The Orioles today announced their 2018 Spring Training promotions and special events schedule featuring many fun-filled promotional giveaways and events for fans to enjoy at Ed Smith Stadium. On Friday, February 23, the Orioles will celebrate Opening Day at 1:05 p.m. ET against the Tampa Bay Rays. All fans will receive a 2018 Spring Training magnet schedule, presented by Visit Sarasota, as the Orioles begin their ninth season at Ed Smith Stadium. Additionally, the first 1,000 female fans will...

The Washington Nationals acquired infielder/outfielder Matt Reynolds from the New York Mets in exchange for cash considerations on Monday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Reynolds, 27, appeared in 115 games for the New York Mets over the last two seasons. His versatility has allowed him to appear at shortstop (31 G/20 GS), third base (30 G/11 GS), second base (12 G/5 GS), left field (8 G/5 GS), first base (3 G/1 GS), and right...

The Nationals acquired utilityman Matt Reynolds from the Mets for cash considerations tonight, adding another versatile major leaguer to their mix of bench options this spring. Reynolds, 27, had been designated for assignment last week after New York signed free agent Todd Frazier. Reynolds will probably face long odds to make the Nationals' opening day roster, but he has one remaining minor league option and thus should stick in the organization one way or the other. Reynolds fills the 40-man...

When the Chicago Cubs agreed to terms with free agent right-hander Yu Darvish to a six-year deal worth $126 million, did they made a great move? After all, they added a pitcher pending a physical that is considered to be the top hurler on the free agent market - and one considered a No. 1 pitcher - for less than projected in November. They also didn't have to give up a draft pick. When Darvish was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in July, that meant he could not be made a qualifying offer to...

SARASOTA, Fla. - We've concluded the latest countdown in baseball's offseason. Orioles pitchers and catchers are required today to report to the Ed Smith Stadium complex. A couple of stragglers will show up later - after the Orioles figure out how to plug the holes in their rotation. The clubhouse opens to the media from 8-9 a.m. and manager Buck Showalter will be available before heading to the eighth annual OriolesREACH Birdland Golf Classic that benefits the Miracle League of Manasota. The...

The final countdown to spring training has arrived, so we're spending the final days of the offseason counting down the Nationals' top storylines of the spring. We conclude today with the underlying question not only of the spring but of the season: Is the window of opportunity for this franchise about to close at the end of 2018? We can talk about position battles, lineup choices, bullpen configurations and injury concerns all we want, but let's not ignore the elephant in the room. The...

As pitchers and catchers open spring training camps this week in Arizona and Florida, here's a look at the pitching storylines: Question: How will the Angels use Shohei Ohtani, the Japanese pitcher that wants to be a hitter and pitcher? Answer: Angels manager Mike Scioscia won't reveal specifics, but Ohtani will pitch and then be in the lineup between starts. Ohtani, 23, who signed for $2.3 million, has a fastball in the upper 90s and an excellent splitter. He's a left-handed batter that...

The Nationals were unable to get past the National League Division Series in 2016 and 2017. The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs each were able to down the Nats in five games in successive postseasons. In each of those heartbreaking series, starting pitcher Max Scherzer was not quite himself, suffering one season from a stress fracture in knuckle on his throwing hand to a hamstring issue this past campaign. #Nats say Max Scherzer won't pitch in WBC due to stress fracture in knuckle of...

The final countdown to spring training has arrived, so we're spending the final days of the offseason counting down the Nationals' top storylines of the spring. We continue today with the return of two key regulars from major knee surgeries ... One played the entire 2017 season, hobbled only at the very end by an injured knee that required surgery once the team was eliminated. The other played only four weeks in 2017, his debut in Washington abruptly halted by a nasty fall at first base that...

One more day until Orioles pitchers and catchers are required to post at the Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota, Fla. The first workout is held the following day. My first trip to Publix will come later this afternoon after my flight lands in Tampa, I hop into a rental car and make the hour drive to the hotel. I can do it with my eyes closed, but local authorities keep issuing warnings. The offseason began with the Orioles needing three starting pitchers to fill out their rotation and more if...