Predictions on opening day rosters keep placing Anthony Santander in right field, which seems logical at the moment. The action on him over the winter didn't produce a trade and the Orioles aren't trying to dump him. That isn't the point. They'll listen to any offers on any players, as they should. It would be foolish to screen calls or hang up. You can't operate with closed minds while open for business. If Santander can fetch a prospect or two while his salary rises beyond $2 million and...

Slowly but surely, the Nationals are putting a team on the field that resembles the one we'll see in April. And today's game against the Mets might feature the closest yet. The lineup is full of regulars, with the added twist of Ryan Zimmerman at first base. And with Victor Robles again leading off, that creates a whole lot of depth. To wit: Starlin Castro is batting seventh in this arrangement. That's an awfully good No. 7 hitter. Davey Martinez does have Trea Turner batting second, ahead...

In a short 2020 season filled with frustrating loses, the Nationals' Sept. 20 doubleheader opener in Miami was especially agonizing. The seven-inning game was tied 1-1 in the bottom of the sixth when Max Scherzer loaded the bases with two outs, then thought he was out of the jam when he got Starling Marte to ground to third on his 119th pitch of the afternoon, only to watch in horror as Eric Thames dropped Carter Kieboom's low throw. That sequence was so emblematic of the Nats' disappointing...

Just like an umpire that is sometimes not noticed until a missed call, a third base coach can be lost in the background. Until something goes wrong on the bases, like a runner being cut down at the plate. The Orioles have a new third base coach this year. Tony Mansolino, 38, is the youngest member of the Baltimore coaching staff and he doubles as infield instructor. He comes to the club after spending 10 years in the Cleveland organization. He spent the first five seasons with the Indians, from...

The Orioles aren't playing this afternoon and get to enjoy a legitimate off-day, however it's done with pandemic restrictions. That's a long time to sit in a hotel room. No intrasquad nonsense that removes the "off" from their day. A few pitchers will be allowed inside the complex to throw. Otherwise, stay away and find something safe to do. There isn't much risk digging into my mailbag, unless I suffer a virtual paper cut. I'll try again to respond to the questions that are asked on a...

Orioles left-hander John Means made it through the first inning today. Manager Brandon Hyde stayed in the dugout. There were no surprises or unexpected visits. The rest of his day can be categorized as getting in his work in spring training. Means was on the verge of watching the second inning roll over, with the Pirates scoring three runs and extending him to 27 pitches in the Orioles' 13-1 loss in Bradenton. He came out at 48 pitches after issuing a leadoff walk in the third. Hyde removed...

After his second spring training start, Orioles lefty John Means said his inability to put hitters away when he got to two-strike counts was an issue for him today. He allowed four runs in two innings plus against the Pirates in Bradenton. After working around a one-out double during a scoreless 14-pitch last of the first today, Means allowed three runs in the Pittsburgh second inning. Kevin Newman singled to right with one out and Dustin Fowler was hit by a fastball that bore in on his hands....

Jon Lester is flying back to West Palm Beach, Fla., today and is expected to be back in Nationals camp Monday to resume his preparation for the season following successful surgery to remove his thyroid gland. Manager Davey Martinez said the prognosis on Lester's thyroidectomy, performed Friday in New York, were "very encouraging" and the veteran left-hander should be fine to pick up where he left off upon leaving camp the middle of last week. "He'll be with us tomorrow," Martinez said...

Cedric Mullins and Austin Hays are sharing the outfield for this afternoon's game against the Pirates in Bradenton, Fla. Manager Brandon Hyde is giving Hays back-to-back starts, putting him in left field today. Mullins is in center. Two catchers also are in the lineup, with Pedro Severino used as the designated hitter and Chance Sisco stationed behind the plate. Severino caught last night. Yusniel Diaz is in right field after his two-run double last night. Jahmai Jones is the second...

It will not be a problem for the Orioles - well, maybe a good one - if both Austin Hays and Cedric Mullins play well throughout the spring. There are easy ways, with the DH spot, to get both of them in the same lineup. The Orioles could, for instance, start Hays in left and Mullins in center with Anthony Santander in right and Trey Mancini and Ryan Mountcastle at first and DH. You would have to think that many days the leadoff hitter could be followed by Mancini, Mountcastle or Santander. But...