The Nationals remain hopeful Stephen Strasburg will be able to make his next start after straining his left calf Sunday but are preparing contingency plans in case he needs more time to heal. Strasburg is scheduled to receive treatment at the club's complex in West Palm Beach, Fla., today, after which he and the Nationals medical staff will decide whether he can attempt to play catch and test his leg. If everything appears fine, he would then likely progress to throwing off a mound, where the...

Sure, there are some big-name Nationals starting today against the Cardinals in Jupiter. Max Scherzer is on the mound. Trea Turner, Juan Soto and Ryan Zimmerman are in the lineup. But let's talk about the guy who is making his 2021 Grapefruit League debut, because I have a hunch some fans are more excited to watch him than anyone else: Gerardo Parra. Yes, the Baby Shark is back at last. After needing some extra time to get himself into shape following knee surgery last fall, Parra is ready to...

Rio Ruiz has returned to the Orioles' lineup today, playing third base and batting seventh against the Pirates in Sarasota. Richie Martin isn't in the lineup, but could enter the game later. He's recovered from surgery in January to remove a broken left hamate bone and got some at-bats yesterday. Austin Hays is in left field again, with Cedric Mullins in center. Trey Mancini is the first baseman. Pat Valaika is the second baseman. Matt Harvey is making his second start after his three-inning...

With the Orioles working out the final details on a deal with free agent third baseman Maikel Franco, their pursuit intensifying late last night, according to an industry source, there are dominos set up to fall upon his arrival. The 40-man roster is full and a major league deal, pending a physical, would require a corresponding move. Rio Ruiz's future in the organization is in question. He could share the position with Franco, which limits the number of super-utility players able to travel...

Today we wrap up our look around Birdland with the four general managers of the Orioles' full-season minor league affiliates. Today I check in with Chris Bitters, the GM since November 2006 of the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds. The Shorebirds begin their 120-game schedule in the 12-team Low-A East League on May 4 with the season running through Sept. 19. The recent announcement that sports facilities in Maryland can host fans at up to 50 percent of capacity was met with big enthusiasm by minor...

Though the Orioles seemed more inclined to pass on the remaining free agents and wait for camp cuts or opt-outs, they're trying to work out a deal with third baseman Maikel Franco. A source confirmed today that the Orioles have an offer on the table. MLB Network's Jon Heyman reported that the sides are getting close. The Orioles definitely are trying to get Franco, which blows up roster predictions for opening day. Third base is the one unsettled position in camp. Rio Ruiz entered it as the...

When Davey Martinez saw Stephen Strasburg's plant leg buckle as he threw a 3-1 curveball to Jose Altuve, he knew something was up. And by the time the Nationals manager reached the mound to confer with his right-hander, he'd already made the decision that Strasburg's second spring training start was over. "It was really not much of a discussion," Martinez said via Zoom after the Nationals' 5-0 loss to the Astros on Sunday afternoon. "Just wanted to pinpoint exactly what he was feeling....

After giving up three runs in his first spring start, Orioles right-hander Dean Kremer has now put together back-to-back solid outings. He went three innings this afternoon against the Detroit Tigers in Lakeland. After his outing he talked about his day and how his friendship with another young pitcher is helping both of them. Kremer came into this game off a scoreless outing his last time out. On March 9 he gave up just one hit over three innings against Minnesota. Today he faced five batters...

Richie Martin is advancing to an important stage in his recovery from hamate bone surgery. He's expected in Monday's lineup against the Pirates. Manager Brandon Hyde said today that Martin is getting at-bats in Sarasota and should play the following day. Martin underwent surgery in January to remove the bone, cutting into his bid to make the club in a utility-type role. He missed the truncated 2020 season due to a broken bone in his right wrist. "If he's good to go, he'll be in there...

Davey Martinez's morning Zoom session with reporters was delayed about 35 minutes so the Nationals manager could watch left-hander Jon Lester throw live batting practice, an important step after returning to camp following surgery to remove one of his parathyroid glands. "He threw 37 pitches, two innings. He looked good," Martinez said of Lester, who returned to spring training in West Palm Beach earlier this week after surgery on March 5 in New York. "He was about 75, 80 percent. The ball...