WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Nationals are fielding a lineup loaded with regulars tonight. Well, loaded with healthy regulars. A few guys who normally would be playing remain sidelined with nagging ailments. The list includes Adam Eaton, who departed Tuesday's game with a tight left hamstring. The veteran right fielder apparently didn't think the injury was serious and only came out of the game after mentioning it to teammate Howie Kendrick, who then informed manager Davey Martinez. Martinez...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles lefty pitching prospect Keegan Akin made his second spring start and third appearance this afternoon. He touched 94 mph with his fastball and threw some nice changeups as he went 2 2/3 innings allowing one run against the Twins at Ed Smith Stadium. Were he at minor league camp at Twin Lakes Park, Akin might be, as they say, getting his work in. But here at big league camp for the first time, after being added to the 40-man in November, he is trying to earn a rotation...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Hello once again from FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. It's good to be back after a brief trip home. Thanks as always to Pete Kerzel for filling in during my break. I'll be here the rest of camp, and hopefully things start to ramp up soon as opening day inches closer. The Nationals, who just enjoyed their first of two days off this spring, are back at it tonight with a lineup loaded with regulars. In fact, this may well give us a clue about Davey Martinez's...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles reliever Evan Phillips underwent an MRI on his sore right elbow this week and was sent out today for a second opinion. Phillips struggled in his debut against the Rays on Feb. 23 with three runs and two walks in two-thirds of an inning. He registered a scoreless inning against the Braves three days later with a walk and strikeout. "We gave him an MRI. It showed OK. Mild," said manager Brandon Hyde. "He's seeing a second opinion and it's going on today. That's why...

Paul Mancano sits down with Bowie Baysox manager Buck Britton in Sarasota.

Bobby Blanco and Paul Mancano discuss the battle for the Nats' fifth starter spot.

Paul Mancano and Bobby Blanco discuss the Orioles' evolving rotation battle, and Paul sits with O's director of baseball development Eve Rosenbaum.

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles left-hander Tommy Milone played catch on flat ground yesterday and is waiting to be cleared to throw a simulated game. Milone was supposed to start Tuesday against the Nationals in West Palm, but the Orioles kept him back in Sarasota. He would have worked the equivalent of three innings at the complex. Discomfort in the trapezius/neck area is preventing Milone from pitching. His only start came on Feb. 27 against the Pirates and resulted in two scoreless innings. "We...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Brandon Bailey no longer is starting today's game against the Twins in Sarasota, with a scheduling change putting left-hander Keegan Akin on the mound. We're told that Bailey is fine physically. The Orioles just made a switch. Hanser Alberto is starting at shortstop today. José Iglesias was scratched yesterday with cramping in his quadriceps muscle, but said he's fine and could have played this afternoon. Dilson Herrera is the second baseman. Ryan Mountcastle is in left...

SARASOTA, Fla. - In the 2018 season on the farm, lefty John Means pitched to a 3.72 ERA between Double-A and Triple-A, with a 1.26 WHIP and .268 opponent average against. In 2019 - in the major leagues - he pitched better. He posted a 3.60 ERA, a 1.14 WHIP and a .234 average against. That ERA was the lowest by a Baltimore starter since Wei-Yin Chen posted a 3.34 mark in 2015. That ERA would have ranked seventh in the American League if Means had thrown seven more innings to qualify for league...