SARASOTA, Fla. - Don't fall in love with spring training stats. Pretty sound advice, but what about a crush? Chris Davis is threatening to take back his old nickname. The first baseman with his 25 extra pounds of good weight hit his third home run this afternoon, a three-run shot to right-center field off former Orioles farmhand Stephen Tarpley. Davis walked in the first inning and flexed in the second, this time pulling the ball after taking aim at left and left-center in previous starts. He...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Growth can manifest itself in many forms, and sometimes it takes only a few inches to portend increased development of a young ballplayer. A few days ago, Nationals manager Davey Martinez was eyeballing a live batting practice session when he noticed something in the way one of the club's top prospects, infielder Luis García, was preparing to hit. Batting against a changeup pitcher, García took a fastball for a strike before subtly adjusting his stance. "Before...

SARASOTA, Fla. - As the pages of the calendar flip to a new month on Sunday, the chances of the Orioles bringing in a veteran starter could be moving further away from reality. Time is running out to get a pitcher ready for opening day and the preferred scenario doesn't include innings and arms built up in extended spring training. Manager Brandon Hyde must proceed as though he's got to choose from among the pitchers already in camp. "I think you have to," he said. "We go on the mindset...

JUPITER, Fla. - The Nationals are about to start getting a better look at the three pitchers who will form the back end of their bullpen in 2020. Closer Sean Doolittle and setup man Daniel Hudson, neither of whom has pitched in a Grapefruit League game this spring while manager Davey Martinez slow-plays them into action, are both nearing their debuts. Doolittle, a left-hander, has progressed through a side session, will get today off and is scheduled to pitch Sunday when the Nationals travel to...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Chris Davis is batting fifth today for a 1:05 p.m. game against the Marlins in Sarasota. Davis has reached base in seven of his eight plate appearances, with two singles and two home runs. Yusniel Diaz was the designated hitter yesterday and he's in left field this afternoon. Anthony Santander remains in the designated hitter role when he's in the lineup. Pedro Severino is catching. Pat Valaika, a super-utility candidates, is starting at second base. Left-hander Keegan Akin...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Richie Martin is blocked at shortstop and unsure whether he can claim second base or a utility job. He's no longer hearing how he should focus only on his defense at short and not worry about what he offers at the plate. Hold the gravy. Spring training 2020 certainly has a different feel and sound for Martin, the former Rule 5 pick who came within a home run yesterday of the cycle. Martin was allowed back at his old position while José Iglesias stayed in Sarasota for...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Coming off another strong minor league season, Orioles left-handed pitching prospect Zac Lowther is in big league camp for the first time. He's trying to soak up the experience, learn from the older players and show the staff what he can do when he gets his chance. He certainly has done that since the Orioles drafted him No. 74 overall in 2017 out of Xavier. In 61 career games he is 23-13 with a 2.26 ERA and 1.02 WHIP. The Orioles' co-Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2018...

JUPITER, Fla. - And then there was one. When Patrick Corbin toes the rubber at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium against the Cardinals this afternoon, he'll become the last of the Nationals starting pitchers to pitch in a Grapefruit League game. Manager Davey Martinez held back Corbin and Stephen Strasburg, who started yesterday against the Rays in West Palm Beach, as a way to compensate for the exceedingly long postseason that went through Oct. 30 and the club's victory over the Astros in the...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Ever the routine-oriented pragmatist, Stephen Strasburg found both good and bad in his first Grapefruit League start - and he took both in stride. The good: He retired the first four batters he faced in order, striking out three of them. The bad: The next four batters reached base, and Vidal Bruján's two-run double to center gave the Rays a 3-1 lead in the second inning en route to an 8-1 victory. Strasburg wasn't able to escape the second frame, manager Davey...

BRADENTON, Fla. - Austin Hays didn't have a seat on the team bus this morning, his workout schedule keeping him back in Sarasota while the Orioles made the 20-minute trek to play the Pirates. Ryan Mountcastle peeled away from his friend and handled first base and cleanup duties at LECOM Park. They both cleaned up yesterday at Ed Smith Stadium. Hays doubled twice and had two RBIs, made two diving catches and was on the front end of an 8-4-2 putout. Mountcastle doubled twice, hit a long home...