VIERA, Fla. - As much as we focus on the guys who will be starting on a daily basis for the Nationals during the course of the season, spring training really is more about who will be backing up those starters, the jobs that actually are up for grabs in March. With that in mind, it seems like an appropriate time to assemble an updated organizational depth chart. This isn't anything official, just an educated glimpse at how the Nats stack up at every position on the field. This includes...

SARASOTA, Fla. - If we could survey the collective pulse of Birdland this morning, it is probably beating at a normal pace right now. Nothing that a few wins and a few good pitching performances couldn't help. When the Orioles started their spring training schedule 0-10-2, they allowed 87 runs and some of the fans were getting nervous. Some were very nervous. Now, after a run of 5-2-1 where they allowed 43 runs, the concern is lessened. While 43 runs is not a small total, they had games in...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Chris Tillman remains the Orioles' starter for today's game against the Rays at Ed Smith Stadium. Manager Buck Showalter didn't switch Tillman's assignment following yesterday's rainout in Port Charlotte. Jonathan Schoop will start at second base, making at least one young fan extremely happy. He's not just any fan. He's a 5-year-old boy fighting T-cell leukemia. Give him Jonathan Schoop. Give him anything he wants. The Orioles, through the Casey Cares Foundation,...

VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals trimmed their spring training roster a bit more Saturday, reassigning infielder Jason Martinson to minor league camp and granting outfielder Logan Schafer his unconditional release. Martinson hit .292 (7-for-24) with two RBI, four walks and 11 strikeouts this spring as a non-roster invitee. The 27-year-old infielder, a fifth-round pick in the 2010 draft, spent last season at Triple-A Syracuse, where he hit .218 with 19 homers, 56 RBIs and a .299 on-base percentage in...

VIERA, Fla. - Bronson Arroyo thought three days ago his career was over. Now he thinks he may have one last shot to take a big league mound again after being told by Nationals doctors his right shoulder isn't as damaged as initially feared. "It isn't often that you get a really, really bad prognosis," Arroyo said, "and call 30 of your closest friends and tell them: 'Man, I guess I got checkmated today. I'm taking it to the house.' And then a couple days later, they say maybe you've got...

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Rays starter Chris Archer threw his first pitch this afternoon to Orioles center fielder Julio Borbon and rain began to fall. The dark clouds and flashes of lightning weren't a tease. Borbon flied to center, Nolan Reimold struck out swinging and the grounds crew unrolled the tarp. Two batters and the Orioles had their first delay of spring training. A few minutes later, they had their first cancellation. Archer threw six pitches, five for strikes. Yovani Gallardo never...

VIERA, Fla. - Good afternoon from Space Coast Stadium, where the Nationals and Mets hope to complete their home-and-home series. Unfortunately, the forecast is not looking good. There's a massive storm approaching from the west. Seems to only be a question of when it arrives, not if it will arrive. For now, they're planning to start the game on time, with Joe Ross on the mound for the Nationals. It'll be Logan Verrett for the Mets, who decided to hold originally scheduled starter Matt Harvey...

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Mark Trumbo is heating up as the Orioles steadily improve their win total in spring training. Trumbo went 1-for-3 with an RBI single on Thursday in Sarasota and was 2-for-4 with a home run and four RBIs last night in Tampa. His average has climbed to .297 in 12 games, with two home runs and eight RBIs. The strikeout total has risen to 13 in 37 at-bats and they were coming in bunches until late this week. "The last two days, much better," Trumbo said this morning. "Kind...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Julio Borbon is starting in center field today for the Orioles after coming over from minor league camp. Borbon was re-signed to a minor league deal last week. Outfielder Xavier Avery injured his right hip two nights ago and said this morning that he needs to take off a couple days. Otherwise, he would have been playing center field today. Pedro Alvarez is playing first base and Hyun Soo Kim is in left field. Christian Walker is serving as the designated hitter. For the Orioles...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles haven't posted their lineup, but left-hander Brian Matusz will accompany them to Port Charlotte for today's game against the Rays. Matusz hasn't pitched since March 2 due to a strained muscle in his lower back. Other relievers behind starter Yovani Gallardo include T.J. McFarland, Brad Brach, Chaz Roe, Pedro Beato and Todd Redmond. Pedro Alvarez and Hyun Soo Kim also are on the trip. Matt Wieters is taking live batting practice this morning after hitting off a...