I have some housekeeping business to address before we get to the best of the Nationals getting ready for spring training. As I'm sure you've noticed by now, we have a new Nats beat reporter here on MASNsports.com, Mark Zuckerman! Guess the news is out there now: Yes, I've been hired as @masnNationals new beat writer. Thrilled to get started, heading to Viera tomorrow! -- Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) February 16, 2016 JUST IN: Welcome @MarkZuckerman as MASN's new #Nats beat writer!...

It's all been leading up to this: Baseball is finally back! Orioles pitchers and catchers reported to the Ed Smith Stadium complex yesterday, with the first official workout later today after the players take their physicals. Before we get to the best of the Birds getting ready for and arriving at spring training, I do have some non-baseball-related material to share with you first. And of course, it comes from Adam Jones. The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show was earlier this week, and as a...

VIERA, Fla. - It's another glorious spring morning here on the Space Coast - I'll try to stop making a big deal about that soon, promise - where Nationals pitchers and catchers today are undergoing their annual physicals, the final step before official workouts begin Saturday. Reporting day came and went, and as often is the case, it was quite uneventful. A few guys worked out on their own with members of the coaching staff. A few more strolled through the clubhouse at one point or another. A...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The first official workout of spring training will be held later today after players take their physicals. You can't be on the field without one. Stay tuned for photos of pitchers running and throwing; of catchers running and throwing; of at least a few position players running and throwing - and maybe hitting in the cage. We'll find out later if anyone has work visa issues. It's a frequent occurrence in camps and manager Buck Showalter is bracing for it. The physicals...

When the Orioles officially re-signed slugger Chris Davis to a seven-year deal worth $161 million, many fans were excited that the club was able to retain the power-hitting first baseman. He leads the majors in homers since 2012 and was the major league homer leader in both 2013 and 2015. But not all analysts saw the signing as a good one for the Orioles. Yesterday, the Davis contract was one topic debated on MLB Network's "MLB Now" show. Dave Cameron of FanGraphs.com was a guest. In his...

VIERA, Fla. - Wilson Ramos saw Ian Desmond, Jordan Zimmermann, Denard Span and Doug Fister all struggle at times in 2015, perhaps burdened by the pressure they faced to perform in contract years. Now Ramos finds himself in that exact same situation, hoping he can avoid the subject (and the struggles) while fully aware of what lies ahead. "It's hard to not think about that, but I'm trying not to think," the Nationals catcher said Thursday on the first official day of spring training. "I'm...

VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals have added another veteran to their mix of relievers battling for a spot on the opening day roster, signing right-hander Burke Badenhop to a minor league contract with an invitation to big league camp this spring, a source familiar with the deal confirmed. Badenhop has been a consistent performer during an eight-year career with five different clubs, posting a 3.74 ERA in 418 appearances with the Marlins, Rays, Brewers, Red Sox and Reds. He has made at least 50...

One of Baltimore's favorite boys of summer highlighted CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield's annual wintertime event to honor its nonprofit health partners in Maryland. Orioles outfielder Adam Jones was the featured guest of the company's CareFirst Commitment reception in Annapolis on Feb. 2. The five-time Major League Baseball All-Star spoke with elected officials and legislative leaders and visited representatives of the more than 20 nonprofit organizations that attended the event designed to...

VIERA, Fla. - Tanner Roark, of all people, knows how things can change in the blink of an eye. He learned last year never to assume anything when it comes to baseball. But make no mistake, the Nationals right-hander fully expects his role to be defined this season. And he expects that role to place (and keep) him in the Nats rotation. "I expect to start," Roark said Thursday on the day pitchers and catchers officially reported for spring training. "I'm coming in here to prepare as a...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Catcher Matt Wieters arrived in camp this morning with son Maverick. Nolan Reimold played catch on the field and Hyun Soo Kim ran sprints. J.J. Hardy and Jonathan Schoop played catch, grabbed bats and headed to the indoor cage. A few guys took grounders on one of the back fields. Workouts don't officially begin until Friday, but players volunteered to head outdoors and get the proverbial ball rolling. "It's pretty crowded," said manager Buck Showalter, who stayed indoors to...