SARASOTA, Fla. - Time to lighten the mood around here at Orioles camp. Dylan Bundy surrendered his No. 49 to new pitcher Yovani Gallardo, a nine-year major league veteran who's grown attached to it. Bundy is wearing No. 37, which has been passed around like a bottle of Jack Daniel's at a tailgate. No. 49 came at a cost. Bundy will be compensated, a baseball tradition dating back many years. The trade nets him a gift to be named later. "I don't know yet," he said this morning, amused that...

It's been a somewhat quiet week on social media for the Nationals, which can be a good thing with the full team reporting and working out in Viera, Fla. They're more concerned with what they're doing on the field than what they're doing off of it. But how are the Nats winning off the field? (Anyone?) I found some nuggets for those of you who are wondering how the team is doing all-around at spring training. Earlier this week, MASNsports.com's Mark Zuckerman wrote about the story behind new...

VIERA, Fla. - Jayson Werth was back at Space Coast Stadium this morning, still under the weather but feeling better than he did Thursday, when the Nationals sent him home so his illness wouldn't spread through the clubhouse. A day or two off at this early stage of the spring won't do anything to set Werth back in his preparation for the season. But as he approaches 37, with a surgically repaired right shoulder he suggested still isn't 100 percent and a history of freak-yet-serious left wrist...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Adam Jones sat at his locker this morning and waited for the wave of reporters to roll in, the Dexter Fowler controversy still fresh and relevant. Fowler indicated to Jones on Wednesday that he was headed to Sarasota. He ended up in Arizona yesterday, back with the Cubs and insisting that he never had an agreement with the Orioles. "I know him personally, so it's good," Jones said. "We're moving on. We've moved on, he's moved on. "We've got a big day ahead of us today....

We probably won't get any answers from outfielder Dexter Fowler or agent Casey Close of Excel Sports Management on these questions, but we can still wonder about some of them. * If Fowler and Close sought an opt-out clause, why were they negotiating with one team that has said it will not provide one? In his statement last night, Close said, "Both the Orioles front office and members of the media were so busy recklessly spreading rumors that they forgot or simply chose not to concern...

VIERA, Fla. - Dusty Baker had plenty of time to think about what he wanted to say to his new Nationals roster in his first full-squad meeting Thursday morning. He prepared an outline in his mind, but he has always preferred not to write out an actual speech in advance. He'd rather speak from the heart once the time arrives. So what was Baker's message when he finally opened his mouth before Thursday's first full-squad workout of the spring? "You want them to start thinking like a...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Dexter Fowler won't be playing right field for the Orioles. Agent Casey Close won't be attending their next cookout. Tough day yesterday. The lingering question, besides trying to figure out why Close waited two days to deny the agreement and torch the Orioles and media, is who's joining Adam Jones and Hyun Soo Kim in the outfield on opening day? The Orioles are kicking around ideas, including just letting the in-house candidates fight for the job. Manager Buck Showalter...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Not only did the Orioles receive the news earlier today that outfielder Dexter Fowler decided to re-sign with his old team, they later absorbed thunderous blows from his agent via a statement. Casey Close didn't pull any punches. And Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette, in a much calmer but firm tone, didn't take them lying down. Fowler shocked the industry, at least outside Cubs camp, but showing up today and signing a one-year, $8 million contract that includes a...

VIERA, Fla. - Conditions weren't exactly ideal when the Nationals trotted onto the back fields outside Space Coast Stadium for their first full squad workout of the spring. Temperatures in the 50s? A 30-mph wind howling from the northwest? Not quite what Dusty Baker expected. "It was kind of chilly, considering we're in Florida," the new manager said. "But they didn't say anything. They just worked, which is what I like." Some observations (non-weather-related) from today's workout...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Today was supposed to be about Yovani Gallardo's first workout with the Orioles and the press conference introducing him to the local media. We'll start there before returning to the Dexter Fowler circus. Stay with me. "It's a great group from what I learned today," Gallardo said while sitting between manager Buck Showalter and executive vice president Dan Duquette. "They did a great job. They made me feel comfortable and welcome here in the clubhouse. I'm excited. I'm...