SARASOTA, Fla. - In his first game as a major league manager, albeit one that didn't count in real standings, Brandon Hyde placed zero importance on the final score. As the Orioles readied to take batting practice this morning on another sun-splashed Sarasota day, he sat in the home dugout at Ed Smith Stadium and insisted that he cared only about evaluating the performances. Take in the good and the bad and discuss. A "straight evaluation deal," as he put it. Most of what unfolded in front...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Nationals are fielding a fairly representative lineup for tonight's Grapefruit League opener, with Adam Eaton, Howie Kendrick, Juan Soto, Anthony Rendon, Matt Adams and Yan Gomes among the guys starting against the Astros. Those regulars who aren't playing tonight will be seeing action within a matter of days, and that includes the guy who sat out most of spring training last year. Ryan Zimmerman is slated to make his 2019 debut early next week, according to...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Though the batting order in the first exhibition game shouldn't be viewed as a precursor to the regular season lineups, Cedric Mullins carried the look of a legitimate leadoff hitter today against the Twins. Mullins walked, stole second base and scored in the first inning, doubled and scored in the third, and singled and scored in the fifth, as the Orioles posted a 7-2 victory at Ed Smith Stadium. Christopher Bostick replaced Mullins in center field, another movable piece...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Yes, there's a ballgame being played tonight. At last. The Nationals host the Astros at their shared complex in the Grapefruit League opener for both teams, the first of six head-to-head matchups over the next month. They're going to get to know each other very well. There is a slight difference in the two teams' lineups for tonight's opener. A.J. Hinch doesn't have a whole lot of experience on his lineup card, though there are some top prospects in there. Davey...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Brandon Hyde wants his club to be aggressive on the bases this year, a message he's delivered to them in meetings and through the press. However, he's also fine with players circling them. Chance Sisco's first swing today resulted in a three-run homer off Chase De Jong in the bottom of the first inning to provide an early lead. Cedric Mullins led off with a walk, stole second base and advanced to third on catcher Tomás Telis' throwing error. Exactly the...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The first game for Brandon Hyde as a major league manager has arrived today. Does a win or loss really matter to him? "No, not at all, zero," he replied while sitting in the home dugout at Ed Smith Stadium. Let's remember that it's spring training and other goals rank higher in the pecking order. "It's 100 percent about what we just did up until 11:30 and how we play," Hyde said. "We're going to evaluate that, we'll talk a little bit about a couple things that maybe...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Mark Trumbo said he isn't expecting to make his Grapefruit League debut this spring for a few more weeks, the process of recovering from September knee surgery continuing to play out. Trumbo has intensified his workouts in spring training, but the Orioles are being careful with him. "There's going to be a few tests to pass before. A safe bet would probably be two weeks from now," Trumbo said. "We still haven't totally ramped up. The full-speed sprint and kind of the...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Brandon Hyde is kicking off the first exhibition game this afternoon by sitting some of the regulars. First baseman Chris Davis, infielder Jonathan Villar and left fielder Trey Mancini are out of the lineup. Mancini said he knew in advance and is playing Sunday against the Blue Jays. The same must be true of Davis and Villar. Stevie Wilkerson gets the start at first base, Eric Young Jr. in left field, Rule 5 pick Richie Martin at shortstop and Jace Peterson at...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - It's been a long, hard winter in Washington, especially for anyone associated with a Nationals club that has eagerly been waiting to put last season's disappointment behind them and start over fresh in 2019. Well, there's some good news to share: The Nationals are playing a ballgame tonight. Against another major league team. With a 20-second pitch clock making its debut. More on that pitch clock in just a moment, but we'll begin with the Grapefruit League opener...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Just as it's unwise to read too much into the choice of a starting pitcher for the first exhibition game, the same applies to the order of the hitters and where certain players are positioned in the field. The leadoff hitter today against the Twins may be lowered or excluded Sunday versus the Blue Jays. The catcher isn't assured of breaking camp with the team, let alone being behind the plate on opening day. Take it all with a grain of salt, though it made more sense to do so...