WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Max Scherzer had been through this before, four winters ago, and though his free agency saga still ended with a huge contract from a franchise he embraces, he also knew the process took longer and included more frustrating developments than he believed it should have included. So when the subject of Bryce Harper's ongoing slog through free agency comes up, Scherzer has no trouble speaking both passionately and intelligently about the situation. And what does he have to...

The Orioles today announced that seven Spring Training games will be broadcast on the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN), 13 games will be available on the Orioles Radio Network and flagship station 105.7 The Fan, and 16 of the remaining 17 games will be carried live via audio-only streaming exclusively on Orioles.com and MLB At Bat. MASNsports.com reporter Steve Melewski will serve as play-by-play broadcaster for the 16-game digital streaming schedule on Orioles.com and MLB At Bat. He will be...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Nationals most definitely did not report for spring training last year with a fully healthy roster. Adam Eaton and Daniel Murphy were still rehabbing from major knee surgeries. Joe Ross had only recently resumed throwing after Tommy John surgery. Koda Glover had to be shut down with shoulder soreness. The team that reports to camp this spring appears to be in much better physical shape. All 15 pitchers slated to throw in this morning's position groups did so without...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles play their first spring training game on Feb. 23 in Sarasota and MASN is providing full coverage as part of its exhibition schedule. Seven games will air on the network, beginning with the opener against the Twins at 1 p.m. at Ed Smith Stadium. Six more home games follow on MASN: March 3 against the Detroit Tigers at 3 p.m.; March 8 against the Red Sox at 1 p.m.; March 9 against the Yankees at 6 p.m.; March 14 against the Twins at 1 p.m.; March 17 against the...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The first workout of the spring featured an extended "Circle of Trust," some serious talk, some laughter, a moment of silence, a bunch of bullpen sessions, and plenty of grunts and curse words out of Max Scherzer. Suffice it to say, the Nationals ran through the full gamut during the nearly two-hour session outside FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, and there was an extra bounce in their steps. "I got here a little early because I was ready, biting at the bit,"...

SARASOTA, Fla. - In his first spring training as a major league manager, Brandon Hyde is bringing some of his previous tactics while running camps to the Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota. Music blared as the Orioles came onto the field for early stretching and warm-ups, the play list including two Pearl Jam songs, and the tunes switched to country later in the morning. The row of mounds on one of the back field areas has been expanded from four to six, allowing for more simultaneous...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Dean Kremer, the Orioles right-hander who led the minors in strikeouts last summer, is unable to work out in camp due to a strained left oblique. Kremer sustained the injury two weeks ago while working out at home and expects to be out for two more weeks. "I've got a slow recovery coming back, but I should be back in a couple of weeks," said Kremer, 23, who was obtained from the Dodgers in the Manny Machado trade. "I'm obviously not happy that it happened, but happy that...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Pitchers have a tendency to avoid the American League East as if it's a contagious disease. Especially the ones who are attempting a comeback and willing to accept a one-year deal in order to reestablish their value on the free agent market. Then there's Nathan Karns, who preferred a team like the Orioles, based on their division. As crazy as it might sound. "I think it's one of the premiere divisions in the league, and you want to beat the biggest names and they tend to be...

There are some who see use of the opener in baseball as at least intriguing and maybe even innovative. Others push back against such a pitching plan and don't like it or don't see it working well for teams much moving forward. An opener is a pitcher who starts a game but faces only a few batters or stays in for only an inning or two. The tactic allows a team to bring in the scheduled starter in the second or third inning and potentially begin his outing versus the bottom of the order. If that...

SARASOTA, Fla. - About a month before Trey Mancini arrived at the Ed Smith Stadium complex, he received a text from Orioles catcher Chance Sisco that included a photo of his locker inside the home clubhouse. Mancini had moved down to the end of the row. In the corner where Adam Jones always resided in spring training. Sacred baseball ground. With only two full seasons in the majors, Mancini had become the chosen one. "I certainly didn't request it," Mancini said, smiling. "They had to put...