Just over a year ago, Max Scherzer arrived in the nation's capital with a ton of fanfare and a monumental contract. The former American League Cy Young Award winner then backed it up, becoming just the sixth pitcher to throw two no-hitters in a season. If not for a bizarre blip in Scherzer's season during August, the dominant right-hander might have found himself with a matching Cy Young Award for the National League. Scherzer shut down the Brewers, Pirates and Phillies during a three-game...

At just 24, Jonathan Schoop has proven to be a strong defensive asset in the middle of the infield. He has also showcased his power. Despite being limited to 86 games in 2015, the second baseman still belted 15 homers for the Birds. And were any of his home runs more impressive than his mammoth bomb off Johnny Cueto at Kauffman Stadium? Schoop got all of it, but the sky-high ball flirted with the foul pole and was just fair. Rewatch the huge 484-foot homer (and Adam Jones' awesome reaction)...

We've discussed the importance of the rotation bouncing back after a disappointing 2015 season, but the lineup also includes players who need to stay healthy and step up their games. Manager Buck Showalter recently provided a reminder when asked about second baseman Jonathan Schoop perhaps taking the next step in his progression. "We had Jonathan, what, for maybe half the year last year?" Showalter asked. "We had Matt Wieters about half the year. He just started getting into his own about...

On Jan. 25, Rob Manfred celebrated his one-year anniversary as commissioner of Major League Baseball. He started a five-year term last year as Bud Selig's successor. Manfred served as MLB's vice president of labor relations before being named the league's chief operating officer in 2013. A Harvard Law graduate, he had served as the head of labor negotiations for 19 years since the 1994 strike and he was a key component in implementing baseball's current drug testing system. Manfred has a...

Can't wait for the start of the season. Is the Orioles' March 2 Grapefruit League opener too far away? Well, if you're near the O's Florida home, you can get a head start on the 2016 campaign with a boatload of family-friendly activities for fans of all ages at the Sarasota SpringFest on Saturday, Feb. 20 at Ed Smith Stadium from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Fans can watch the Orioles practice on the complex's back fields, then enjoy games and interactive activities on the East Parking Lot at Ed Smith...

The Orioles invite fans to celebrate the start of Spring Training at Sarasota SpringFest, a free, family-friendly event for fans of all ages on Saturday, February 20, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Ed Smith Stadium. Fans will have an opportunity to watch Orioles players practice on the back fields and enjoy games and interactive activities in the East Parking Lot, located next to the Left Field Ticket office. In addition to watching the Orioles prepare for the upcoming season, SpringFest will...

So what's an easier task: walking four times in a single game or walking down any street in the area without wiping out on the snow and ice? OK, I'll admit the latter is probably a much easier feat in comparison, but I figured I'd try to at least garner some sympathy for my clumsiness. But I digress ... In this week's #TBT, let's look back at one of the most amazing moments at the plate in 2015. OK, so when you think of a key offensive moment, you probably think of a huge home run or a...

The Nationals added some competition to the mix for their starting rotation when pitchers and catchers report next month by signing Bronson Arroyo to a minor league deal with an invite to major league spring training. Arroyo, who turns 39 on Feb. 24, hasn't pitched professionally since undergoing Tommy John surgery while with the Diamondbacks in July 2014. During his rehab, the veteran right-hander was traded to the Braves last June and then dealt to the Dodgers in July before becoming a free...

The Orioles' decision yesterday to designate outfielder L.J. Hoes for assignment came as a surprise, considering how the former third-round pick was expected to compete for a bench role, if not the starting job in right field. Hoes could end up clearing waivers and being outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk. He'd like to remain in the organization. I asked executive vice president Dan Duquette about the move, which was made to create a spot for outfielder/first baseman Efren Navarro on the 40-man...

If you read this blog daily, first of all, thanks. Second of all, you know by reading the comments that fans do worry. They worry a lot. Right now, Orioles fans are worried about a starting rotation that ranked 14th in the American League last year with an ERA of 4.53. That was one season after the O's starting pitcher ERA ranked fifth in the AL at 3.61 and the club won 96 games and the AL East championship. Yes, pitching is pretty important. It is just one writer's opinion, but USA Today...