The Diamondbacks have been mentioned as one of the teams that checked in on the availability of Orioles third baseman Manny Machado. While the D-backs have Jake Lamb, who hit 30 homers and drove in 105 at third base, perhaps they have shortstop in mind when thinking of Machado. Either way, they have been one of the teams reportedly showing significant interest. According to this report last night in The Athletic (subscription required), the Diamondbacks are the "most persistent of the teams...

We have more insight from Mesa Solar Sox pitching coach Michael Tejera on the battery of Nationals pitchers and catchers employed in the Arizona Fall League this season. Right-hander Dakota Bacus appeared in eight games and 10 1/3 innings for the Solar Sox. Although he logged a 5.23 ERA in Arizona, he had an amazing year through two levels for the Nationals. Bacus combined to go 2-2 with a 1.80 ERA with five saves between high Single-A Potomac and Double-A Harrisburg over 23 games. He struck...

The Nationals are bringing back Edwin Jackson on a minor league contract, with a chance to compete for the final spot in their rotation this spring. Jackson and the Nats have agreed to terms on a deal that would pay the veteran right-hander $1.5 million if he makes the major league roster, with another $1.4 million possible in incentives, a source familiar with the contract confirmed. Though he'll get a chance to make the opening day rotation this spring, Jackson isn't guaranteed any money or...

Hints were dropped at the Winter Meetings that the Orioles could go with a three-man bench and carry 13 pitchers. Manager Buck Showalter never stated it as a certainty, but he implied that they could follow the trend in baseball. He also pointed out why it would be an extreme challenge. Why it seemed unlikely to transpire, circumstances stomping out the idea. "The problem is, if you look at our schedule and the way the game's going, most people are going with 13 pitchers, so now you're...

You already have Orioles FanFest on Saturday, Jan. 27 circled on your calendar. Who doesn't? Well, there are two more dates you need to be aware of ahead of FanFest, especially if you want to get autographs from your favorite Orioles at the Baltimore Convention Center. (If you need a reminder, FanFest will be held 11 a.m.-6 p.m., with early entry for Orioles season plan members beginning at 10 a.m. as part of the Orange Carpet Program.) Vouchers for autograph sessions at FanFest will go on...

Vouchers for autograph sessions at Orioles FanFest will go on sale Wednesday, January 17, at 10:00 a.m. ET. The list of autograph session times and participants will be posted online for preview at www.orioles.com/fanfest by 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 16. Orioles FanFest will be held on Saturday, January 27, at the Baltimore Convention Center from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with early entry for Orioles Season Plan Members beginning at 10:00 a.m. as part of the Orange Carpet Program. At this...

It continues to be a quiet offseason for the Nationals. (Though to be more accurate, it continues to be a quiet offseason for nearly every franchise in the sport.) The good news is that we are inching closer to baseball season. Pitchers and catchers report to West Palm Beach in a mere 34 days. So let's take some time this morning to answer your burning questions about the Nats. Ask about what moves they still may make before the start of spring training. Ask about players already on the...

Only eight of the 17 pitchers at the Orioles minicamp in Sarasota threw off a bullpen mound over the course of three days. Richard Bleier had sessions on Monday and yesterday. I'm including Ryan O'Rourke in the group of invitees because the Orioles wanted to check on him following ligament-reconstructive surgery on his left elbow that forced him to miss the 2017 season. O'Rourke and Dariel Álvarez, who had the same procedure on his right elbow, are in rehab mode. David Hess played catch,...

There was a time when you could find scouts who felt that Chance Sisco would never improve enough on defense to ever catch an inning in the major leagues. You don't hear that talk anymore - and he did, in fact, catch in the majors after a call-up last September. Now the talk more centers on just how much has Sisco improved as a pro on defense, how well will he do throwing out runners and how ready he is for a big league opportunity. In 2018, his chance could truly arrive, no pun intended. The...

The 2017 season was the year of the triple play for Baltimore. One of the rarest feats in baseball, the Orioles accomplished it twice in two different ballparks almost three months apart. The first was on May 2 at Fenway Park and was a bit unconventional. A popup from Jackie Bradley Jr. failed to meet J.J. Hardy's glove, but he quickly tossed the ball over to Jonathan Schoop, who tagged Mitch Moreland before touching second to force Dustin Pedroia out, then fired it over to Chris Davis to get...