A groin strain almost derailed a promising 2017 campaign for Nationals outfielder Brian Goodwin. His last game was Aug. 13, but was able to return to make the postseason roster. "It was just a battle," Goodwin said at Nationals Winterfest. "It was devastating the time that it happened. Clearly, I wasn't in the best mood, but I think it pushed me to do what I had to do to get back for my guys and my team and for myself, because I knew how important that postseason potentially was." And it...

If visions of sugarplums are dancing in your heads on this Christmas morning, you may want to dilute the eggnog. You also might want to skip the malls in the future and do your one-stop shopping on this blog with all of your Orioles questions. But they tend to repeat like garlic shrimp. Chestnuts are roasting on the hot stove as we stay in a festive mood. Santa has his bag of toys and I have my mailbag. I'm not much of a dancer, but I've gotten Blitzen on eggnog. And so much for a silent...

Perhaps Nationals slugger Bryce Harper has learned a thing or two about being politically correct from his time in the nation's capital. Tonight, before the Capitals played the Vegas Golden Knights, Las Vegas native Harper was at center ice to drop the ceremonial first puck between Caps star Alex Ovechkin and Golden Knights left wing James Neal. Pay particular attention to the ensemble Harper wore for his pregame duties: a Golden Knights jersey (he's a regular at T-Mobile arena for the home...

Whatever happens to Zach Britton moving forward from his Achilles surgery, gentle steps on the road to recovery, he's expected to remain in the organization that drafted him and eventually found the ideal role. Talk of releasing him should be muted, from what I've been told. It's complicated, but Britton would receive his full salary despite no resolution for 2018 after the Orioles tendered him a contract. They remain encouraged by the possibility of his return before the All-Star break. The...

Catcher Matt Wieters' influence on the success of the Nationals pitching staff cannot be underestimated. From Gio Gonzalez increasing his tempo between pitches to Tanner Roark using all of his pitches in unique situations, Wieters has been able to bring out the best in each of his pitchers. Wieters said his philosophy has always been to measure and think out each pitch he suggests to the pitcher and not necessarily what the pitcher might have thought he should throw in a particular moment....

Dylan Bundy has reached the point of the offseason where he pays closer attention to the maneuverings, rumors and doses of news - both good and bad - coming from the Orioles. It's just done between hunting trips and workouts. Bundy found out about closer Zach Britton's ruptured Achilles and hoped that the reports were a mistake. "I think the first time I saw it was on Twitter or on TV and I didn't want to believe it at first. I thought it was just a typo," Bundy said this week on the...

The Washington Nationals agreed to terms on a one-year contract with first baseman/outfielder Matt Adams on Friday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Adams, 29, joins the Nationals after hitting .274 with 22 doubles, one triple, 20 home runs, 65 RBI, 23 walks and 46 runs scored in 131 games for the St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves in 2017. His 20 home runs marked a new career high, besting his previous high of 17 with St....

The Orioles announced four minor league signings, including three players who stay in the organization after becoming free agents. Left-handers Jayson Aquino and Andrew Faulkner and corner infielder Aderlin Rodriguez agreed to terms, as did right-hander Tim Melville, the lone outsider in the group. Melville, who's 28 and a former fourth-round pick, has appeared in six major league games with the Reds, Twins and Padres since 2016. He made one start for the Twins this summer, allowing five runs...

We couldn't end the year without giving you at least one more Ryan Zimmerman moment: Zim's amazing season continues: 3-4 2HR/3RBIs and still leads the NL in hitting. Nats 10 Braves 5 June 13.This one's for you 91 years young Thelma. Your grandson @ryryjones saved my pix. pic.twitter.com/LlRSmmVZT0 -- Bob Carpenter (@scorebook_bob) December 16, 2017 What happened: After missing some time due to back soreness, he made a triumphant return, hitting his 18th and 19th homers of the season and...

Life can throw you the sharpest of curveballs, the kind that dive in the dirt and freeze hitters, and relievers who make a living at it aren't immune. Brad Brach's heart is full with the arrival of his first child, a daughter, earlier this week. It also aches for teammate and friend Zach Britton, who underwent surgery yesterday to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon. Britton could be back anywhere from May to July, depending on the level of optimism. Yesterday's procedure went extremely well...