SARASOTA, Fla. - Miguel Castro took a few steps away from his spring training locker this morning, raised his head and smiled. The local media crew was approaching. He knew that he'd be recounting an incident that terrified him, that had him wondering if he'd live through it. But he still managed a smile. No one was happier to be in camp than Castro, who survived an armed robbery last month in his native Dominican Republic that cost him only a couple of chains. "I'm just thankful to God for...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Within the one hour of clubhouse access granted to the media this morning, Orioles pitchers and catchers already had reported in abundance and more were walking through the doors. The roll call included Alex Cobb, John Means and Asher Wojciechowski, who figure to comprise three-fifths of the rotation on opening day. Also present were Rule 5 picks Brandon Bailey and Michael Rucker, who sat at their lockers in a far corner of the clubhouse and chatted for most of the hour. Also...

First base is a coveted spot in the Nationals organization, especially with Ryan Zimmerman not an everyday player anymore and the club using the likes of veterans Howie Kendrick and Eric Thames at that spot. Former Florida State standout Drew Mendoza has a shot to turn some heads in the near future and become that top candidate for a corner infield spot, similar to the track Carter Kieboom is hoping to attain at third base this season. Baseball America Nats correspondent Lacy Lusk says the Nats...

We've reached the final countdown to spring training, so we're counting down the most important storylines surrounding the Nationals this spring. We continue today with the search for Anthony Rendon's replacement at third base ... When Bryce Harper departed for Philadelphia one year ago, the Nationals knew exactly how they intended to account for his loss. They had three starting outfielders already in house, and most importantly, they were confident Juan Soto could make up the offensive...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The real work is about to begin. Pitchers, catchers and position players choosing to report early will be arriving later today at the Ed Smith Stadium complex, where the temperature will climb back into the 80s. Physicals must be passed, and that includes the yearly eye exams. (That last part was aimed at the "he needs glasses" crowd. Everyone gets their vision tested.) The front office contingent headed to Florida without a veteran starting pitcher - executive vice...

Orioles outfielder Austin Hays has had an interesting ride since the club drafted him out of Jacksonville University in round three of the 2016 First-Year Player Draft. A huge 2017 season and he was a finalist for national Player of the Year by Baseball America. Atlanta's Ronald Acuña Jr. was the winner. But parts of Hays' 2018 and 2019 seasons were impacted by injuries and his stats fell off. Who knew what to expect when Hays got a callup to the Orioles last Sept. 7? But over 75 plate...

It's been a dreary winter. Not as long as most offseasons, given the fact that the Nationals won the World Series, delaying until Halloween the beginning of the dearth of the national pastime. But months on end without baseball has a way of dragging you down. But a new season began this week when pitchers and catchers reported to spring training in West Palm Beach, Fla. In no time, the exhibition games will be replaced by meaningful battles as other teams take aim at the Nats, baseball's new...

After capturing the franchise's first World Series championship, the Nationals are preparing to defend their crown. Fans coming to Nationals Park during this special season will be treated to several World Series-themed promotions and another exciting National League East Division race. The Washington Nationals are thrilled to announce the team's full 2020 promotional calendar, which can be found online at nationals.com/Promotions! Single game tickets for all 2020 regular season games,...

We've reached the final countdown to spring training, so we're counting down the most important storylines surrounding the Nationals this spring. We continue today with the lineup decisions Davey Martinez must make ... It's surprise quiz time, folks. Do you remember who batted leadoff for the Nationals on opening day last season? Who hit sixth? Who hit eighth? (No peeking allowed.) Do you know the answer? You'll be forgiven if you forgot that Adam Eaton was the Nats' first batter of 2019,...

FREDERICK, Md. - Orioles vice president and assistant general manager of analytics Sig Mejdal, said it was a fair observation. That is, there was more technology for pitchers than for hitters in the Orioles farm system last season. The hitters were not without some data and technology to help them try to get better. But pitchers had more. That showed in some of the results. Of the Orioles' top six farm teams, four clubs led their leagues in ERA in 2019. That was at Double-A Bowie, Single-A...