Strasburg, Corbin, Zimmerman not playing yet (Nats win 2-1)
Strasburg, Corbin, Zimmerman not playing yet (Nats win 2-1)
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - They aren't holding anybody back because of injury, but the Nationals are easing a few of their veterans into game action this spring, most notably members of their rotation. Stephen Strasburg and Patrick Corbin won't make a start the first time through the rotation this week, instead throwing live batting practice one more time before debuting in a Grapefruit League game. "It's all putting them in a controlled environment, where they can slow down if they want to,"...
Notes on LeBlanc, Rule 5 guys, Davis, Velazquez and more
Notes on LeBlanc, Rule 5 guys, Davis, Velazquez and more
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles left-hander Wade LeBlanc will try to go two innings this afternoon, as Chandler Shepherd and Ty Blach did yesterday in North Port. Manager Brandon Hyde has watched the left-hander in bullpen and live batting practice sessions, but today's game provides a truer evaluation. "He's just a veteran guy that knows how to pitch, that can command pitches," Hyde said. "He's had a good changeup and a good cutter for years. His first outing in a game and I'm sure he's...
Trey Mancini on approach in early spring games
Trey Mancini on approach in early spring games
Steve Melewski
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - As he is about to begin his fourth full season in the majors, the Orioles' Trey Mancini is way past the days of trying to make an impression in camp to win a job. He's got one that is secure and doesn't need to worry about taking any spring training 0-fers. He'll see his first spring action today, batting second in right field against Boston in a game that will be televised live on MASN. So has his spring training approach to get ready for a season changed, now that his...
Split-squad lineups: Nats vs. Astros and Marlins
Split-squad lineups: Nats vs. Astros and Marlins
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Good news: The skies have cleared, the rain is long gone and it should be a beautiful day for baseball. So beautiful, the Nationals are going to play two - at the same time. It's a split-squad day, with half of the guys staying home to face the Astros again while the other half of the roster goes to Jupiter to face the Marlins. t'll be our first opportunity to see two of the pitchers battling for the No. 5 starter's job, with Austin Voth going up against the Astros...
Orioles lineup vs. Red Sox
Orioles lineup vs. Red Sox
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - Stevie Wilkerson is in center field this afternoon for the Orioles' home opener against the Red Sox. Hanser Alberto is leading off and playing second base. Catcher Pedro Severino is batting cleanup. Shortstop José Iglesias is making his debut. For the Orioles Hanser Alberto 2B Trey Mancini RF Chris Davis 1B Pedro Severino C Dwight Smith Jr. LF José Iglesias SS Rio Ruiz 3B Stevie Wilkerson CF Cedric Mullins DH Wade LeBlanc LHP Alex Cobb starts against the Phillies Monday...
Unable to replicate October vibe, Scherzer content with '20 debut
Unable to replicate October vibe, Scherzer content with '20 debut
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - If Max Scherzer has proven nothing else, it's that he'll never take the mound with anything less than 100 percent commitment to compete. Having said that, not all starts are created equal. And a start on Feb. 22 can never compare to a start on Oct. 30, even if the opponent is the same. "The last game I pitched was Game 7 of the World Series. And we're talking about spring training," Scherzer said Saturday night after making his 2020 exhibition debut. "So it's a...
Nats cheered, Astros booed during rained-out spring opener
Nats cheered, Astros booed during rained-out spring opener
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - They came to cheer the defending World Series champs and boo the runners up. And they did so at every possible opportunity. Any mention of the Nationals (technically, the visiting team) tonight in the Grapefruit League opener at FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches - a game that wound up getting canceled after two scoreless innings due to a persistent rain that would not go away - was met with rousing cheers from the thousands of red-clad fans who made their way down...
Rondón right in thick of utility competition
Rondón right in thick of utility competition
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - Absolutely nothing should be read into a spring training lineup in February. And the level of importance scrapes the bottom if it's an opener and played on the road. The Orioles kept most of their regulars back at the Ed Smith Stadium complex yesterday, including first baseman Chris Davis, shortstop José Iglesias, third baseman Rio Ruiz, infielder Hanser Alberto and outfielder Trey Mancini. Five catchers made the trip and Pedro Severino wasn't among them. I kept looking...
After season of improving pitches, Akin ready to put that to work
After season of improving pitches, Akin ready to put that to work
Steve Melewski
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles lefty pitching prospect Keegan Akin calls spring training "a great experience" so far. He's doing a lot of listening and learning. He's got a good clubhouse locker spot. He sits between 2019 American League All-Star John Means and right-hander Alex Cobb, a veteran of eight major league seasons and 146 starts. "That's a great seat. Can't get much better in my mind," Akin said. "Rookie All-Star and a vet like Cobb. I'm just a sponge. Absorb everything. Talk to...
Castillo has sore shoulder, plus other notes (game canceled)
Castillo has sore shoulder, plus other notes (game canceled)
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Nationals' first injury of the spring may not involve a member of the 40-man roster, but it does involve a veteran trying to squeeze his way onto the opening day roster. Welington Castillo, a catcher with 10 years of big league experience, was due to DH in tonight's Grapefruit League opener but was scratched with a sore right shoulder. Davey Martinez said Castillo approached him earlier today and informed him of the ailment. The manager didn't hesitate to give him...