SARASOTA, Fla. - Adam Jones sat at his locker this morning wrapping tape around his fingers as sweat ran down his forehead. Players weren't due on the field to stretch for another hour. He was in full work mode in preparation for his 11th and perhaps final season with the Orioles. Jones stated again that the club hasn't reached out to his agent regarding a contract extension, He referred questions to executive vice president Dan Duquette, as he did last month at the annual FanFest event. Does...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Since the day he was hired, we've all wondered what kind of manager Davey Martinez would be, especially when it comes to in-game strategy. Having had no prior managerial experience, there's no advance scouting report to consider, only speculation based on his answers to various questions posed his way. We got a few glimpses into Martinez's strategic mindset over the winter, and we're starting to get more in these early days of spring training. Such as his philosophy...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - He won't be ready to open the year with the Nationals, but Joe Ross has every intention of being a significant contributor to the pitching staff later this season. "That's in my head, for sure," he said. "My arm will dictate that. But that's how I feel, and I'm looking forward to helping the team in the second half." Ross, who had Tommy John surgery on July 19, still has a long way to go to make it back to the mound at Nationals Park. But the last month has seen...

The Orioles could re-sign right-hander Chris Tillman any day now. Or he could go to another team. If he winds up back with the Orioles, my question would be: What took so long? Even in this slow market, couldn't we have expected Tillman and the Orioles to decide if they wanted a reunion or not by now? This one indeed has been dragging out. If the O's get their opening day starter from 2014-2016 back, we will eventually find out if he can bounce back from a terrible season. We may not truly...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Tim Beckham took his cuts in the batting cage yesterday afternoon beneath another gorgeous blue sky and headed to the Camden Yards replica field. He walked with Manny Machado and Jonathan Schoop, the trio shadowed by third base coach Bobby Dickerson. Dickerson, who also serves as infield instructor, kept hitting grounders to Beckham at third and Machado at shortstop. It ranks as some of the most important and closely scrutinized tasks in camp. Balls hit to Beckham's left and...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Sean Doolittle will be the Nationals closer to open the season. That declaration, made this afternoon by new manager Davey Martinez, did not constitute earth-shattering news. Given the way Doolittle performed late last season, and given the current makeup of the Nats bullpen, that was a foregone conclusion. The more notable development this season for Doolittle would involve not when he pitches but what he pitches. After firmly establishing himself as a top-notch...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Infielder Rubén Tejada has reported to camp, leaving only a few position players marked absent. Everyone is required to be at the Ed Smith Stadium complex on Sunday, with the first full-squad workout held the following day. Manager Buck Showalter said he hasn't seen outfielder Cedric Mullins and infielders Garabez Rosa and Éngelb Vielma, the latter experiencing a visa issue in Venezuela. "Did you see (Jake) Arrieta?" Showalter quipped. "Don't keep...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Davey Martinez is serious about keeping his workouts short and efficient. Today's session outside The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches, the second official pitchers and catchers workout, wrapped up in 90 minutes once again. Players were already back in the clubhouse well before the South Florida sun reached its peak. Don't confuse short workouts with lazy workouts, though. Players went through all the usual spring drills, and those pitchers who threw off the mound did so...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop said he regrets skipping the annual FanFest event last month at the Baltimore Convention Center and vows to make amends. "Yeah, of course, for the fans," he said upon reporting to camp this morning. "That's why I'm going to sign for them. Every fan, I'm going to sign for them and give them something back. I'm glad it's over and I can focus on baseball now so I can focus on being out there and helping the team win." Schoop declined...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Manny Machado's equipment bag from the World Baseball Classic arrived at his locker this morning a few minutes before the three-time All-Star, who walked into the clubhouse with a big smile on his face, approached every teammate, and offered a handshake and a hug. One at a time. Every player he could find. Machado and second baseman Jonathan Schoop have reported to camp two days before the first full-squad workout, best friends arriving almost simultaneously at the Ed Smith...