KISSIMMEE, Fla. - It has been Danny Espinosa's nemesis for more than three seasons now, occasionally disappearing but almost always resurfacing to raise doubts about the Nationals infielder. And it is rearing its ugly head again this spring. Espinosa's left-handed swing, the one thing that has kept him from long-term success in the big leagues, remains an issue right now. After an 0-for-3 afternoon in the Nationals' 6-4 win over the Astros - to be fair, two of the outs came on bunts - he now...

DUNEDIN, Fla. - With a few Orioles pitchers not getting the results they want so far this spring, the competition for the Orioles' starting rotation might be more open than it appeared to be. While Chris Tillman made his first Grapefruit League start today, his spot in the starting five seems secure. But Miguel Gonzalez has struggled and Tyler Wilson, pitching in relief today, stated his case as the Orioles and Toronto played to a 6-6 tie in nine innings. He gave up just two hits over 3 1/3...

NATIONALS QUICK WRAP Score: Nationals 6, Astros 4 Recap: Gio Gonzalez was efficient for a couple innings but then started having trouble finding the strike zone, leading to four walks. That said, only one Houston batter crossed the plate against the lefty: Marwin Gonzalez, who homered to lead off the fourth. The Nationals already owned a 3-0 lead at that point, thanks to RBI doubles by Daniel Murphy and Michael A. Taylor in the top of the third. There were opportunities for more offense,...

ORIOLES QUICK WRAP Score: Orioles 6, Blue Jays 6 Recap: An O's starting pitcher allowed at least one first-inning run for the 12th time in 16 games. Chris Tillman, making his first Grapefruit League start, allowed two runs and five hits in 1 2/3. He gave up both runs in the first. Jonathan Schoop and Pedro Alvarez had RBI singles for the Orioles. Schoop and Joey Rickard had two hits. Rickard is now batting .294. Toronto's A.J. Jimenez hit a two-run homer in the seventh off Parker Bridwell to...

DUNEDIN, Fla. - It sure seems like Orioles pitchers give up a lot of first-inning runs this spring, and Chris Tillman allowed two today in his first spring training game. The Orioles were down 2-1 after the first inning. Tillman allowed a leadoff double to Toronto's Kevin Pillar, and one out later, he scored on a Jose Bautista single. Chris Colabello added an RBI single during the inning as the Blue Jays produced four hits. Tillman is making his Grapefruit League debut today, but he did pitch...

The early camp invitees take on the Mets in two games of a home-and-home series this week. Low Single-A Hagerstown manager Patrick Anderson is working with this roster all camp and had an update on infielder Ian Sagdal, a lefty-hitting 23-year-old second baseman out of Washington State. "He really can swing the bat from the left side," Anderson said. "Defensively, (infield instructor Jeff) Garber is really putting his hands on him to get him going defensively so he can maximize as much as he...

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Ryan Zimmerman will make his spring debut at first base Wednesday, an important milestone for the Nationals, who also are making sure they're exploring several backup options at the position in case they're needed. Zimmerman has been taking a slow approach to his preparation this spring, not wanting to aggravate the plantar fasciitis in his left foot that plagued him most of the 2015 season. Though he has taken grounders at first base and participated in most team defensive...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Left-hander Brian Matusz indicated that his back responded favorably after yesterday's bullpen session, his first since being shut down with a strained muscle in his lower back. "It was good," he said. "I threw about 25 pitches and felt good." Matusz has worked only one inning this spring, on March 2 against the Braves. He's been eager to resume throwing, but also understanding that he couldn't rush it and risk a setback. The next step is for Matusz to follow up with...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles catcher Matt Wieters said he "couldn't be more excited" about the results of yesterday's MRI on his right elbow. The MRI didn't show any structural damage to the elbow, which became sore after he made a throw to second base in the first inning of Saturday's game against the Twins in Sarasota. "MRI results look great," Wieters said this morning after summoning reporters to his locker with a playful, exaggerated wave of his arm. "Now it's a matter of just...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Christian Walker is starting in left field for today's game against the Blue Jays in Dunedin, a spot he could occupy this season at Triple-A Norfolk. Orioles manager Buck Showalter indicated that Walker could get some reps in the outfield, though it wasn't known whether it would happen in camp. Second baseman Jonathan Schoop is making another trip today. He's batting third, one spot ahead of first baseman Pedro Alvarez. Hyun Soo Kim is serving as the designated hitter. Joey...