The Nationals Fan Choice Bobblehead is back, and once again, the power is in fans' hands! Which player will be the latest to have his likeness translated into a bobblehead? It's up to you. All players who are currently on the Nationals active roster and who have never had a Nats bobblehead/figurine before will be eligible. But don't hesitate! This year's voting lasts just 24 hours. On Thursday, March 10 (also the Nats' first spring game airing on MASN), you'll have the chance to cast your...

VIERA, Fla. - The presumed opening day Nationals shortstop has played in only three of the team's first seven Grapefruit League games and has yet to reach base. Danny Espinosa is 0-for-7 with four strikeouts, yet all signs still point to him manning the position when the Nats open in Atlanta on April 4. If there are any signs of concern, they aren't evident. Espinosa may be stumped by his slow start at the plate, and he certainly doesn't want to waste an opportunity, not with promising...

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Dusty Baker smiled at the mention that the Nationals had just won their fourth straight spring training game, improving to 6-1 in Grapefruit League play. "That's fine with me," Baker said. "I'll take it." A lineup populated with few players who will head north with the Nationals dispatched the Astros 4-2 on Tuesday afternoon. Luckily, the battery of right-hander Max Scherzer and Jose Lobaton was mostly in synch, even if Scherzer did have to battle through a 37-pitch...

NATIONALS QUICK WRAP Score: Nationals 4, Astros 2 Recap: Max Scherzer struggled through two innings - throwing 37 pitches in the first inning alone, 13 in one at-bat against A.J. Reed - but allowed only one run on three hits in his second spring start. Yusmeiro Petit tossed three scoreless innings of relief, striking out four. Jose Lobaton drove in the first two Nationals runs. The others scored on Logan Schafer's RBI single and a run-scoring double by Scott Sizemore. Left fielder Tony Campaga...

ORIOLES QUICK WRAP Score: Red Sox 5, Orioles 1 Recap: Miguel Gonzalez allowed one run and three hits in 2 2/3 innings before reaching his pitch limit. Brock Holt, the second batter of the game, homered off Gonzalez. Darren O'Day gave up one run in the fourth after Boston loaded the bases with no outs. Nolan Reimold doubled to lead off the bottom of the first. Manny Machado and Mark Trumbo singled in the third. J.J. Hardy singled and tripled in his first two at-bats, and he scored on Joey...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter wouldn't comment this morning on Pedro Alvarez reaching agreement last night on a one-year deal. The move was referenced, the addition of a left-handed power bat implied, but nothing more. "You know, as we've been down this road a few times, let the process run its course," he said. "Then, we'll have plenty of time to talk about those things. I'm sworn to double-secret probation and I'm going to honor that protocol and process." I gave it...

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - At 6-foot-1 and a mailbox-like 250 lbs., with a perpetual all-business look on his face, Yusmeiro Petit looks like anything but a Swiss Army knife. A linebacker, maybe. Perhaps a barroom bouncer who's made a living at keeping the peace. But mention Petit's name to Dusty Baker and the Nationals manager's face lights up. Baker knows Petit, who inked a one-year, $3 million deal with the Nats in December after being non-tendered by the Giants, is potentially one of the most...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Ryan Flaherty couldn't resist, but he sure tried. Flaherty was asked earlier today about the Orioles reaching agreement with Pedro Alvarez, his close friend and former Vanderbilt teammate. He immediately shot a glance toward Adam Jones, a clear reference to the Dexter Fowler debacle. The Orioles thought they had an agreement with Fowler, who spoke to Jones on the phone and expressed his excitement over joining the club. Fowler shocked the industry by returning to the...

SARASOTA, Fla. - It's been a busy morning for the media at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. Injuries needed updating and players were asked for their reactions to the Orioles' agreement with Pedro Alvarez on a one-year, $5.75 million contract. Reliever T.J. McFarland said the X-rays on his left elbow came back clean and he feels great this morning. He isn't sure when he's going to start throwing again, but the news is encouraging. No MRIs are scheduled for McFarland, who exited Sunday's game...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Rule 5 pick Joey Rickard is in left field today and Mark Trumbo is in right for the Orioles' 1:05 p.m. game against the Red Sox at Ed Smith Stadium, which will air live on MASN. Nolan Reimold is leading off and serving as the designated hitter. For the Orioles Nolan Reimold DH Manny Machado 3B Chris Davis 1B Adam Jones CF Mark Trumbo RF Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Jonathan Schoop 2B Joey Rickard LF Miguel Gonzalez RHP