NEW YORK - A handful of New York reporters congregated near Manny Machado's locker this afternoon in the visiting clubhouse at Yankee Stadium, waiting for his arrival and switch from street clothes to batting practice attire. Machado eventually stood up, turned toward them and faced the music. He easily could have named the tune. The Yankees were one of the clubs engaged in winter trade talks with the Orioles regarding Machado and are forecast as the early favorites to sign him as a free agent...

There's a long way to go, a really long way, and nobody should give more than a cursory look at the standings on April 5, when the temperatures are in the low 40s and there's snow in the weekend forecast. But if you do happen to glance at the National League East tally right now, you might notice the team sitting atop the division doesn't wear red and isn't seeking its third consecutive title. No, it's the Mets currently residing in first place, now leading the Nationals by 1 1/2 games...

NEW YORK - Trey Mancini is leading off tonight and Chris Davis has moved down to fifth as the Orioles begin a four-game series with the Yankees. Colby Rasmus is the designated hitter and Anthony Santander is in right field. Chance Sisco is catching. Andrew Cashner is making his first career appearance at Yankee Stadium tonight. He's allowed four earned runs in 20 innings against the Yankees, with three walks and 12 strikeouts. Cashner is 5-3 with a 2.63 ERA in 11 career starts against American...

A new minor league season will begin tonight for three of the four Orioles full-season affiliates. Double-A Bowie, Single-A Frederick and Single-A Delmarva will get its seasons going while Triple-A Norfolk plays its opener on Friday night. Bowie, managed by Gary Kendall, hosts Harrisburg at Prince George's Stadium at 6:35 p.m. Frederick, managed by Ryan Minor, plays at Myrtle Beach at 7:05 p.m. Delmarva, and its first year manager Buck Britton, opens at home hosting Asheville at Perdue Stadium...

Stephen Strasburg charged up the home crowd with a pair of strikeouts and a scoreless first frame to get the home opener underway at Nationals Park. In the bottom of the first, Adam Eaton doubled to right-center field and scored on an Anthony Rendon single and a Jay Bruce bobble of the ball in right field. The error allowed Eaton to scoot home for a 1-0 Nationals lead. In the second, Bruce doubled and went to third on a groundout. With two outs, Strasburg walked Kevin Plawecki. Strasburg was...

After six games on the road, the Nationals are finally back in D.C. for their home opener against the Mets. It is also the first chance the home fans can say hello to their new manager. "For me, first and foremost, opening day in Washington, very excited," said Nationals manager Davey Martinez. "It's my first one as a manager. I'm super excited and elated. I know the players are, as well. Analyzing the first week, it's been a lot of fun. It's been positive. We are doing a lot of things...

Though he might not have been worried about his contract status, Mike Rizzo sensed it was starting to become a topic of conversation within the Nationals clubhouse. So when the opportunity arose this week to get a two-year extension finalized, the longtime general manager felt the time was right. "I thought it was important for the team not to have this as a distraction," Rizzo said this morning as his team took batting practice before its home opener. "And I thought going forward it was...

The Orioles today announced dates for six O's Zone events, presented by Budweiser. Each event will include Orioles giveaways, trivia and prizes, an appearance by the Oriole Bird, and autograph sessions with former Orioles players. Additionally, Rob Long, host of "The Mid-Atlantic Sports Report" on MASN and "Baltimore's Big Bad Morning Show" on 105.7 The Fan, the flagship station of the Orioles Radio Network, will emcee all six events. The first O's Zone event will take place on Friday,...

Hello from South Capitol Street, at long last. Yes, after a six-game road trip to begin the season - and then quite a disastrous commute into the city this morning - the Nationals are here and ready for their 2018 home opener. They come home having won four straight in Cincinnati and Atlanta before then dropping the final two games of the series against the Braves. And they now face the Mets, who perhaps will be their toughest challenge in the division this season, owners of a 4-1 record to...

The Washington Nationals have agreed to a two-year contract extension with President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo, keeping him with the club through the 2020 season. Rizzo, 57, was the first and most significant hire made by the Lerner family after assuming control of the Nationals franchise in July of 2006. Brought on first as Assistant General Manager, Rizzo's arrival in The District signaled a renewed emphasis on amateur talent and building a successful...