SARASOTA, Fla. - Brandon Bailey didn't see it coming. In Orioles camp as a Rule 5 selection, Bailey thought he might be heading north with the club instead of making the drive to West Palm Beach. That he'd be on a major league team's opening day roster instead of returning to the Astros complex and awaiting his minor league assignment. The Orioles included Bailey and Rule 5 reliever Michael Rucker in Friday afternoon's camp cuts. Bailey goes back to the Astros after allowing one run in four...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles left-handed pitching prospect DL Hall, who ended last year on the injured list, begins this season fully healthy. The 21-year-old Hall didn't pitch in 2019 after Aug. 8 due to a lat strain. In 19 games for Single-A Frederick, the club's 2017 top draft pick went 4-5 with a 3.46 ERA in 80 2/3 innings. Hall said it didn't take too long to fully recover from that issue. "About a month and a half, two months," he said Saturday at the Buck O'Neil Complex at Twin Lakes...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Davey Martinez had a simple message for Eric Thames today as the veteran first baseman prepared to play for the first time since straining a calf muscle 11 days ago. "Don't go gangbusters. Ease your way back into it," the Nationals manager said. "Don't try to go first to third right now." So what happened when Thames stepped up to bat in the bottom of the first inning against Marlins right-hander José Ureña? Of course he sent a sinking liner into right-center...

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Orioles outfielder Trey Mancini has left the club to undergo a non-baseball medical procedure, raising the concerns of his teammates and staff and increasing the possibility that he won't be on the opening day roster. Manager Brandon Hyde shared the news with the media this afternoon. Details are scarce because the Orioles want to respect his privacy. The procedure isn't imminent and might not happen until next week. However, the Orioles break camp on March 23 and begin...

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Bruce Zimmermann bolted out of the visiting dugout today at Charlotte Sports Park and jogged to the mound, eager to begin warming up for his first spring start and third appearance. Zimmermann looked forward to the opportunity but mostly was glad to be off the team bus. He could have gotten here faster from Sarasota if he walked. The Orioles arrived at the ballpark about 45 minutes prior to first pitch, their driver taking them to a closed section of I-75. Traffic was...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Unable to agree to terms on their own, the Nationals have unilaterally set Juan Soto's 2020 salary at $629,400, a source familiar with the figure confirmed. The mechanism of teams setting the salaries of players who aren't yet eligible for arbitration, known as "renewing," isn't uncommon. Those young players can negotiate their salaries, but in most every case the final figure is based on big league service time and not performance. The process is fairly simple in...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Though there haven't been any confirmed coronavirus cases in the immediate vicinity yet, the Nationals are taking their first precautionary steps toward helping prevent the virus from spreading at their spring training facility. The club announced this morning changes to the way players and coaches approach autographs and fan interactions at FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches and other spring training stadiums. All Nationals personnel have been advised to avoid...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Nationals have their second split-squad day of the spring, and that means everybody's playing but spread out between two towns at the same time. Davey Martinez is staying here in West Palm Beach to watch Joe Ross face the Marlins. He's got Eric Thames (making his return 11 days after suffering a calf strain) leading off and serving as DH. He's got Juan Soto and Howie Kendrick in his lineup as well. Tim Bogar and Chip Hale are making the trip to Port St. Lucie to...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Anthony Santander is expecting to make his spring outfield debut on Tuesday after serving only as the designated hitter in eight games. Orioles manager Brandon Hyde has been careful with Santander, who didn't play after Sept. 23 last season due to soreness in his right shoulder. The former Rule 5 pick finally gets to wear a glove for the 6:05 p.m. game against the Braves in Sarasota. "I've been working on my strength so when the day comes, I'll be ready and 100 percent,"...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Trey Mancini remains out of the Orioles lineup today as he tries to shake the flu-like symptoms that have bothered him for much of the camp. Mason Williams is playing right field for the 1:05 p.m. game against the Rays in Port Charlotte. Andrew Velazquez is the center fielder. Austin Hays, Chris Davis and José Iglesias are staying back in Sarasota. Dilson Herrera is playing first base and Pat Valaika is the shortstop. Ryan Mountcastle gets another start in left field. Chance...