SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter continues to proceed as if Manny Machado will be part of his opening day lineup, though trade discussions haven't closed. There's no other way to handle the matter. Showalter has talked to Machado and Tim Beckham about the left side of the infield and how it might unfold. Machado could move over to shortstop, the spot where Beckham prefers to play. It's a delicate situation. "It's further along than it was," Showalter said. Any...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Pitcher Chris Tillman, who has a home here, is working out at the Ed Smith Stadium complex after receiving permission from the Orioles. Tillman is a free agent and manager Buck Showalter expressed interest today in bringing back the veteran right-hander. Showalter also said he'd like to hold onto free agent outfielder Craig Gentry, whose defense and speed are valuable assets. Showalter didn't dismiss the idea of bringing back Pedro Álvarez, but conceded it would be...

Single game tickets on sale March 1 at 12 p.m. Following the reveal of select promotional items on the team's Twitter account (@nationals), the Washington Nationals released the team's 2018 promotional calendar online at nationals.com/Promotions! "This season we have exciting offerings for fans of all ages and interests. From our expanded giveaway lineup for our younger fans - featuring a kids giveaway each month of the season - to more local College Days, Theme Nights and special-ticket...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The first day of Orioles minicamp wrapped up this morning with Rule 5 pick Nestor Cortes Jr. completing a bullpen session, pitchers running sprints and Dariel Álvarez playing catch on flat ground as he recovers from ligament-reconstructive surgery on his right elbow. Álvarez is converting from outfielder to reliever. Manager Buck Showalter is joined by pitching coach Roger McDowell, bullpen coach Alan Mills, bench coach John Russell, special assignment pitching instructor...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles announced this morning that assistant athletic trainer Brian Ebel has been promoted to the head position as Richie Bancells' replacement. Bancells retired in October after 41 seasons in the organization. Ebel, 51, has spent the last 21 seasons as the assistant and is entering his 34th year with the Orioles. He's only the fourth head athletic trainer in club history. A graduate of Eastern Kentucky University, Ebel began his career in 1985 at 19 when he served as...

The Baltimore Orioles have named Brian Ebel as the club's Head Athletic Trainer, and Mark Shires and Pat Wesley as Assistant Athletic Trainers. Ebel spent the last 21 seasons as the Assistant Athletic Trainer under former Head Athletic Trainer Richie Bancells. He is just the fourth Head Athletic Trainer in Orioles history since the franchise moved to Baltimore in 1954. The 2018 season will mark Ebel's 34th year with the Orioles organization. He began his career in 1985 at the age of 19 when...

The spotlight is shining now on a pair of Nationals prospects that pitched for the Mesa Solar Sox in the Arizona Fall League. Right-hander Kyle McGowin notched three wins in six starts for the Mesa. He recorded 27 strikeouts with no walks. His pitching coach in the AFL, Michael Tejera, said McGowin did well for himself as he prepares for 2018. The 26-year-old McGowin throws a fastball, slider and changeup. "Kyle has three pitches. All three pitches were working for him," Tejera said. "He was...

The Nationals need a fifth starter. Or do they? It's easy to look at the current state of the rotation and conclude there's a gaping hole behind the otherwise strong quartet of Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez and Tanner Roark. Joe Ross won't return from Tommy John surgery until July at best. Erick Fedde and A.J. Cole are unproven and/or uninspiring from what we've seen of each so far. And Edwin Jackson is an unsigned free agent, not to mention the ultimate journeyman who keeps...

If it seems like trade talk about Manny Machado has been going on for a long time now, that is because it has. The speculation and rumor mill kicked into overdrive at the Winter Meetings, and while it has cooled considerably since then, it still seems to be hanging over the team as the new year begins. It would seem that it is getting in the way a bit at this point, but maybe that is just due to the media focus. Perhaps team officials are much less focused on their All-Star third baseman who...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The first day of Orioles minicamp begins this morning at the Ed Smith Stadium complex, with pitchers scheduled to head outdoors at 10 a.m. A small group of beat writers will have clubhouse access for an hour. Temperatures climb into the 70s this week, but rain is in the forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday, which could move some of the bullpen sessions to the covered cages. Or, because it's Florida, the sun could come out two minutes after a downpour. In case you need a...