Manager: Paul Molitor (4th season) Record: 85-77 (2nd in AL Central in 2017; captured 2nd AL wild card) Last 10 games: Season opener Who to watch: 2B Brian Dozier (.271 average, 34 HR, 93 RBIs); 3B Miguel Sanó (.264 average, 28 HR, 77 RBIs); CF Byron Buxton (.253 average, 29 SB); RHP José Berríos (14-8, 3.89 ERA); RHP Lance Lynn (11-8, 3.43 ERA) Season series vs. Orioles: First meeting (5-2 in 2017) Pitching probables: March 29: RHP Jake Odorizzi (10-8, 4.14 ERA) vs. RHP Dylan Bundy...

Left-hander Sammy Solís finished up spring with a scoreless inning against the Twins on Tuesday. His spring ERA was 1.80, the best ERA he has ever posted in camp. He struck out 15 and walked one in 10 innings. "He had a great spring training," said Nationals manager Davey Martinez. "He's very confident coming into the season, which I love. We will keep him going. He's a big part of that bullpen, and he knows that. He will pitch some big moments for us." In one inning Tuesday, Solís...

A few thoughts as the hours to opening day dwindle and the excitement builds before the first pitch of the Orioles' 65th season in Baltimore. * It will be fun to watch the duo of shortstop Manny Machado and second baseman Jonathan Schoop. Clearly, they are energized to play next to each other on the infield. What they can do on both offense and defense could be special to watch at times. Machado has both the motivation to prove he can play well with the glove at shortstop and to have a big...

The Nationals made roster moves prior to their 3-1 exhibition loss to the Twins Tuesday by moving right-hander Koda Glover (right shoulder tendinitis) to the 60-day disabled list. The team selected the contract of veteran catcher Miguel Montero and placed second baseman Daniel Murphy (microfracture right knee surgery) and right-hander Joaquin Benoit (right forearm strain) on the 10-day disabled list. After the game, manager Davey Martinez detailed the next few weeks for Murphy, confirming the...

Left-hander Gio Gonzalez did quite well for himself in his final tune-up before the regular season. Although it was only three innings, he still did not allow a run on one hit with one walk and two strikeouts. Gonzalez threw 37 pitches, 26 for strikes. The only hit was a leadoff single from Twins second baseman Brian Dozier. After that Gonzalez was able to settle in nicely the rest of the way. He credited catcher Miguel Montero and new Nationals pitching coach Derek Lilliquist for guiding him...

The Orioles will work out later today at Camden Yards in their final preparation for Thursday's season opener against the Twins. Unless you count batting practice the following day, of course. But this afternoon marks the last time that the Orioles gather before the games are real. The roster appears to be set. The Orioles aren't expected to make any late moves to alter it, though no one is issuing promises. Manager Buck Showalter told the media Monday in Norfolk that he sat with executive...

Max Scherzer has pitched in the Arizona desert, where 80 degrees in a comfort-controlled domed stadium masks triple-digit heat and minimal humidity outside. He's worked in Detroit, where early-season winds whip around, making it feel much colder than it is. And he's at home on the mound in D.C., where cool spring weather gives way to heat and humidity that tests a pitcher's mettle and stamina. So pardon the right-hander if he's not really fazed by foreboding weather forecasts that predict...

The Orioles continue their charitable endeavors with the announcement of a $300,000 pledge to local charities in support of their Birdland Community Heroes program. This pledge will include a combined donation of $100,000 from the Orioles Charitable Foundation to the 2018 season's Birdland Community Heroes' related charities and another $200,000 to the charities of those Heroes honored in previous seasons. Since the program's launch during the 2016 regular season, the Orioles have honored 80...

Manager: Bryan Price (5th season) Record: 68-94 (5th in NL Central in 2017) Last 10 games: Season opener Who to watch: 1B Joey Votto (.320/.454/.578 with 36 HR, 100 RBIs), 2B Scooter Gennett (.295/.342/.531 with 27 HR, 97 RBIs), 3B Eugenio Suárez (26 HR, 82 RBIs), RHP Luis Castillo (3-7, 3.12 ERA), RHP Raisel Iglesias (2.49 ERA, 28 saves) Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (1-6 in 2017) Pitching probables: March 30: RHP Max Scherzer vs. RHP Homer Bailey, 4:10 p.m., MASN March 31: RHP...

Veteran outfielder Jayson Werth is going to get a shot at extending his big league career in the Pacific Northwest. The former Nationals standout has agreed to a minor league deal with the Seattle Mariners, according to Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times. Mariners bringing in veteran outfielder Jayson Werth on a minor league contract https://t.co/ZJ7Kg0ys85 pic.twitter.com/sQaVgIJW8Y -- Seattle Times Sports (@SeaTimesSports) March 27, 2018 Werth spent seven seasons with the Nationals, but did...