SARASOTA, Fla. - Mark Trumbo took batting practice this morning on the replica Camden Yards field, testing out his surgically repaired right knee and gaining a truer sense of the rebuild that's unfolding around him. "I was probably seven or eight years older than anybody in the cage today," he said, drawing laughter from the media at his locker. Not that the 33-year-old Trumbo has any complaints about a youth movement or senses that he doesn't belong in it. "It's really good," he said....

You know Gary Thorne knows and enjoys baseball. One listen to his work on Orioles broadcasts on MASN tells you that. But in his career - which enters its 52nd year in 2019 - Thorne has done a little bit of everything. He's covered the National Hockey League, Olympics and NCAA sports. And done plenty of voiceover work on commercials and video games. That widespread knowledge of sport is the genesis of his newest venture: a podcast entitled "The Sports Rivals Podcast," in which Thorne and the...

With three new starters, the Cincinnati Reds are shooting for at least a .500 record in the National League Central. The Cubs have experience in their rotation, but check out their ages: Could they have too much experience? The Pirates think their rotation will surprise. The Cardinals' best story is Carlos Martínez and whether he can lead the rotation after injuries put him in the bullpen last year. And the Brewers, the team that lost to the Dodgers in last October's NL Championship...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The first official day of Orioles camp is Wednesday morning, but players took batting practice, shagged fly balls and did some running earlier today on the back fields. A nice turnout before noon. Position players already here include Mark Trumbo, Trey Mancini and Mike Yastrzemski. Mancini has been assigned Adam Jones' old locker in the far corner of the clubhouse. Jones' absence while remaining on the free agent market was noted by multiple players. One of them said he...

The Cleveland Indians rotation is one of the best in baseball, which makes life difficult for the other four teams in the American League Central, so that makes them the favorite. Minnesota has the most improved team, but will the Twins rotation help them make up 13 games in the division race? For drama to happen in the AL Central, the Twins need a consistent rotation. Kansas City is banking of health for Danny Duffy and a bounceback from Ian Kennedy. The White Sox will have at least two former...

This is it, folks: It's the final day of the offseason. After 4 1/2 months waiting for Bryce Harper to make his decision, the Nationals finally are ready to report for spring training, with Harper ... er, well, even though that decision still hasn't been made, Nats pitchers and catchers still are going to report tomorrow morning in West Palm Beach, Fla. One of these days - hopefully soon, but honestly who really knows? - Harper will officially be a Giant or a Phillie or a White Sox or a...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles pitchers and catchers report to the Ed Smith Stadium complex today, an official date that doesn't preclude anyone from showing up early. The place isn't surrounded by a moat - unless there's heavy rain, because it's Florida and a little flooding is required by state law. Security guards will allow entrance to employees. The days of players waiting until the final hours or just phoning their manager with confirmation that they're "in town" began to wane after the...

Playing in a major league spring training game is going to be nothing new for Orioles outfield prospect Mike Yastrzemski. He's played in 30 such games in four different seasons. The difference is that he previously came over from minor league camp. This spring - for the first time in his pro career - he's in major league camp as a non-roster invitee. He's got a locker at Ed Smith Stadium. "Very excited," Yastrzemski said last week from Nashville, where he trained at his alma mater,...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Seeking a veteran outfielder to compete for a job in spring training, the Orioles have signed Eric Young Jr. to a minor league deal that includes an invitation to major league camp, according to an industry source. Young, who turns 34 in May, is a career .245/.312/.332 hitter in 10 major league seasons. He appeared in 41 games with the Angels last year, slashing .202/.248/.303 in 117 plate appearances, and also has played for the Rockies, Mets, Braves and Yankees. Though...

The best overall pitching in the National League West belongs to the Dodgers, but the Rockies aren't far behind, at least when it comes to youth and depth. The Dodgers' biggest addition is reliever Joe Kelly, who grew up a Dodgers fan and ate Dodger Dogs sitting in the left field seats at Dodger Stadium. Kelly, 30, helps a bullpen that goes thin when the postseason arrives. He pitched for World Series champion Boston last season. Arizona is without Patrick Corbin, now a National. The Giants...