SARASOTA, Fla. - When the Orioles take the field at Ed Smith Stadium tomorrow afternoon versus Toronto, Mark Trumbo will play in a game for the first time since last Aug. 19 and the first time since his knee surgery in September. Trumbo didn't play after that August game in Cleveland and underwent surgery on this right knee the following month, a relatively new procedure for a cartilage defect known as DeNovo. It's a juvenile cartilage implant from a donor that's packed into the opening and...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Chris Davis has returned to the Orioles lineup tonight for the first time since March 3, the soreness in his left hip subsiding after rest, treatments and swings in the indoor cage and during a simulated game. Davis is the designated hitter against the Yankees in Tampa. Rio Ruiz is playing first base. Manager Brandon Hyde apparently changed his mind about having Trey Mancini start at first. Austin Hays is in right field and batting behind leadoff hitter Cedric Mullins. Chance...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Nationals have another night game this evening, so that means there's some free time this morning. And since it's been a while since we did one of these, how about we take advantage of the free time for a spring training version of the Q&A? Submit your questions in the comments section below, then check back for my answers. I'll do my best to offer up some insight (provided I actually have some).

SARASOTA, Fla. - The mentoring began right after the introductions. Eric Young Jr. walked into the Orioles spring training clubhouse after agreeing to a minor league deal, sought out the younger players and began the balancing act of competing against them and offering his assistance. This is the reputation that Young brought with him along with his equipment bag. One of the really good guys in baseball. A pure professional. A public relations staff's dream. Young may not break camp with the...

SARASOTA, Fla. - As the Orioles get back in action tonight at 6:35 p.m. versus the Yankees in Tampa, after the only spring off day Monday, let's take time to look at the competition for bullpen spots. If the Orioles do proclaim anyone as their closer for 2019 - at least for the start of it - that remains very likely to be right-hander Mychal Givens. Don't let Givens' spring stats - he's allowed six runs over 2 1/3 innings - dissuade you at this point. He's the best candidate to close and...

JUPITER, Fla. - The question didn't really need to be asked, and the answer didn't really need to be given. But at this point, with 2 1/2 weeks to go, Davey Martinez figured he might as well make it official. "I'm going to go out on a limb today and tell you that Max will be our opening day starter," the manager said this afternoon to open his postgame session following the Nationals' 3-2 exhibition loss to the Cardinals. "How's that?" OK, so there was never any doubt about this one....

Nationals minor league games begins March 15 with four against Marlins affiliates. Potomac and Hagerstown each play a game versus Miami's High Single-A and Low Single-A teams on the back fields in West Palm Beach. The games are free to the public. Fresno and Harrisburg play separate games against the Marlins' Triple-A and Double-A squads at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Fla., that same day. The Nats' Triple-A and Double-A teams play their first games at home in West Palm Beach March 16...

JUPITER, Fla. - Though his chances of returning from a strained left hamstring in time to make the Nationals' opening day roster are questionable, Howie Kendrick is beginning to take some steps toward his return. Kendrick, who hurt himself running down the first base line six days ago, has begun riding a stationary bicycle and taking swings in the batting cage. Those are merely the first attempts at physical activity before he's cleared to ramp things up. "He's coming along," manager Davey...

JUPITER, Fla. - There's nothing at stake this afternoon at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium, but fans will be treated to a very nice spring training matchup featuring a whole lot of big names. Max Scherzer makes his fourth start of the spring, and he'll be going up against a Cardinals lineup loaded with regulars. That means Matt Carpenter, Paul Goldschmidt, Marcell Ozuna, José Martínez, Yadier Molina and more. Not a bad test for Scherzer, who struggled a bit in his last outing against the...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - More thoughts and observations from Sunday's 6-4 exhibition victory over the Astros ... * Teenage prospect Luis Garcia finally had the breakout game many had been waiting to see all spring, and it indeed was something to see. Garcia, the 18-year-old shortstop who is the youngest player in any big league camp this spring, hadn't made a lot of noise in his first few weeks, with three hits in his first 15 at-bats. But he dazzled on Sunday, going 3-for-3 with his first two...