Josh Land

Marty Niland: Five reasons the Nationals offense should rebound in 2014

March 30, 2014, 1:48pm

Oh, the burdens of Washington sports fans' high expectations. Where else can a team be considered a failure when it completes its second straight winning season after seven straight years of finishing .500 or below? But that's how we roll in the nation's capital, where 86-76 isn't good enough, especially after the retiring manager proclaims "World Series or bust." After the national media jumped on the bandwagon, those expectations seemed to drag down down the Washington Nationals'...

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Andrew Stetka: For seamheads, opening day is packed with memories, optimism and hope

March 30, 2014, 12:46pm

Orioles

Andrew Stetka: For seamheads, opening day is packed with memories, optimism and hope

There's a good reason that Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith has teamed up with Anheuser-Busch this spring in an effort to make baseball's opening day a national holiday: It's got about everything a fan of the greatest game could want. The hope of a new season is upon us, seamheads. Even though three regular season games are already in the books, including two that were played in Australia, today is the real start of the Major League Baseball season. Dreams of high batting averages, low ERAs and a...

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Orioles make three roster moves

March 29, 2014, 1:16pm

Orioles

The Orioles today announced that they have optioned right-hander Kevin Gausman, left-hander T.J. McFarland and infielder Jemile Weeks to Triple-A Norfolk. With this move, the Orioles now have 32 players at major league spring training, including three non-roster invitees.

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Nationals finalize opening day 25-man roster

March 29, 2014, 10:59am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today placed right-handed pitcher Doug Fister on the 15-Day Disabled List, retroactive to March 23, with a right lat strain. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. With this move, the Nationals' 2014 Opening Day 25-Man Roster will consist of: Pitchers: * Left-hander Jerry Blevins * Left-hander Ross Detwiler * Left-hander Gio Gonzalez * Right-hander Aaron Barrett * Right-hander Tyler Clippard * Right-hander...

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Nationals-Tigers Exhibition Game at Nationals Park Canceled

March 29, 2014, 10:10am

Nationals

Today's Nationals-Tigers exhibition game scheduled to begin at 2:05 p.m. at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., has been canceled due to inclement weather. Fans with game tickets to today's canceled contest may exchange their tickets for any remaining regular or value home game during the 2014 regular season. Tickets cannot be exchanged for the April 4 home opener against the Braves. Exchanged tickets will be issued from available inventory in the closest pricing category of equal or lesser...

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Orioles make four roster moves

March 26, 2014, 1:04pm

Orioles

The Orioles today announced that they have optioned right-hander Steve Johnson and outfielder Henry Urrutia to Triple-A Norfolk, and reassigned outfielder Quintin Berry and infielder Alexi Casilla to minor league camp. With this move, the Orioles now have 36 players at major league spring training, including four non-roster invitees.

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Orioles announce opening day plans

March 26, 2014, 11:39am

Orioles

The Orioles have announced plans for the first home game of their 60th anniversary season, this Monday, March 31 at 3:05 p.m. against the Boston Red Sox. Pre-game fun around the Yard To allow fans the opportunity to experience the excitement of Opening Day, the entire ballpark will open at noon on Monday. Each fan will receive a 2014 schedule/car magnet at the gates. Roving musical groups will entertain fans on Eutaw Street and the main concourses. Pre-game ceremonies Player...

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Nationals sign Kevin Frandsen

March 26, 2014, 9:01am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today signed infielder/outfielder Kevin Frandsen to a Major League contract. Frandsen will join the Nationals' in time for Thursday's Grapefruit League finale at New York (NL). Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Frandsen is a career .259 (263-for-1015) hitter with 49 doubles, five triples, 14 home runs and 93 RBI in 402 big league contests spanning seven seasons with the Phillies, Angels and Giants....

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Throwback Thursday: 2013's best of the best

March 26, 2014, 7:14am

Orioles

Throwback Thursday: 2013's best of the best

After featuring highlight after highlight every Thursday, we have arrived to our final Throwback Thursday before the 2014 season begins. We've relived Adam Jones' game-winning home run off of Mariano Rivera, Manny Machado's jaw-dropping plays at third, Chris Davis' record-breaking homer and so much more. What better way to bring in a new season than by reliving all of the best moments from 2013... again? Enjoy the Orioles' top highlights from last season and remember O's fans, just...

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Throwback Thursday: The top moments from 2013

March 26, 2014, 6:44am

Nationals

Throwback Thursday: The top moments from 2013

From Bryce Harper's opening day show to Denard Span's hitting streak and so much more, last season was filled with so many memorable moments. I've spent every Thursday since October throwin' it back to these moments, and at last, we are at the final Thursday before opening day. I'm dedicating our last Throwback Thursday post to the best of the best from 2013. While you anxiously wait these last four days for the 2014 season to begin, relive last year's highlights in the video...

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Bird Talk: Duquette building winner, spring questions answered, impact prospect

March 25, 2014, 9:46am

Orioles

Bird Talk: Duquette building winner, spring questions answered, impact prospect

Five days. We will have regular season baseball starting on Monday, which is five days away. But before the Orioles open against the World Series champions the Boston Red Sox, make sure you catch up on any stories you might have missed on the Orioles from National writers. * Toward the end of last week, one of my favorite baseball writers Tyler Kepner of The New York Times, wrote a really nice column on the 2014 Orioles. Kepner starts his column by detailing executive vice president Dan...

