SARASOTA, Fla. - In his brief pro career, and certainly as an amateur pitcher, right-hander Hunter Harvey must not have had too many days like Sunday. Pitching in Fort Myers against the Minnesota Twins, the 21-year-old right-hander allowed three hits, two walks, threw a wild pitch and gave up five runs in just 1/3 of an inning. Two runs scored after Jason Garcia replaced him. This morning, Orioles manager Buck Showalter announced that Harvey has been reassigned to minor league camp. Not because...

VIERA, Fla. - In the few weeks he's been around Bryce Harper on a regular basis, new Nationals manager Dusty Baker has enjoyed getting to know the reigning National League MVP. Managing stars is hardly new territory for Baker - he's skippered clubs with Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa and Joey Votto, among others - but Harper's unbridled enthusiasm for the game and his encyclopedic knowledge of its history and players have made their mark. "He's a very knowledgeable young man," Baker said when...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Left-hander Brian Matusz will try to throw off a mound today in the next step in his recovery from a strained muscle in his lower back. Matusz has made only one appearance, allowing a run and two hits in one inning against the Braves on March 2. Matusz session comes one day after left-hander T.J. McFarland threw about 25 pitches in the bullpen. McFarland had some inflammation in his elbow. Jeff Beliveau played long toss yesterday after throwing live batting practice Saturday...

VIERA, Fla. - Just as Dusty Baker promised, Ryan Zimmerman is back in the Nationals lineup today as the designated hitter. Assuming he comes through today's assignment with no ill effects from the plantar fasciitis in his left foot, Zimmerman should make his spring debut at first base in the next couple of days. Center fielder Ben Revere, who was struck on the left shoulder by a pitch as he awkwardly swung at it yesterday, is also back in the lineup. The Astros will pitch left-hander Dallas...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Pedro Alvarez, who had an RBI double yesterday in his Orioles debut, is serving as the designated hitter this afternoon versus the Phillies at Ed Smith Stadium. Ryan Flaherty is leading off and playing second base. Mark Trumbo is in right field and Nolan Reimold is in left. Caleb Joseph is catching in back to back games. For the Orioles Ryan Flaherty 2B Manny Machado 3B Chris Davis 1B Adam Jones CF Pedro Alvarez DH Mark Trumbo RF Nolan Reimold LF J.J. Hardy SS Caleb Joseph...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are expected to make a bunch of roster cuts today. They didn't send out anyone yesterday, which came as a bit of a surprise, but they should be active this morning and perhaps following the game. I'd expect Hunter Harvey to be reassigned to minor league camp. Not as a punishment after allowing five runs yesterday in one-third of an inning, but because he needs to do some side work and continue preparing for the season. He hasn't pitched since 2014. We'll need...

SARASOTA, Fla. - A few quotes and notes about the Orioles, who are 1-11-2 with 19 spring games remaining before opening day. They lost 14-5 to Minnesota yesterday, allowing 10 or more runs for the fifth time. * At this point, you have to wonder if the Orioles are concerned about right-hander Miguel Gonzalez. After pitching to an ERA of 6.14 in 10 starts after the 2015 All-Star break, his spring ERA is 22.24 through three starts. O's starting pitchers have allowed six runs or more three times...

VIERA, Fla. - The significance of Dusty Baker's starting lineup Sunday against the Cardinals was not lost on observers inside and outside of the Nationals clubhouse. For one thing, guys who spent much of last season on the sidelines - Jayson Werth, Anthony Rendon and Ryan Zimmerman - were part of the lineup. The key offseason additions were represented, Ben Revere atop the order to lend some speed and Daniel Murphy batting fifth to add protection and length to the order. The pitcher was Max...

FORT MYERS, Fla. - During a game that took 3 hours, 19 minutes, where his team allowed runs in five different innings, Orioles manager Buck Showalter saw some good and not so good today. On a plus note, Pedro Alvarez played for the first time as an Oriole. He crushed a 1-1 pitch in the top of the first for an RBI double during a 1-for-3 day. But O's pitchers allowed 15 hits and 10 walks in a 14-5 loss to Minnesota. The Orioles are 1-11-2. "Yeah, he (Alvarez) was solid," Showalter said. "I...

VIERA, Fla. - Having watched the mastery of Max Scherzer mostly from afar and on television, Nationals manager Dusty Baker is still getting to know his ace. On Sunday, Baker got a lesson in how zoned in the right-hander gets during his starts when he attempted to congratulate him on a strong four-inning effort. "Max looked great. He was sharper today than he was, which you expect and you hope," Baker said. "One thing I learned today is you don't give him five when he comes in the dugout. He...