WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Kurt Suzuki wasn't expecting to find himself in the middle of the war of words between the Astros and players around the majors who are now blasting the 2017 champs for cheating by illegally stealing signs. But when the Nationals catcher was quoted in The Washington Post saying he believed the Astros were still cheating during the 2019 World Series - "We could hear it from their dugout. We heard their whistling." - he suddenly was thrust into the fray and earned the...

Davey Martinez met with the media after Sunday's spring training workout.

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said he expects everyone in camp for Monday's first full-squad workout. No visa issues or unexcused absences. No unwanted drama. "Haven't heard of a situation where anybody's not going to show up," he said, "so I think everybody's going to be ready to go tomorrow." Catcher Pedro Severino took batting practice on the Camden Yards replica field this morning, the surest sign that he finally beat the bug. Severino has been ill, but he began...

Starlin Castro met with reporters after Sunday's spring training workout in West Palm Beach.

Kurt Suzuki met with reporters before Sunday's spring training workout in West Palm Beach.

Kurt Suzuki met with reporters before Sunday's spring training workout.

SARASOTA, Fla. - Position players are due to report to the Ed Smith Stadium complex today and arrivals spotted during the media's clubhouse access included Hanser Alberto, Yusniel Diaz, Dilson Herrera and Richard Ureña. A backpack was placed on a chair in front of Stevie Wilkerson's locker, so perhaps he's also here. Or maybe it's similar to Ronny Paulino's car sitting in the lot. Still no sign of Chris Davis. Alberto is going to experience a different camp in 2020. He isn't trying to...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - So much mental energy has been spent this winter trying to figure out how the Nationals are going to account for the loss of Anthony Rendon's production. Here's one potential way they could do it: by having a better bullpen. It may not seem one has anything to do with the other at first glance, but the Nats actually do view this as a realistic way to make up for the loss of Rendon without adding another big bat to their lineup. The idea is simple: If you can't score...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The maneuvering that's going to be necessary by April to fill out the rotation at Triple-A Norfolk won't involve only prospects as pieces. The Orioles are prepared to hold onto a veteran or two and figure out later how it's going to work. I've heard the six-man rotation idea and I've heard the word "piggyback." It's a bit complicated. Because they aren't going to rush a young pitcher, someone else will be used if there's an injury to a major league starter or some...

In Major League Baseball, 10 teams currently make the playoffs with three division winners and two wild card teams in each league. Under a new proposal from MLB that came out this week, that number would jump to 14 teams. Each league would have a top seed getting a first-round bye. The other six teams would play each in other in best-of-three series, all in one city. Teams seeded second and third would pick their opponents with the fourth seed playing the remaining team not selected. The three...