WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Daniel Hudson pitched the ninth inning of three postseason clinching Nationals wins last October. He recorded the final three outs of the National League wild card game, preserving a 3-2 victory over the Brewers. He notched the final four outs of the team's NL pennant-clinching win over the Cardinals. And when it came time for the ninth inning of Game 7 of the World Series, Davey Martinez handed the ball to him and watched as he finished off the Astros and set off a...

The Nationals' core prospect structure is based around starting pitching, and that is exemplified in the selection of right-hander Jackson Rutledge with their first-round draft pick from 2019. Rutledge arrived after a solid season at San Jacinto Junior College in Texas, and fires to the plate from a 6-foot-8, 250-lb. frame. Baseball America has the big right-hander locked in as the Nats' No. 3 prospect for 2020. No. 3 Jackson Rutledge "He's a huge guy," said Baseball America Nats...

SARASOTA, Fla. - One more home run and Orioles infielder Pat Valaika can match the number of times he hit the waiver wire in the offseason. Baseball is such a crazy game. Valaika began yesterday tied with Chris Davis for the lead in Grapefruit League homers with three, including his two-run shot Wednesday off Marlins pitcher Caleb Smith. He's equaled his total with the Rockies in 108 games over the past two seasons. It isn't just the longball. Valaika has seven hits in 19 at-bats and is...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The games down here don't count, so the Nationals could afford to brush off tonight's 11-0 trouncing at the hands of a split-squad Cardinals team as insignificant in the grand scheme of things. And that's probably a fair reaction to a blowout loss on March 5. Really, what conclusions can reasonably be drawn from a game like this? Still, it had to be at least a little concerning for Davey Martinez to watch three of his most important pitchers get roughed up by a...

SARASOTA, Fla. - There is almost certainly no reason to have any concern about a player in spring training after only 18 at-bats. But Orioles outfielder Austin Hays, who had a big spring last year, is batting .111 so far at 2-for-18. He does have four RBIs and he feels like the hits will be coming shortly. He's still penciled in as the center fielder and likely leadoff hitter come opening day, March 26 in Baltimore against the New York Yankees. "I actually feel really good," Hays said before...

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.