LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - It's tough to draw many conclusions from spring training games, all the tougher to draw conclusions from long-distance road spring training games, when only a handful of big league regulars are in attendance and they play only a few innings before giving way to minor leaguers. So there wasn't a whole lot to read into the Nationals' 9-4 loss to the Braves on Monday afternoon. But let's pick out a few noteworthy developments, beyond Patrick Corbin's strong two-inning...

SARASOTA, Fla. - He's a professional baseball player, but where he is from, he's not well known by sports fans. In his second year in the Orioles organization, 26-year-old catcher Martin Cervenka is from Prague, Czech Republic. He's an interesting guy that speaks four languages, is sound defensively, and is trying to emerge from a crowded catching competition in camp and pull off a big upset by making the opening day roster. He's probably a long shot, but Cervenka just being in this camp is...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Three exhibition games won't provide many clues as to how manager Brandon Hyde envisions the construction of his 25-man roster, especially with players continuing to jump positions. But the two Rule 5 infielders might bring a few of his ideas into focus. Richie Martin made another start at shortstop yesterday against the Twins, going 1-for-2 before Jack Reinheimer replaced him. Drew Jackson started at second base, giving the Orioles a Rule 5 double play combination. "They're...

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - He could've stayed back in West Palm Beach, skipped the 2 1/2-hour drive up the turnpike and faced live hitters on a back field or something. Veteran pitchers, certainly those who just signed a $140 million contract, aren't typically asked to make long road trips in spring training. Patrick Corbin, though, wanted to pitch against the Braves today. He wanted to stay on his regular schedule, wanted to make his Nationals debut and not get any kind of special...

FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Orioles returned to Sarasota this afternoon without any updates on the medical chart. No one got hurt. They'll take the victories that don't show up in the Grapefruit League standings, which no longer list them as unbeaten. Nate Karns and Hunter Harvey felt good physically while allowing two earned runs in the Orioles' 7-1 loss to the Twins at Hammond Stadium. Karns surrendered three runs overall in 1 2/3 innings. Byron Buxton hit a two-run shot off Harvey in the...

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - If he was going to drive 2 1/2 hours to make his Nationals debut, Patrick Corbin might as well have made the most of the situation. And that's exactly what the club's new $140 million pitcher did this afternoon against the Braves. Working quickly, efficiently and showing off his full repertoire, Corbin retired six of the seven batters he faced, cruising through two scoreless innings at ESPN's Wide World of Sports complex. Given the option of staying back in West Palm...

FORT MYERS, Fla. - When a pitcher who makes the trip from minor league camp is warming twice in the bullpen, it's a sure sign that the starter's outing isn't running smoothly. Nate Karns is healthy, which is the primary interest of the Orioles. He stumbled in the first inning today of his first start after missing the entire 2018 season with an elbow injury, but only in the figurative sense. With his fastball clocked at 91-93 mph on the stadium radar gun, Karns allowed three runs (two...

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Former Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop took his last swings in the cage this morning at Hammond Stadium, headed down the dugout steps and knew he was being followed. One of Schoop's tools must be eyes in the back of his head. He turned and smiled as a couple members of the Orioles beat crew waited for him to notice. What followed was a four-minute reunion that included his thoughts on leaving the Orioles - and their lack of interest in bringing him back - close friend...

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Koda Glover will get an MRI on his right elbow this afternoon, leaving the oft-injured reliever and the Nationals waiting anxiously for results that could determine whether this is a mere spring training bump or cause for the club to re-examine its bullpen plans. Glover had to depart from his Grapefruit League debut Sunday afternoon after walking three consecutive Cardinals batters and complaining of elbow tightness. He threw only 10 of his 22 pitches for strikes and...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Dylan Bundy is making his spring training debut on Thursday against the Phillies in Clearwater, taking the first act of his Grapefruit League season on the road. Bundy threw a simulated game yesterday on one of the back fields at the Ed Smith Stadium complex leading into Thursday's assignment. Andrew Cashner joined Bundy in the simulated game and is nearing his debut. The Orioles haven't listed a starter for Friday afternoon against the Rays. Alex Cobb will pitch in a sim...