FORT MYERS, Fla. - If there is a significant competition in Nationals camp this spring, it's in center field, with top prospect Victor Robles trying to prove he's ready for the starting job ahead of the erratic Michael A. Taylor. And though it's too early for any hard decisions about the fate of that competition, manager Davey Martinez pointed out today what's probably the understood truth but might get overlooked by those wanting to see one of the two seize the job. "Here's the deal with...

CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Orioles scratched Nate Karns from Friday night's start in Tampa due to "general arm soreness," according to manager Brandon Hyde. Left-hander John Means is taking Karns' spot and will face the Yankees in a split-squad game. Alex Cobb pitches the day game against the Rays in Sarasota. "We want to be careful with it," Hyde said. "Just going to push him back a couple days, maybe throw a side instead on Sunday and then kind of go back on his routine from there. But...

CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Orioles have adjusted their spring starters this week, listing left-hander John Means to start Friday night's split-squad game against the Yankees in Tampa. Nate Karns had been the listed starter, with Alex Cobb pitching in the day game against the Rays at Ed Smith Stadium. However, Karns no longer is slated to face the Yankees. Mike Wright is starting Saturday against the Red Sox in Fort Myers. No starters are listed for Sunday against the Tigers in Sarasota or Monday...

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Hello from jetBlue Park, aka "Fenway South." And we've got a matchup today worthy of the real Fenway Park, with Max Scherzer going up against the Red Sox. It's unconventional for a star pitcher like Scherzer to make such a long road trip (2 1/2 hours each way), but like Patrick Corbin earlier this week in Lake Buena Vista, Scherzer wanted to do it and stay on his regular pitching schedule. So he'll likely go three innings and about 50 pitches, going up against several...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Dylan Bundy makes his first spring start today as the Orioles return to the road to play the Phillies in Clearwater. Austin Hays is leading off and playing center field again. Chris Davis is on the trip and batting third. Yusniel Diaz is batting cleanup and playing right field. Jace Peterson moves to third base. Rule 5 pick Drew Jackson is the designated hitter. Austin Wynns is catching. For the Orioles Austin Hays CF Jonathan Villar 2B Chris Davis 1B Yusniel Diaz RF Joey...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - More thoughts and observations from Wednesday's 14-8 thumping of the Astros to tide you over while I trek across the state for today's game against the Red Sox in Fort Myers ... * Yes, it's early. But the early returns on Michael A. Taylor's revamped swing have been quite positive. Taylor added two more hits during Wednesday's game, both of them line drives to left field, one for a single and another for a double. He also drew a walk in his third plate appearance....

SARASOTA, Fla. - The competition for a spot or two in the back end of the Orioles rotation is ongoing and intriguing given the number of candidates and their varying pedigrees. Manager Brandon Hyde has a long way to go before coming to any conclusions, though he keeps getting asked about it less than a week into the exhibition schedule. "Still really early," Hyde said. "I've been around long enough to know that you can take only so much stock in spring training. I've seen guys have...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Take the combination of a player who gave his confidence a reboot over the winter and a first-year manager who quickly has established a relaxed spring camp and you get a player who struggled last year but now has three homers in six spring at-bats this year. Chance Sisco, go ahead and put 2018 behind you and welcome to a new year with a new staff and a fresh start. Sisco hit a three-run homer in his first spring at-bat Saturday (on his first swing) in Sarasota, and yesterday...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - It's forgotten a bit because of his strong performance last season, but Jeremy Hellickson didn't sign with the Nationals until March 17. He made only one Grapefruit League start before the club broke camp and headed north for opening day. It admittedly took some time for Hellickson to feel like he was in regular-season form. That's not the case this spring. Hellickson did re-sign late again, but at least this time the contract was done before pitchers and catchers...

FORT MYERS, Fla. - The two home runs created the loudest sounds and the most buzz. Chance Sisco muscling up again this afternoon, terrorizing two Red Sox pitchers who have been lauded this spring by their manager for their improvement. But Sisco lit up - as much as he's capable with his quiet personality - when asked about the opposite-field single in his final at-bat that scored Rule 5 pick Richie Martin in the Orioles' 7-6 win at jetBlue Park. "I love that," he said. "That's one of the...