We have more updates from instructional league workouts as we turn the spotlight to the hitters. Shortstop Yasel Antuna, the Nationals' No. 8-rated prospect according to MLB.com, is recovering from Tommy John surgery, which could keep him out for about one year. Nationals hitting coordinator Troy Gingrich said Antuna did some stretching and strength training, but no baseball-related activities yet. Antuna, 19, played 87 games for low Single-A Hagerstown this summer before being shut...

While we know that the Orioles won't be chasing top free agents, they are tied to one, and that is infielder Manny Machado. Drafted No. 3 overall by the Orioles in 2010, he went on to play 860 games for the team until they traded him to the Los Angeles Dodgers in July. Three times, he would finish among the top nine in the American League MVP race while an Oriole. But now he's a free agent, and despite his controversial postseason, he's likely to get a huge contract via free agency. Maybe...

While there have been significant changes for the Orioles in baseball operations, player development and scouting, the turnover won't touch Kent Qualls. The Orioles intend to bring back Qualls as director of minor league operations. The same title that he's held since coming to the organization prior to the 2013 season. Qualls' past duties have included overseeing the administration of the club's player development department and minor league affiliates. His responsibilities broadened under...

If there's only one move the Nationals are 100 percent guaranteed to make this winter, it's the acquisition of a catcher. You can argue they can get by with in-house options at other positions, but you can't argue they can do it behind the plate. The only catchers currently on the organization's 40-man roster are Spencer Kieboom, Pedro Severino and Raudy Read. None is a viable No. 1 catcher in the big leagues to begin the 2019 season. (You could make a case none is really an ideal No. 2...

The process of hiring a head of baseball operations, whatever the title, didn't interfere with business conducted this week at the general managers meetings. Orioles director of player development Brian Graham, leading the department on an interim basis, flew home this afternoon from Carlsbad, Calif., after the meetings reached their conclusion. Director of baseball operations Tripp Norton also represented the organization. The uncertainty over which individual will be calling the shots...

Do the Nationals need to acquire a starting second baseman? The answer depends on your view of several players. Do you believe Howie Kendrick will come back strong from a ruptured Achilles tendon and be able to play second base at a big league level at 35? Do you believe Wilmer Difo can develop into a more consistent offensive and defensive threat? Do you believe Carter Kieboom is going to be ready to ascend from the farm system sometime in 2019 and take over as the long-term answer at the...

As baseball free agency gets going, we know the Orioles will not be playing in the deep end of the pool. No chance of a Manny Machado reunion or a run at one of the top starters out there, such as Patrick Corbin or Dallas Keuchel. But should the Orioles even stick their toe into the shallow end of the pool? There certainly will be players to be had on one-year contracts who could help a club. The Orioles could use a sound defensive shortstop, and there are a few available. While José...

There's a growing perception that the Orioles are drawing closer to hiring a top executive for their front office. It probably won't happen by the end of the week, but the process is moving along. The drama isn't confined to the identity of the hire. The title also is to be determined, which is a major contributor to the confusion. The Orioles were focused on bringing in a president of baseball operations, and that still could happen, but it's dependent on the individual. The title will fit...

The awards week has arrived with a humdinger of a debate: Did the baseball writers make a mistake by not including Boston's J.D. Martinez in the top three for the American League MVP? The answer is yes. We'll know more about why when the votes are released next week, but this is a whopper of a mistake by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. The top three candidates are the Red Sox's Mookie Betts, the Angels' Mike Trout and the Indians' José Ramírez. How to determine which...

Don't look now, but the Nationals' entrant in the Arizona Fall League is rolling. The Salt River Rafters have won four games in a row and have a three-game lead atop the East Division. The Rafters are 15-8, tied for the best record in the AFL with the Peoria Javelinas. There are only seven games remaining until the league championship on Saturday, Nov. 17. Salt River faces Peoria tonight in a showdown of the two best teams, then the Rafters have a day off Thursday. Leading the way is the...