WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - As every other position player on the Nationals roster took the field for the first time as a team this morning, Daniel Murphy could only watch. Though the veteran second baseman, still rehabbing from late-October knee surgery, has begun some baseball activities, they are admittedly limited. "I started doing some knee drills," Murphy said. "Played a little bit of catch. And that would be the extent of it right now. So ground balls on my knees and then play a little...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Chris Tillman spent this morning at the Ed Smith Stadium complex, but he hasn't been cleared to join workouts until his new contract becomes official. Both sides are in a holding pattern, but an announcement could come later today. The Orioles are waiting to hear back from Tillman's representative. Tillman has agreed to a one-year deal worth a guaranteed $3 million. He can earn another $7 million in incentives. Catcher Andrew Susac will be released from the hospital today...

The Orioles have announced plans for Opening Day of the 2018 Spring Training season on Friday, February 23, when the Orioles host the Tampa Bay Rays at 1:05 p.m. ET at Ed Smith Stadium. All fans in attendance will receive a 2018 Spring Training schedule magnet, sponsored by Visit Sarasota. Additionally, the first 1,000 female fans in attendance will receive a Birds of Paradise flower, courtesy of Beneva Flowers. In a special pre-game ceremony, the U.S. Special Operations Command Parachute Team,...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Position players reported to camp Monday, and though we haven't seen the entire squad on the field together quite yet, it does feel like spring training has finally begun in earnest. The vast majority of Nationals position players had already reported early, some by multiple weeks, so there were only a handful left to check in Monday (the official reporting date). Of the 61 players in big league camp - that number will go up to 62 today when reliever Joaquín...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are expected to announce later today Chris Tillman's signing to a one-year deal. They don't disclose the terms, but as I reported yesterday, he's guaranteed $3 million and can earn another $7 million in incentives. There was no confirmation yesterday, perhaps because the club was waiting for the results of his physical or the deal needed to be approved by Major League Baseball and the commissioner's office was busy with pace of play and arbitration...

So Chris Tillman and the Orioles finally reached an agreement on a one-year contract and the pitcher that started three straight opening days for the club is back. Tillman got a $3 million guarantee and can reportedly earn another $7 million with innings incentives. If this was his only major league contract offer, he did well with a shot to make $10 million a year after he went 1-7 with a 7.84 ERA. The Orioles, on the other hand, would probably happily pay the incentives to get the pre-2017...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - In need of more right-handed bullpen depth to account for Koda Glover's latest shoulder injury, the Nationals have agreed to terms with veteran Joaquín Benoit on a one-year, $1 million contract, according to a source familiar with the deal. The signing hasn't been announced yet, but Benoit was at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches today and already had a locker with his nameplate above it inside the Nationals clubhouse, according to another source. Benoit, 40, has a...

SARASOTA, Fla. - While the Orioles are staying quiet about Chris Tillman today, with no announcement made on their agreement, executive vice president Dan Duquette isn't necessarily done with the pitching market. Duquette will continue to check on available starters despite the Orioles guaranteeing Tillman $3 million with a chance to increase the overall value to $10 million, and Andrew Cashner $16 million with a chance to max out at $41 million. The club would like to insert a left-hander...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Bryce Harper didn't even wait for the question to be asked. He wanted to make this clear before any reporters assembled for his first media session of the spring could press him on it. "Just want to let you guys know I will not be discussing anything relative to 2019, at all," he said. "I'm focused on this year. I'm focused on winning and playing hard, like every single year. So if you guys have any questions about anything after 2018, you can call Scott and he...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles continue to make news on the first day of full-squad workouts by re-signing pitcher Chris Tillman to a one-year major league contract that guarantees him $3 million, according to multiple sources. Tillman was taking his physical at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. The deal is heavy in performance bonuses for innings pitched. He can earn an additional $7 million, according to a source. Tillman had a couple of minor league offers on the table, including one from the...