WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Andrés Chaparro will open the season on the injured list after an MRI today revealed a left oblique strain for the Nationals first baseman/designated hitter. Chaparro was taking batting practice Friday prior to the Nats’ game against the Braves in North Port when he felt a “jab” in his side on one swing. He immediately

BRADENTON, Fla. – The Orioles held pitchers fielding practice inside the ballpark this week in Sarasota. They took turns chasing soft ground balls that manager Brandon Hyde rolled near them, causing them to break left or right from the mound, and waited for a teammate to yell “first” or “third.” A reminder of those tedious drills came in the fourth

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Nationals are back on their own side of the state after a two-day jaunt to the Gulf Coast. And they’ll stay here until the end of camp, with every remaining game either in West Palm Beach, Jupiter or Port St. Lucie. Tonight, it’s the Mets coming to town, and they brought some of the big names with them. Yes, Juan Soto ma

BRADENTON, Fla. – Ramón Urías is out of the Orioles lineup for a third consecutive day as he recovers from a sore hamstring. Manager Brandon Hyde indicated that Urías’ return was imminent. “He went through a full day today,” Hyde said. “It got a little tight on him yesterday, but nothing to be concerned about. He should be back in a couple days. It

BRADENTON, Fla. – Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson provided an injury update this morning after making a quick stop at his locker, his first beat writer scrum since before he strained his right intercostal on Feb. 27. “I’m feeling good,” he said. “Been swinging, taking ground balls and stuff, so I’m on the right track, progressing.” The injury oc

It’s going to take a while to shake the odd feeling that arises upon seeing Anthony Santander trot onto the field in Blue Jays blue.  Santander waltzed onto the diamond as Baltimore’s opposition for the first time on Thursday. He’ll do it again on Opening Day after signing a five-year, $92.5 million deal with Toronto this offseason.  “First time in

NORTH PORT, Fla. – Alex Call believes in himself. Just as any professional athlete does, but maybe ratcheted up just a little extra. It’s what you have to do when you’re an undersized, non-first-round pick from Ball State who has had to earn his way onto every roster he’s ever played on. “Bottom line, I think I’m a good player and I think I’m capab

SARASOTA, Fla. – The Orioles are playing a doubleheader today if you count Spring Breakout, which follows the Grapefruit League game against the Pirates. The over-hyping makes me break out in a rash, but fans get a chance to see 21 of the top 30 prospects in the organization. Catcher Samuel Basallo leads the way, and outfielder Enrique Bradfield Jr

SARASOTA, Fla. – Tomoyuki Sugano may never give up a run as an Oriole. That’s the pace he’s on right now. Just let it ride. Sugano entered tonight’s game with seven scoreless innings in his three outings. He went 3 1/3 against the Twins, leaving after Christian Vázquez’s one-out single in the fourth that was the only hit against him. The crowd gave

SARASOTA, Fla. – Zach Eflin threw in the bullpen earlier today to prepare for his Sunday start against the Phillies at Ed Smith Stadium. His last time facing hitters occurred on a back field. He’s got two more appearances lined up before it gets real. In Eflin’s case, that’s Opening Day on March 27 in Toronto. Eflin received confirmation this morni