SARASOTA, Fla. - Outfielder Eric Young Jr. and infielders Hanser Alberto and Steve Wilkerson reported to Orioles camp this morning, leaving infielders Jonathan Villar and Alcides Escobar as the only position players who haven't arrived. Escobar signed a minor league deal yesterday and might not get here until Monday's first full-squad workout. Young, who's been assigned No. 28, also received a minor league contract with a spring invite. He's a career .245/.312/.332 hitter in 10 major league...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Henderson Álvarez threw a no-hitter in the big leagues in 2013. He was a National League All-Star in 2014. He started on opening day for the Marlins in 2015. And he spent the 2018 season pitching for the Tigres de Quintana Roo of the Mexican League. It's not exactly a conventional career path, and it wasn't Álvarez's preference. But given his lack of options last year, he was willing to swallow his pride a bit and head south of the border in an attempt to...

It is a topic that has come up a few times over the winter, and it's a question I've been asked a few times in the last week or so: What will make for a successful season for the Orioles? As always, I'm going to seek your input on this one as well. Well, since the won-loss record is expected to be poor again, and since most fans seem accepting of that as the rebuild truly begins, what are we looking for here? For one, the building of what Mike Elias has called the "elite talent pipeline."...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Nationals manager Davey Martinez intends to split playing time among his two new catchers, and those two new catchers are perfectly fine with that plan. Though Yan Gomes and Kurt Suzuki each have been regulars for much of their respective careers, and though each is coming off a strong 2018 season, each understands the 2019 Nationals may be better off with roughly equal playing time between them. "If we make that a deal, this team is not going to go forward," Gomes...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The arrival of veteran infielder Alcides Escobar in Orioles camp, whether today or by Monday's first full-squad workout, will require him to field questions along with ground balls. Why the Orioles, who are in a full rebuild that's been made public and can turn off a player whose career is winding down? Is it because of the late date, or maybe an opportunity that can't be found in other organizations? Is he competing for a starting job in the middle infield or third base, or...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles made a move this afternoon that intensified the shortstop and utility competition. Alcides Escobar agreed to terms on a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training as the first full-squad workout unfolds on Monday. He can earn $700,000 if playing for the Orioles. The rebuild doesn't preclude executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias from bringing a 32-year-old infielder into the fold. "Alcides Escobar will add a great veteran option to...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Max Scherzer didn't outlast his pitching mates in the bullpen like he did Thursday morning, but the Nationals ace did put on another display of precise preparation during his throwing session this morning. Scherzer, who in his first official bullpen of the spring was on the mound an additional five to seven minutes beyond the other pitchers in his group, actually finished before Joe Ross or Jeremy Hellickson did this time. But he made the most of his abbreviated...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said he anticipates having everyone in camp Sunday besides catcher Jesús Sucre and pitcher Gregory Infante, who remain in Venezuela. The first full-squad workout will be held Monday. Jonathan Villar, Steve Wilkerson, Eric Young Jr. and Hanser Alberto haven't reported. An illness is preventing Infante from boarding a flight to the United States. "What I just heard this morning is all signs are getting positive, he's feeling better," Hyde said....

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The Nationals used 125 different lineups last season, some of that a byproduct of injuries and some of it a product of Davey Martinez's tinkering and attempts to create advantageous daily matchups. If things go as he hopes, Martinez will be deploying far fewer batting orders this season. "What I want to do, honestly, this year, if these guys are healthy, is have a constant lineup," the second-year manager said today. Martinez came to that realization during the...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Outfielders Yusniel Díaz and DJ Stewart, third baseman Ryan Mountcastle and infielder Jack Reinheimer have reported early to camp. Among position players still marked absent are infielders Jonathan Villar, Steve Wilkerson and Hanser Alberto and outfielder Eric Young Jr. They aren't required to be at the ballpark until Monday's full-squad workout. Outfielder Austin Hays arrived yesterday and took batting practice on the stadium field. His surgically repaired left ankle...