WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Adam Eaton's reconstructed knee has been getting put to the test today, though it couldn't have been bothering him too much as he rounded the bases following a dramatic home run. Tanner Roark, meanwhile, slogged through a ragged start that lasted only three innings, included some wild command and low radar gun readings. Put it all together, and it's already been an eventful game between the Nationals and Mets. Eaton got a nice ovation from the crowd (and even from the...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Jeremy Hellickson was in Southern California on Friday afternoon, expecting to throw four innings of a simulated game against fellow unemployed Scott Boras clients who have gathered to work out together, when he got the call. The Nationals were offering him a minor league contract, and though that carried no official assurance of a spot on the big league roster, the opportunity was too good to pass up. "They were actually the first team that called," Hellickson said....

SARASOTA, Fla. - After a stellar 2017 season, one that started with him in the Carolina League and ended in the American League, Austin Hays' chance to make the Orioles opening day roster was briefly derailed this spring. The Orioles' 22-year-old outfielder dealt with a sore shoulder early in camp. An MRI showed some inflammation behind his right shoulder. Hays got a cortisone injection Feb. 28 and missed six games. He returned to the lineup as the designated hitter on March 7 and then missed...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter is sticking to his plan of starting Chris Davis in Sunday's game against the Mets in Sarasota. Davis campaigned for today's game, which fell on his 32nd birthday, but he gets one more day in his recovery from a strained right elbow/forearm. "He tried to talk me into playing today, but we have a plan and a process and we'll stick to it until tomorrow," Showalter said. "He's going to do everything again today." Danny Valencia has been taking...

Nationals minor league roving coordinator and former Triple-A Syracuse manager Billy Gardner Jr., was a third baseman in the majors himself, so he has a unique perspective when working with third base prospect Drew Ward. Gardner believes Ward has a chance to make it to the next level. Ward had a very good start to the 2016 campaign at high Single-A Potomac, hitting .278 with 11 homers and 32 RBIs. Last season, Ward played in 121 games at Double-A Harrisburg, hitting .235 with 10 homers and 53...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Mark Trumbo isn't going to rush the process in his recovery from a strained right quadriceps muscle. He won't create a specific timetable for his return, seeing no benefit in setting himself up for disappointment. Trumbo is headed to the disabled list with a Grade 2 strain, opening up the designated hitter slot while closing his chances of playing on opening day. The early estimates have him missing at least three to four weeks. "I don't think it's beneficial to try to...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - It's been an awfully quiet spring around here, but that's starting to change. Jeremy Hellickson was in the clubhouse this morning trying on his No. 58 jersey (though the signing won't become official until tomorrow). And the Nationals lineup for today's game against the Mets has a whole lot of interesting things going on. We'll begin with the most important development: Adam Eaton is making his Grapefruit League debut at last, nearly 11 months after tearing the ACL...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter is resting some of his regulars today who made the East Coast trip, with Manny Machado and Jonathan Schoop listed as reserves for a 1:05 p.m. game against the Blue Jays at Ed Smith Stadium. First baseman Chris Davis won't play until Sunday. Trey Mancini gets another start at first base. Danny Valencia is the third baseman today and the middle infield will be handled by Engelb Vielma and Luis Sardiñas. Colby Rasmus is serving as the designated...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles' East Coast road trip produced a win, a tie, some good starting pitching and more good hitting from shortstop Manny Machado and second baseman Jonathan Schoop. The Orioles' double play duo looks ready to start the year. Machado is batting .425/.465/.775 this spring, going 17-for-40 with three homers and 15 RBIs. He had a double in Friday's 4-4 tie in Port St. Lucie with the Mets. "You know what? I just try to be consistent," Machado said. "Try to be consistent...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - For months, we wondered how motivated the Nationals were to try to upgrade their rotation, whether they'd go all-in on Jake Arrieta, get involved in the trade market for Gerrit Cole or ultimately decide simply to stick with what they had and then re-examine the situation later this summer. What seemed clear from the get-go, though, was that any addition made by general manager Mike Rizzo would be for a top-tier starter, someone who could slot in behind Max Scherzer and...