The Orioles today announced plans for a series of “Countdown to Opening Day” events leading up to Major League Baseball’s Opening Day on Thursday, March 28, when the Orioles host the Los Angeles Angels at 3:05 p.m. ET. Beginning Saturday, March 16, and leading up to Opening Day, fans will have the opportunity to meet the Oriole Bird and Mr. Splash,

JUPITER, Fla. – And we’re back! Yes, after a nice little break at home, I’ve returned to Florida for the remainder of spring training. My thanks to Bobby Blanco (who, inexplicably, is still at the airport in Fort Myers waiting to fly home) for a great week of coverage in my absence. We’ve got some news on this Monday morning at Nationals camp. The

This spring the announcement of the Orioles' Opening Day starter seemed to come earlier than it has most years. But why wait? There were no surprises when manager Brandon Hyde told reporters Sunday in camp that right-hander Corbin Burnes will be first up March 28 versus the Los Angeles Angels. The Orioles acquired their new ace Feb. 1, and he will

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Nasim Nuñez is as relaxed as can be at Nationals spring training. Last December’s Rule 5 Draft pick is already right at home with his new team, often seen sitting at his locker and just hanging out with his fellow prospects Trey Lipscomb, Darren Baker, Brady House, Robert Hassell III, James Wood and Dylan Crews. “It's like a

SARASOTA, Fla. – Orioles third base coach Tony Mansolino carried his fungo bat to the left side of the cage yesterday and began spraying ground balls to infielders. He moved near the stands behind the plate and fired baseballs into the padding to get his arm loose, then threw his appointed round of batting practice. Also the team’s infield instruct

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Joan Adon is back at Nationals spring training competing for a spot in the major league rotation. His locker in the clubhouse is next to the regular starters. He’s being stretched out as a starter. And he works out with the other starters. Even so, there is hardly an expectation when the Nats break camp for the regular season tha

SARASOTA, Fla. – Corbin Burnes walked out of the dugout today before the top of the first inning and had no one behind him. Players stayed back as the club’s Opening Day starter approached the mound, as if honoring the staff ace. Or maybe they were just a little slower. But Burnes had the field to himself for a moment. The song “Friends in Low Plac

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Victor Robles is back in the Nationals lineup for this afternoon’s game against the Twins at Hammond Stadium, three hours away from West Palm Beach. The 26-year-old outfielder came out of the first game of yesterday’s doubleheader in the middle of the third inning after striking out against Astros starter José Urquidy in his seco

SARASOTA, Fla. – The assumption became official this morning. Orioles manager Brandon Hyde announced that Corbin Burnes will start Opening Day against the Angels at Camden Yards. Who else could have received the honor? Burnes stood on the mound for the last two openers with the Brewers, and he was the obvious choice again after the Orioles acquired

FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Nationals made their last trip across the state this morning to play the Twins this afternoon. A handful of regulars and a good number of prospects piled onto the team buses to make the three-hour trek to Fort Myers. Victor Robles, Luis García Jr., Ildemaro Vargas and Riley Adams are among the major leaguers in the starting l