WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - We are, believe it or not, only two weeks away from opening day. Yes, a mere 14 days from now Max Scherzer will be taking the mound at Nationals Park to face Jacob deGrom and the Mets in the opener not only of a potentially dramatic season but of a potentially dramatic first two weeks to the season. The Nationals play their first 11 games against the Mets and Phillies, two division rivals who made big moves this winter and spring to try to improve, one of those moves of...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Thoughts, observations and quotes from the Nationals' 8-4 victory over the Braves today ... * Though he has been touting the Trea Turner-Adam Eaton 1-2 combo atop his lineup for the last week-plus, Davey Martinez has flip-flopped the duo in each of the last two games they've started. And today offered some evidence of the benefits of that arrangement. Eaton led off the game drawing a walk, then moments later coasted around the bases on Turner's two-run homer to left....

SARASOTA, Fla. - Alex Cobb knew that it was coming. His first career opening day start. He read the pitching chart on the wall and did the math. All of it added up for him. What remained was the official word from Orioles manager Brandon Hyde, which arrived this morning accompanied by a combination handshake and hug. "I had some ideas," said Cobb, who takes the mound on March 28 at Yankee Stadium. "I've been to a few spring trainings in my day, so I can map out what the schedule looks like...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The process of trying to get Mark Trumbo ready for opening day accelerated this afternoon with his two at-bats in his spring debut against the Blue Jays. No more cages and simulated games. Trumbo batted for the first time with one out and nobody on base in the bottom of the first inning. He got ahead 3-1 in the count, swung through a Marcus Stroman fastball, stayed alive on a couple of foul tips and bounced to shortstop Richard Ureña. Eight pitches total and a sprint up the...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Nationals had been interested in Tony Sipp all winter, but it took until this morning before they and the veteran left-hander could agree to terms on a contract. Sipp, who in 2016 got a three-year, $18 million contract from the Astros, waited out the market, hoping for a significant contract. In the end, he settled for a one-year deal from the Nationals, with $1 million in guaranteed salary this season and a $2.5 million mutual option (or $250,000 buyout) for 2020,...

SARASOTA, Fla. - One year after reporting late to Orioles camp as his free agency dragged along and suffering through a miserable stretch in the first half, right-hander Alex Cobb has been chosen as the opening day starter March 28 at Yankee Stadium. Manager Brandon Hyde shared the news with Cobb this morning, a conversation that turned emotional for both parties. "He's real excited," Hyde said. "Obviously, it's an honor. He understands that and he's very, very grateful and I'm just...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Alex Cobb returns to the Orioles spring rotation Saturday afternoon with his start against the Blue Jays in Dunedin. Cobb hasn't pitched beyond a simulated game since March 5 against the Pirates, when he allowed one run and two hits over three innings. He lasted only two-thirds of an inning in his debut against the Rays on March 1, charged with four runs and three hits. The birth of Cobb's daughter on Friday night has forced adjustments to his schedule. He worked four innings...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - It's been a busy morning already around here, with the Nationals having just signed veteran lefty Tony Sipp to a one-year contract and having apparently made some cuts from big league camp as well. (Saw at least four guys cleaning out their lockers earlier, but nothing has been officially announced yet.) There's also a game to be played this afternoon, with the Braves making the long trek down the turnpike to face their division rivals. Kevin Gausman is today's...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Nationals are bringing in an experienced left-handed reliever after all. The Nats have agreed to terms with veteran Tony Sipp on a one-year contract with an option for 2020, a source familiar with the deal confirmed. Sipp, 35, will need to pass a physical before the contract is official, but he's expected to report to spring training within the next few days. Sipp fills an obvious need for the Nationals, though one club officials had been downplaying in significance...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Eventually, it happens to all pitchers. They give up a big hit that contributes to a loss and have to bounce back in their next outing. Last Thursday in Bradenton, Orioles right-hander Branden Kline allowed a walk-off, solo homer to Cole Tucker on a 2-0 pitch as the Orioles lost to the Pirates 5-4. It came on the third pitch of his outing. It was over fast. Kline had to wait three days to get back in a game, but that happened Sunday, when he threw a scoreless inning against...