded from the Twins on Jan. 29 in exchange for minor league right-hander Hunter McMahon, but the 30-year-old who reached the majors for the first time last season is not new to changing teams. This is the third time he's done so in his career....
Injury updates, utility competition, Harvey and Cervenka
Injury updates, utility competition, Harvey and Cervenka
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
BRADENTON, Fla. - Orioles manager Brandon Hyde broke out a sheet of paper this morning with the list of players who are recovering from injuries and illnesses and the next stages of their individual progressions. Too many names and tasks to memorize with so many other activities happening at the complex. Hunter Harvey, who's been able to shake his flu-like symptoms, threw a simulated game today in Sarasota. Kohl Stewart (biceps) and Alex Wells (oblique) are throwing in the bullpen Saturday....
Martinez on Cabrera, Zimmerman, Elías and Soto (Nats lose 8-1)
Martinez on Cabrera, Zimmerman, Elías and Soto (Nats lose 8-1)
Pete Kerzel
Nationals
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Ryan Zimmerman came through his first Grapefruit League game Thursday night unscathed and Nationals manager Davey Martinez expects to have the veteran first baseman back in the lineup tomorrow when the club travels to Jupiter to play the Cardinals. "Typical soreness," Martinez said, "but he said he made it through." Zimmerman has come a long way as a first basemen, learning the position from former teammate Adam LaRoche during spring training 2014 in Viera and taking...
Brett Hollander to join Orioles broadcast team
Brett Hollander to join Orioles broadcast team
Doug Miller
Orioles
The Orioles today announced that Brett Hollander, former host of the Brett Hollander Show on WBAL Radio, will join the Orioles broadcast team in 2020, appearing on both MASN and the Orioles Radio Network throughout the season. Hollander joins the broadcast team following the conclusion of his agreement with WBAL Radio last week. He will appear as a special guest on MASN and the Orioles Radio Network during Monday's broadcasts. A lifelong Baltimore resident, Hollander began covering the Orioles...
Davis expects Astros discipline to be "handed out between the lines"
Davis expects Astros discipline to be "handed out between the lines"
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - As the Orioles' player representative, Chris Davis is ready to offer an opinion on the Astros cheating scandal, the punishments handed down and how opponents might deal with it. "I think the discipline that the players are going to get this year is going to be very interesting, and I say that meaning that a lot of that is going to be handed out between the lines," Davis said. "Obviously, what went on was awful for the game, for the fans, just for everybody involved. But it...
Orioles lineup vs. Pirates
Orioles lineup vs. Pirates
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - Rule 5 pick Brandon Bailey gets his first start today, as the Orioles travel to Bradenton to play the Pirates in a 1:05 p.m. game. Bailey pitched in relief in Sunday's home opener against the Red Sox and allowed one run and three hits with no walks and two strikeouts over two innings. Yusniel Diaz makes his spring debut today as the designated hitter. Dwight Smith Jr. is leading off, followed by Hanser Alberto. Ryan Mountcastle moves to first base after playing left field in...
Lineups: Rays vs. Nats in West Palm Beach
Lineups: Rays vs. Nats in West Palm Beach
Pete Kerzel
Nationals
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Stephen Strasburg gets his first start of Grapefruit League play this afternoon, and you'll be able to watch the right-hander battle the Rays on MASN at 1 p.m. Given that it's about a three-hour trek from the Rays' spring home in Port Charlotte on the state's west coast, there will only be a few major leaguers in the lineup facing Strasburg. So the first couple of innings will be the best chance to gauge Strasburg's effectiveness against actual major league...
Hearing from Scherzer, Martinez after 5-5 tie
Hearing from Scherzer, Martinez after 5-5 tie
Pete Kerzel
Nationals
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - For his second Grapefruit League start, Max Scherer had simple goals. He wanted to build up his pitch count, and succeeded, throwing 49 pitches over three innings. He hoped to display better glove-side location with his fastball, something he and catcher Kurt Suzuki had talked about between starts. Those were the things Scherzer could plan for. It was what he couldn't have anticipated - and what looked like a momentary loss of command during a top of the first that...
Yusniel Diaz is healthy again and trying to stay that way
Yusniel Diaz is healthy again and trying to stay that way
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - Yusniel Diaz arrived in Orioles camp with the other position players and had his mind set on making the opening day roster. Making the jump from Double-A and sticking the landing. The sticking point, however, has been another health issue that's delayed his first appearance in an exhibition game. Diaz noticed some discomfort in his left shoulder while taking batting practice a few days before the opener. Nothing to concern Diaz or the organization, but also nothing that a...
Outfielder Cedric Mullins gets off to a strong start in camp
Outfielder Cedric Mullins gets off to a strong start in camp
Steve Melewski
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - He was the Orioles' Minor League Player of the Year in 2018 and their starting center fielder on opening day in 2019. But in 2020, Cedric Mullins is out to prove he can still play and still be a key part of the O's future. In August 2018, Adam Jones moved to right field with Mullins taking over in center with the veteran's blessing. But Mullins hit just .094 (6-for-64) to start last season and he held the job in center field for just 22 games. After hitting .205 in 66 games...