The bullpen game today in Sarasota began with veteran changeup artist César Valdez retiring the last seven batters that he faced. He was done for the afternoon and ready to change clothes when Trey Mancini and Maikel Franco hit two-run homers in the bottom of the third inning. Dillon Tate followed Valdez to the mound and retired only two batters, three other relievers pitched and Adley Rutschman doubled in his first at-bat in the Orioles' 4-3 win over the Rays. Now, back to the...

He might be the most versatile Orioles pitcher. Right-hander César Valdez could pitch in late relief or long relief. He could start the game. He could serve as an opener. He's ready for anything. Today, he was the starter and pitched three innings at Ed Smith Stadium against the defending American League East champion Tampa Bay Rays. And his outing got better as he went on. Valdez was leaving many of his pitches up in the top of the first and Tampa Bay was putting good swings on them....

The Orioles continue to step up their game in the international market. The club today announced plans to develop a new, state-of-the-art training academy in Guerra, Dominican Republic. The 22.5-acre complex will be home to the Orioles' Dominican player development operations, which will include three full fields, a sports-turf agility field, batting and pitching tunnels, administrative buildings, dormitories and educational facilities. The Guerra project is set to begin construction in April...

Four days ago, Davey Martinez was asked if Starlin Castro had taken any grounders at third base this spring. The Nationals manager had a succinct but sly response. "No," Martinez said Friday. "So far, it's just been second. So far." Whether he knew at that moment the answer was about to change, or whether he only knew it might change, it did indeed change. Castro began taking grounders at third base over the weekend. And this afternoon, he's starting at the hot corner in the Nationals'...

As the Orioles continue to strengthen their international presence, the club today announced plans to develop a new, state-of-the-art training academy in Guerra, Dominican Republic. The 22.5-acre complex will be home to the Orioles' Dominican player development operations, which will include three full fields, a sports turfed agility field, batting and pitching tunnels, administrative buildings, dormitories, and educational facilities. "We have made tremendous strides over the last couple of...

It's crunch time now, the final week of camp, when big decisions need to be made. And for the Nationals, there may be no bigger decision to make than at third base. All winter and all spring, they have made it clear Carter Kieboom is their guy, so much so that to date they hadn't had Starlin Castro or Luis García take grounders at third, just in case. Well, take a look at today's lineup against the Cardinals and look who's at third: Castro. We'll be hearing from manager Davey Martinez...

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde is starting Adley Rutschman behind the plate this afternoon, probably no coincidence with the game versus Tampa Bay airing on MASN. Rutschman, the No. 2 prospect in baseball, is batting seventh ahead of left fielder Austin Hays. Cedric Mullins is leading off and playing center again. Trey Mancini is the first baseman, appearing in the lineup on back-to-back days. Maikel Franco returns to the lineup today for his second game after signing a one-year contract. The...

Would you believe it's the final week of spring training? That's right. The Nationals have only seven more days in West Palm Beach, Fla., before heading north. Opening night is tantalizingly close now. The question, of course, is: Are the Nats ready? And the answer is: not quite. There are several matters that still need to be sorted out before the end of camp. Players must prove they deserve to make the roster. The front office and coaching staff must decide who makes it and who doesn't....

The vision of a broad and impactful presence internationally, as outlined by Mike Elias after his hiring by the Orioles as executive vice president and general manager in November 2018, stretches beyond the players who are pursued and signed. The Orioles also are serious about the way they're trained and treated. The team announced today plans to develop a new state-of-the-art academy in Guerra, D.R. Construction is set to begin in the coming months and last 12-16 months before reaching...

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde could be dropping hints about his opening day lineup with some of the recent versions posted for exhibition games. Though the usual warning is attached about never reading too much into a lineup. That warning softens as the weeks melt in the Florida heat. Hyde keeps finding ways to start Cedric Mullins and Austin Hays in the same outfield. Hays relocates to left or right, and the early narrative about a center field competition or platoon also turns into a...