WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - We haven't seen a lot of the Nationals' regulars during the first four games of the Grapefruit League season, but now we're about to start getting more of them. Five regulars plus Howie Kendrick (who might as well be a regular) are in the lineup today against the Marlins. That includes Trea Turner (leading off), Matt Wieters (batting second!), Bryce Harper, Anthony Rendon and Michael A. Taylor. And all five of those guys are scheduled to play again tomorrow when the...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Austin Hays in starting in right field today for the Orioles' game against the Rays in Port Charlotte. Hays had been used only as the designated hitter in Grapefruit League competition due to a sore lat muscle. Chance Sisco is catching again and batting fifth. Ryan Mountcastle is starting at third base. The Orioles continue to use Garabez Rosa at first base. For the Orioles Alex Presley CF Joey Rickard LF Anthony Santander DH Austin Hays RF Chance Sisco C Ryan Mountcastle 3B...

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Davey Martinez wants his guys to be aggressive on the bases, especially in spring training when the stakes aren't high. But the Nationals have already run themselves into eight outs on the bases in their first four Grapefruit League games. Isn't that at least some cause for concern? "That's OK. That's OK," Martinez insisted yesterday following a 2-1 loss to the Braves in Lake Buena Vista. "I'd rather them be aggressive that way and not take any chances. We talked...

Since it is never too early to try and predict the opening day 25-man Orioles roster, let's take a shot today. Yes, it is likely that more players will get added and there could be other changes, injuries and/or trades. So we take a shot as of the morning of Feb. 27. Everything is subject to change. Starting rotation (5): Dylan Bundy, Kevin Gausman, Andrew Cashner, Chris Tillman and an in-house candidate. I'll make Nestor Cortes Jr. my clubhouse leader for the last spot. As a Rule 5 pick, he...

SARASOTA, Fla. - As a regular presence in major league camp whether healthy, injured or recovering, Hunter Harvey would figure to own at least a couple of Grapefruit League starts. He's always been thrust into a rotation, the bullpen only serving as a place to warm up. Three relief appearances in 2015 and 2016. That's the extent of his spring training experience. The streak ends today with Harvey, no longer slow-played or stalled due to physical issues, including Tommy John surgery in July...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter said he didn't see the collision earlier today involving Orioles pitcher Kevin Gausman and Tigers infielder Jeimer Candelario. He heard it. Gausman avoided a trip to the hospital after passing a series of concussion tests, but the Orioles will check him closely on Tuesday after he reports to the complex. "I was watching the ball, the play," Showalter said. "It's one of your players that has a collision. Concerned about it. It's not a...

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The pitching line - one run, four hits, one walk, one strikeout in two innings - made this, in Erick Fedde's own words, a "pretty mediocre outing." The more important numbers from Fedde's spring training debut, though, might have been 93 to 96. That's what the radar gun at ESPN Wide World of Sports consistently flashed on the Nationals right-hander's fastballs, a significant increase in velocity from the last time we saw him pitch in a game late last...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Kevin Gausman never made it to a local hospital today, passing the concussion tests at the Ed Smith Stadium complex while sporting a cut above his left eyelid. He lost some blood but kept his sense of humor. Gausman expects to be back on the field in a few days after colliding with the Tigers' Jeimer Candelario while backing up home plate in the top of the second inning. Gausman stayed on the ground for several minutes and left the stadium on the back of a cart after head...

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - Victor Robles has played in all four games of the spring so far for the Nationals, and he's done something that made you pause and watch in all four games, further emphasizing his potential star power for this franchise. Starting in center field and batting second today against the Braves, Robles has been up to his old tricks. He singled in the top of the first, then doubled in the top of the third before getting a bit aggressive on the bases and running into an...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Kevin Gausman's first start of the spring today ended with him sitting behind home plate with a towel pressed against his face. Gausman appeared to collide with the Tigers' Jeimer Candelario while backing up the plate on Leonys Martin's RBI single with one out in the top of the second inning. Candelario returned to the on-deck circle, flexing his leg, while head athletic trainer Brian Ebel and manager Buck Showalter checked on Gausman. As the Orioles prepared to bat in the...