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...

So Chris Davis reported to the Orioles spring training camp yesterday. He had arrived in town earlier, but an illness kept him from the Ed Smith Stadium complex. Davis yet again granted Orioles reporters an interview, taking time to answer many questions. You can read some of his quotes here. He reiterated that he spent some time this winter working with people from his baseball past who may have provided him some new thoughts. He said again he's willing to make some batting changes. He's...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Among the early observations from Orioles spring training are how the workouts are packed with activity but also moving at a brisk pace, not a single minute wasted, and laptop screens are hard to see in bright sunlight. On the latter subject, the increase in technology and data collection is playing out before our eyes while pitchers complete their bullpen sessions on the row of mounds on a back field. High-speed video cameras capture slow-motion images while various team...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - There are tons of still-unsigned free agents out there, as everyone's well aware at this point. And included on that long list are a whole bunch of former Nationals players, and we're not just talking about Bryce Harper. Several key members of the 2018 Nats are still looking for jobs, even as pitchers and catchers have reported across Florida and Arizona and position players are about to join them. Like Gio Gonzalez, whose long-awaited first foray into free agency...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - It was just a 15-minute bullpen session, and he was just one of four pitchers in the last of six groups to take the mound over the last two mornings at Nationals camp. This is the most routine and mundane of activities, and just about every pitcher who went through the drill treated it as such. None of those pitchers, though, had to endure what Aaron Barrett did over the last three years just to get back on that mound this morning. It's quite possible no pitcher in...