Keys GM addresses the team's lease situation
Keys GM addresses the team's lease situation
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Here is an update on the Frederick Keys and their lease situation. Last week, the city of Frederick released a request for proposals for use of Harry Grove Stadium for the 2012 season. Those proposals must be submitted to the city by April 15. The Keys, who have minor league territorial rights to Frederick and Montgomery counties, are the only affiliated team that can file a proposal to play there. But an independent league team could and it appears an Atlantic League team could file a...
Scene and heard at Ed Smith Stadium
Scene and heard at Ed Smith Stadium
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - Scene from the clubhouse this morning: Terry Crowley talking hitting while standing with Vladimir Guerrero and Felix Pie. Another scene: Mark Reynolds, Luke Scott and Nolan Reimold sitting at Brady Anderson's locker after the former Orioles outfielder finished working out. A scene that took place behind closed doors, so I didn't actually witness it: Hall of Famer Frank Robinson talking to the team before the workout. His retired number hangs on a wall. Brandon Snyder...
Read, Novas highlight 16 international signings by Nationals
Read, Novas highlight 16 international signings by Nationals
Pete Kerzel
Nationals
The Washington Nationals have agreed to terms on professional contracts with 16 international free agents, highlighted by catcher Raudy Read and outfielder Randy Novas. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo and Nationals Director of International Scouting Johnny DiPuglia made the joint announcement. Read was signed out of the Dominican Republic and has great instincts behind the plate, including exceptional hands, feet and arm strength. The...
Roberts taking another day off
Roberts taking another day off
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - Brian Roberts said his neck is feeling better, but he'll get more treatments today and bypass the workout. Roberts is hoping to take the field again tomorrow or Saturday. X-rays taken on Roberts' neck yesterday were negative. "I'm just trying to get it calmed down," he said. Former Orioles David Segui and Paul Bako are in camp today. Vladimir Guerrero still has his goatee. It's been a slow morning, but at least the clubhouse was open to the media for an hour. It...
Honorary bat girl contest opens for Nationals fans
Honorary bat girl contest opens for Nationals fans
Pete Kerzel
Nationals
Major League Baseball® and Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, the world's largest breast cancer organization, recently launched the 2011 Honorary Bat Girl Contest, a campaign to recognize baseball fans who have been affected by breast cancer and have demonstrated a commitment to eradicating the disease. Washington Nationals fans ages 18 and older can go online at www.honorarybatgirl.com to share inspirational stories about themselves or loved ones who are...
So what about Detwiler and Maya?
So what about Detwiler and Maya?
Byron Kerr
Nationals
A lot of talk has centered around John Lannan, Jason Marquis, Livan Hernandez, Tom Gorzelanny and Jordan Zimmermann as the potential five starters for the Nationals when the season gets going past the off-days early in April. Making it interesting, though, is the potential of Ross Detwiler and Yunesky Maya. Detwiler is returning from a nagging hip injury, and Maya is learning on the job after his quick introduction to the big leagues late last season. Nationals pitching coach Steve McCatty...
Post-workout notes
Post-workout notes
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - Rick VandenHurk will follow Jeremy Guthrie to the mound in the second exhibition game. Left-hander Zach Britton will replace Justin Duchscherer in the third game. Manager Buck Showalter doesn't seem overly concerned about second baseman Brian Roberts' neck. "Muscle spasm. Nothing other than that. Trapezius. Is that right? Day-to-day," Showalter said. "They didn't see any disk issues or anything. It is what it is. We've all woke up with a stiff neck." Showalter...
Roberts downplays neck issue
Roberts downplays neck issue
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - It appears that Brian Roberts is fine and only dealing with some stiffness in his neck after leaving camp this morning and undergoing X-rays. Roberts will continue to receive treatment. He's unsure whether he'll return to the field tomorrow, which makes him day-to-day. "Just a stiff neck," he said, downplaying the situation when approached by reporters. "We've probably all had a stiff neck at some point in our life, right? I'm not overly concerned." True, but we...
Callis feels O's best move is for Britton to start at Triple-A
Callis feels O's best move is for Britton to start at Triple-A
Steve Melewski
Orioles
In an interview, Baseball America's Jim Callis talked about Zach Britton's readiness to pitch in the major leagues. But Callis believes the Orioles' best move is for Britton to begin this season back in the minor leagues. "I think he is ready for the big leagues. He has no obvious weakness and did get in 12 starts last year at Triple-A and pitched well," Callis said. "That said, the Orioles have no shot at contending this year, so from a team standpoint, I don't think it makes any sense...
Lee could take BP Friday (updated)
Lee could take BP Friday (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - First baseman Derrek Lee is hoping to take batting practice on the field Friday after being restricted to hitting soft tosses in the cage during the first days of the full-squad workouts. Lee, three months removed from surgery to repair a torn ligament in his thumb, won't take BP with the team. The veteran will take his swings against one of the minor league coaches. Earlier today, Lee stood in the cage but kept the bat on his shoulder while Brad Bergesen threw live batting...