WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - We are down, if you can believe this, to the final seven days of spring training. Yep, one week from now the Nationals will be home in Washington, getting settled into their digs for the season and preparing to face the Twins in one last exhibition game on South Capitol Street before heading out to Cincinnati for opening day. Which means it's crunch time down here in Florida. All those decisions that have been looming for five weeks? It's about time to make them. All...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles third baseman Tim Beckham has a few things to look forward to this season. The challenge of playing a new position in third base for one. For two, he has a chance to get everyday at-bats for a team for the first time through a full season. He knows playing time is not guaranteed, but Beckham looks forward to the chance to be an O's regular in 2018. "It's very exciting," Beckham said. "You know you just want to keep your eye on the prize though. Keep having fun and...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Chris Tillman is toeing more than the pitching rubber. There's also a fine line beneath his spikes. Use spring training to work on various things, but also understand the importance of achieving results. Throw pitches in sequences that contradict your approach in the regular season, but also record outs and lower your ERA. It's the type of balancing act that can make a pitcher splatter from the fall. Tillman grasps the importance of today's start against the Tigers in...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles made a bold statement about their backup catching situation today by optioning Austin Wynns to Triple-A Norfolk. The remaining candidates are down to Chance Sisco and Andrew Susac. Wynns batted .222/.391/.556 (4-for-18) with two home runs, three RBIs, five walks and seven strikeouts. His work behind the plate earned him high marks, but couldn't prevent him from heading to minor league camp. "The way Austin is, he's just pushing all the time," said manager Buck...

JUPITER, Fla. - Common sense says A.J. Cole's shot at making the Nationals rotation took a major hit Friday when the club signed veteran Jeremy Hellickson to a minor league contract. Hellickson's deal may not officially include a guaranteed spot on the big league roster, but it's tough to see the Nats (or the 30-year-old right-hander) striking this arrangement without an implicit understanding. Cole, of course, can't allow himself to think that way. Until someone tells him otherwise, his...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles right-hander Dylan Bundy wanted to get some work on his curveball today. He was able to do that while getting his pitch count up in a start against the New York Mets. Bundy pitched 5 2/3 innings, his longest spring outing, and allowed five hits and five runs (four earned) with one walk and six strikeouts. He gave up one homer, threw a wild pitch and hit two batters. The last run on his record scored after he left the game. Lefty Luis Gonzalez replaced him in the sixth...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Dylan Bundy today became the first Orioles starter to clear five innings. He got his pitch count up to 96. His arm continues to feel good. Cling to the positives and divert your eyes from the stat line. Bundy was charged with four earned runs and five total in 5 2/3 innings, with five hits, one walk, six strikeouts, one home run, one wild pitch and two hit batters. He threw 58 strikes among his 96 pitches, going heavy with his secondary stuff and having mixed results with his...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles reduced the competition among left-handed relievers in camp this afternoon by optioning Donnie Hart to Triple-A Norfolk. Hart allowed three runs and 10 hits in eight innings, with three walks and 11 strikeouts. He appeared in 51 games with the Orioles last summer and was 2-0 with a 3.71 ERA and 1.397 WHIP in 43 2/3 innings. Joely Rodriguez and Josh Edgin are vying for a spot and their chances could be influenced by Rule 5 pick Nestor Cortes Jr., who might work out...

JUPITER, Fla. - Ryan Zimmerman's spring in hiding continues, but probably not much longer. The Nationals first baseman, who has been playing almost exclusively on minor league fields and not in big league games, will make his much-anticipated return to Grapefruit League action this week. Though Davey Martinez didn't give an exact plan that's to occur, the manager did acknowledge it's on the horizon. "Yeah, we'll get him in," Martinez said. "There's no real time frame for now, but he's...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Chris Davis will go from leadoff hitter today at Ed Smith Stadium to playing Monday afternoon in a minor league game at Twin Lakes Park. Manager Buck Showalter is going to find ways to get Davis more at-bats now that the Orioles first baseman is able to play without discomfort in his right forearm/elbow. A few other players will join Davis at the minor league complex for Triple-A and Double-A games, including catcher Caleb Joseph and perhaps outfielder Colby Rasmus. Showalter...