Taylor's leaping catch highlights otherwise sleepy Nats loss
Taylor's leaping catch highlights otherwise sleepy Nats loss
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
JUPITER, Fla. - On a day when hits were scarce and runs were even scarcer, the most attention-grabbing moment of the Nationals' 3-1 loss to the Marlins came via Michael A. Taylor's legs and outstretched left arm. Retreating to the center field wall on Derek Dietrich's third-inning drive, Taylor perfectly timed his leap and robbed the Marlins cleanup hitter of a likely home run. The sleepy Roger Dean Stadium crowd of 1,987 oohed and aahed and then applauded as Taylor trotted back to the...
Orioles announce multi-dimensional partnership with the Naval Academy Athletic Association
Orioles announce multi-dimensional partnership with the Naval Academy Athletic Association
Bobby Blanco
Orioles
Oriole Park to host Army/Navy baseball doubleheader on March 25 and host more than 1,000 Midshipmen for "Navy Day" in August Orioles to play MLB exhibition game in Annapolis in 2019 The Orioles today announced a new, multi-year partnership with the United States Naval Academy, which will include a variety of programs and events designed to recognize and honor the U.S. Naval Academy. This multi-dimensional partnership includes four primary elements: * The Orioles and Oriole Park at Camden...
Machado hits grand slam, Wright talks about start (O's lose 10-9)
Machado hits grand slam, Wright talks about start (O's lose 10-9)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - Manny Machado chose today to hit his first home run of the spring and he decided to clear the bases with it. Go big or go home. Machado's grand slam to left field off Cardinals right-hander Jack Flaherty with no outs in the bottom of the third inning gave the Orioles a 4-0 lead and sent a jolt through the crowd at Ed Smith Stadium. Caleb Joseph reached on an infield hit, Colby Rasmus walked, Jonathan Schoop singled and Machado sent a screaming liner into the seats. Flaherty...
Harper scratched from lineup with ingrown toenail (Nats lose 3-1)
Harper scratched from lineup with ingrown toenail (Nats lose 3-1)
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
JUPITER, Fla. - Originally scheduled to play back-to-back days for the first time this spring, Bryce Harper wound up not being able to play today's game at all. Harper was scratched from the lineup with an ingrown toenail, a seemingly insignificant ailment but one that has been a problem for the star outfielder before. Harper had to miss two games in May 2013 after suffering from an ingrown toenail that was so bad it had to be surgically removed. No word yet how much time the 25-year-old...
Two scoreless innings for Mike Wright
Two scoreless innings for Mike Wright
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - Mike Wright Jr. retired six of the seven batters he faced today, a harmless single the only smudge on his line. Tommy Pham bounced a single up the middle with one out in the first inning, but Wright retired Paul DeJong on a fly ball to right field and Jose Martinez on a bouncer to second baseman Jonathan Schoop, who ranged past the bag and threw across his body. Mark Trumbo, switched from designated hitter to first base, played the hop to record the final out. Carson Kelly...
Hump day: Martinez opens morning workout with live camels
Hump day: Martinez opens morning workout with live camels
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The daily Circle of Trust meeting began just any other. As players gathered around the Nationals logo at the center of their athletic turf field outside FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, bench coach Chip Hale went over the good and the bad from yesterday's exhibition game, then detailed the plan for this morning's workout. And then things got a little weird. A recording was played of third base coach Bob Henley, frequently the most boisterous speaker at these...
Lineup change, Showalter on Lee, Hays and Barlow
Lineup change, Showalter on Lee, Hays and Barlow
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles have made another lineup change today, with Chris Davis switching from first base to the designated hitter role. Mark Trumbo will play first base. The order remains the same, with Davis batting fifth and Trumbo seventh. No reason given for the change, but manager Buck Showalter hinted at the possibility during batting practice. Left-hander Chris Lee's attempt to break camp with the team lasted two pitches. Lee exited yesterday's game against the Rays with an...
Updating MRIs on Chris Lee and Austin Hays (plus more notes)
Updating MRIs on Chris Lee and Austin Hays (plus more notes)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - An MRI administered this morning confirmed that Orioles left-hander Chris Lee sustained an injury to his right oblique muscle and he's expected to be sidelined at least four weeks. Lee wasn't expected to break camp with the team, but the injury totally eliminates the possibility. The MRI on Austin Hays was more favorable. Hays has some inflammation behind his right shoulder, but he could be available to hit. The Orioles will prevent him from throwing for about three days,...
Starting lineups: Nats vs. Marlins in Jupiter (Harper scratched)
Starting lineups: Nats vs. Marlins in Jupiter (Harper scratched)
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
JUPITER, Fla. - Well, it's been quite a morning already in Nationals camp. The day began with a surprise twist to the club's morning "Circle of Trust" meeting: Coaches Bob Henley and Tim Bogar rode in on camels, yelling out "Hump Day!" and eventually making all the players walk through the tunnel they created to symbolize how the Nationals are trying to get over the proverbial hump this season. This was all concocted by manager Davey Martinez, and I'll have plenty more on all this a...
Orioles lineup vs. Cardinals
Orioles lineup vs. Cardinals
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles reliever Darren O'Day will make his spring debut in today's 1:05 p.m. game against the Cardinals at Ed Smith Stadium. Pedro Álvarez is listed among a group of reserves that also includes outfielder Jaycob Brugman, catcher Andrew Susac and infielder Éngelb Vielma. Outfielder Austin Hays is counted, too, though he was scheduled to receive an MRI today on his right shoulder/lat. Colby Rasmus is leading off and playing right field. Tim Beckham is batting...