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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Sammy SolÃs' long and often erratic tenure with the Nationals came to an abrupt conclusion this afternoon when the organization that drafted the left-hander nine years ago gave him his unconditional release.
Manager Davey Martinez explained the timing of the move as a reflection of the depth of other bullpen arms currently in camp, but there also was financial incentive behind the transaction. By releasing SolÃs today, the Nationals are responsible only for...
SARASOTA, Fla. - Dwight Smith Jr. has reported to the Orioles after yesterday's trade and is waiting for his first chance to get in the lineup.
Smith was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays earlier this week and the Orioles acquired him for international signing bonus slot funds. He's wearing No. 35.
"I was surprised when it happened," he said. "When I heard the news I was ecstatic to come over here and just get the opportunity to play and just help in whatever way I can."
Whether...
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Hello again from FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. I'm back here for the remainder of the spring. Many thanks to Pete Kerzel for filling in during my mid-camp break.
Just arrived at the ballpark and there's already significant news to report: Sammy SolÃs has been unconditionally released. While this may seem to come out of the blue for many, this really wasn't a complete shock. From the moment the Nationals chose to tender the left-hander a contract over the...
SARASOTA, Fla. - Chance Sisco is the designated hitter for the Orioles and Carlos Pérez is catching in tonight's split-squad game against the Yankees at Ed Smith Stadium.
Chris Davis remains out of the lineup with a sore left hip. Jace Peterson is starting at first base.
Richie Martin is the shortstop and Hanser Alberto is playing second base.
Cedric Mullins is leading off and playing center field, Trey Mancini is in left field and Anthony Santander is in right.
David Hess is coming off...
SARASOTA, Fla. - Ryan Mountcastle is starting at first base today and Drew Jackson is at second for the Orioles' split-squad game against the Rays in Port Charlotte.
Austin Hays is in center field and Jonthan Villar is playing shortstop.
Dylan Bundy is making his third start. He's allowed four runs and nine hits with no walks and five strikeouts in five innings.
Andrew Susac is catching Bundy today.
For the Orioles Austin Hays CF Eric Young Jr. LF Jonathan Villar SS Rio Ruiz DH Joey Rickard...
SARASOTA, Fla. - It happened on Tuesday afternoon at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota. Two pitchers from the same high school pitched in the same spring training game. They graduated six years apart from Clayton High School in North Carolina, which is about 30 minutes from Raleigh.
But they've developed a close friendship and bond, and the star pitcher from Clayton has been trying to help the rookie find his way in the majors.
The vet is 30-year-old right-hander Chris Archer of the Pittsburgh...
SARASOTA, Fla. - As Austin Hays broke toward a fly ball in right-center field Thursday afternoon, he fought the elements but already had conquered his fears.
The potential damage to a surgically repaired left ankle never crossed Hays' mind as he made a sprawling catch against the Pirates. A sprint and landing on the rock-hard warning track produced a highlight play and a broadest of smiles across his face.
No pain or repercussions.
"Off the bat it was pretty high, so I was running thinking...
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles turned more international signing bonus slots into a trade acquisition, landing outfielder Dwight Smith Jr. from the Blue Jays. The announcement came this afternoon.
Smith has slashed .293/.365/.467 in 47 games with the Blue Jays over the past two seasons. He was selected in the first round (53rd overall) of the 2011 draft out of McIntosh (Ga.) High School.
"Dwight Smith is a young outfielder with a strong track record of performance and a plus-hit tool from the...
SARASOTA, Fla. - Gabriel Ynoa became the first Orioles pitcher this spring to work four innings.
Did anyone pick him in the pool?
How many people remembered that he was still in camp?
Ynoa was the fourth pitcher used by manager Brandon Hyde in today's 4-2 win and he blanked the Red Sox on one hit. He walked none and struck out three.
"I was not really expecting to go four innings today," Ynoa said through interpreter Ramón Alarcón, "but they gave me the opportunity and I went ahead...
JUPITER, Fla. - Take away the first five Cardinals batters faced by Nationals pitching - all reaching base via hit, erasing a 2-0 deficit - and Davey Martinez would have spent his postgame press briefing talking about a day filled with dominant mound efforts.
As it was, the Nationals were still pretty good - even starter Patrick Corbin, whose brief struggle with locating his fastball in the first inning allowed the Cardinals to take the lead for good in a game that breezed by in 2 hours, 19...