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Nationals Chatter: Nats seek identity, LaRoche's popularity grows, Desmond contract and more

March 25, 2014, 8:15am

Nationals

This time next week, meaningful baseball will be played. That's right - in just five days, the regular season will be under way. You may have missed some stories from national outlets coming out of the last week of camp. Don't worry, I have you covered. * Several of the Nationals' core players have been together for many years. Many were part of the 2012 team that won the National League East title, but suffered a National League Division Series loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. Last...

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Orioles to host fourth annual All Faiths Food Drive on Thursday, March 27

March 24, 2014, 11:58am

Orioles

On Thursday, March 27, the Orioles will host the 4th annual All Faiths Food Drive to help people in need in the Sarasota area. All fans attending the 7:05 p.m. game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Ed Smith Stadium are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items and/or monetary donations to benefit the All Faiths Food Bank. Since 2011, 2,400 pounds of food and $3,500 in cash donations have been collected at the yearly food drive to help people in need in the Sarasota area. Last year, All Faiths...

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Today's Orioles-Red Sox exhibition game cancelled due to rain

March 24, 2014, 11:42am

Orioles

Today's Orioles-Red Sox game at Ed Smith Stadium has been cancelled due to rain. There will be no makeup date. Fans holding paid tickets for today's game may exchange their tickets for Thursday, March 27, the only remaining Spring Training game at Ed Smith Stadium, subject to availability, or obtain a refund. On non-game days, tickets may be exchanged at the stadium box office from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. On the day of a game, beginning two hours prior to game time, tickets may be exchanged for...

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MASN Orioles Official Contests and Sweepstakes Rules

March 24, 2014, 7:46am

MASN Orioles Official Contests and Sweepstakes Rules MASN Orioles Official Contest Rules THE FOLLOWING CONSTITUTES BASIC CONTEST RULES FOR ANY/ALL MASN CONTESTS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO CONTESTS EXECUTED THROUGH ON-AIR OR OFF-AIR, MASNSPORTS.COM, MASN SOCIAL MEDIA PROFILES, OR MASN'S MOBILE MESSAGE SERVICE. EACH CONTEST MAY HAVE ITS OWN SPECIAL RESTRICTIONS OR QUALIFICATIONS, IN WHICH CASE AN ADDENDUM TO THESE RULES WILL BE INCLUDED. IN ADDITION, THE DETAILS OF EACH SWEEPSTAKES, SUCH AS...

Washington Nationals to face Atlanta Braves on opening day at Nationals Park

March 24, 2014, 7:08am

Nationals

Pregame ceremonies will honor the Navy Yard community prior to the 2014 home opener The Washington Nationals will mark the start of the 2014 season at Nationals Park when the team faces the Atlanta Braves at 1:05 p.m. on Friday, April 4, 2014. The day's pregame events will pay tribute to those affected by last September's tragedy at the Washington Navy Yard, located just a few short blocks from Nationals Park. The Nationals will remember the lives lost and recognize the resolve and...

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#masnFirstPitch update

March 24, 2014, 7:03am

Nationals

It has been five days since we launched our #masnFirstPitch contest, which will give one lucky fan the opportunity to throw out the first pitch at the Nationals game on April 5. Have you tweeted your submission yet? If you haven't, don't worry. You still have eight more days to send a tweet to our @masnNationals account using #masnFirstPitch and tell us why you should throw out the first pitch. We've compiled some of our favorite tweets below: @masnNationals #masnFirstPitch I've...

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Orioles acquire infielder Steve Lombardozzi from Detroit in exchange for minor league infielder Alex Gonzalez

March 24, 2014, 5:32am

Orioles

The Orioles today announced that they have acquired infielder Steve Lombardozzi from Detroit in exchange for minor league infielder Alex Gonzalez. Lombardozzi, 25, is a .264/.297/.342 hitter in 755 plate appearances since 2011 with Washington, and a career .298/.369/.411 hitter in four minor league seasons. Acquired by Detroit with two other players in exchange for right-hander Doug Fister on December 2, 2013, Lombardozzi has played second base, third base, shortstop and the outfield for...

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Orioles make two roster moves

March 23, 2014, 1:31pm

Orioles

The Orioles today announced that they have optioned infielder David Adams to Triple-A Norfolk and reassigned catcher Caleb Joseph to minor league camp. With the moves, the Orioles now have 41 players at major league spring training, including seven non-roster invitees.

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Weekly Wrap: Simply Adam Jones days until opening day

March 20, 2014, 1:18pm

Orioles

Weekly Wrap: Simply Adam Jones days until opening day

I don't know if you follow us on Facebook or not, but we have been counting down the days until opening day through pictures, like the one to the right. Seeing these pictures makes me even more excited for opening day. Just 10 more days! While we're counting down, the Orioles are still in the process of making cuts and getting their roster whittled down for the start of the regular season. Although there was a lot of rain in Florida this week, Buck Showalter and the rest of the O's staff...