The Nationals will be moving to a new spring training facility in West Palm Beach, likely in time for the 2017 Grapefruit League season. Yesterday, Florida Gov. Rick Scott held a bill signing ceremony that will pave the way for the Nationals and Houston Astros to share a 160-acre facility at the corner of Haverhill Road and 45th Street. Barring any complications, the new complex will be ready in January 2017. The Nationals and Astros previously agreed to a 30-year lease on the proposed...

So let's put my broadcaster partner to work this week and let Jim Palmer talk about his favorite book, "House" by Tracy Kidder. Before listening to Jim, consider this: The book is about building a house. It's about the architecture, the design, the people, the conflicts and the results. Jim found symbolism is this book related to building a wining baseball team. If you keep that in mind as you listen to Jim, I think you will find the analogy fascinating. When the book was published in 1985,...

Orioles catcher Matt Wieters is behind the plate on back-to-back nights for the first time since undergoing ligament-reconstructive surgery on his right elbow. Wieters has been resting or serving as the designated hitter on the nights after catching since he returned from the disabled list. Ryan Flaherty gets the start at second base tonight as the Orioles continue their series against the Twins at Target Field. Jonathan Schoop is on the bench after going 2-for-9 with a home run and two RBIs in...

Nationals ace Max Scherzer will look to get his team on the board against the Reds in tonight's second game of the series. Cincinnati has won all four meetings between the clubs this season. Reds right-hander Johnny Cueto will oppose. Cueto is 7-3 with a 4.06 ERA against the Nationals, but is only 2-2 in D.C. Both Denard Span (back spasms) and Yunel Escobar (left hamstring tightness) are out of today's lineup. For the Reds: 2B Brandon Phillips 1B Joey Votto 3B Todd Frazier RF Jay Bruce C...

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette is continuing his attempts to trade outfielder Delmon Young, who was designated for assignment on July 1. The Orioles had 10 days to trade or release Young, who was batting .270/.289/.339 with six doubles, two home runs and 16 RBIs in 52 games in his second season with the team. He was 2-for-19 in his last eight games. "We're still working with a couple of teams and hopefully it will come together," Duquette said. "We have a couple more...

The Washington Nationals may only be sending two players to the All-Star Game in Cincinnati next Tuesday, but they have arguably been baseball's best two players throughout this season's first half. Bryce Harper didn't just win a popularity contest with his National League record 13,864,950 fan votes, he more than earned his way to the Midsummer Classic. His .344 batting average is third best in the majors, 25 homers are second most and his 60 RBIs are the third highest total. Harper's .471...

He had played in only five games since June 17. Fifteen minutes before he was needed, he was waiting in the dugout. Then, in the third inning, an injury to a starter thrust Matt den Dekker into the game. Suddenly, after two outs in the bottom of the frame, he hit a crisp single to right field and couple of batters later, he is standing on third base. His team is down 1-0, and he has a chance to make a difference. den Dekker watched for any mistake by Reds starter Anthony DeSclafani. The...

The Major League Baseball All-Star Game is on Tuesday, July 14. At least one representative from each major league team plays for home field advantage in the World Series. Fans vote for the starting nine position players, a players' vote fills in reserves, and then the manager consults with the leagues and picks the pitching staff and remaining bench players. This year's contest is at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati. Two Nationals made it in - Bryce Harper and Max Scherzer - and that...

Kevin Gausman makes his third start of the 2015 season tonight as the Orioles continue their series in Minnesota. Is it also Gausman's last start before being optioned again to the minors? The Orioles need to create a roster spot Thursday for outfielder Nolan Reimold, who comes off the paternity list. As I've written, they could option a starting pitcher as the All-Star break approaches and bring him back in 10 days. It's a common move for the Orioles to send out a starter during that week...

Sometimes you get the clutch hits and sometimes you don't. Recently for the Orioles, they don't. They went hitless with runners in scoring position in last night's loss at Minnesota. But heading in to the night, the Orioles topped major league baseball in batting average with RISP: .306 - Orioles .301 - Toronto and Colorado But last night, the Orioles went 0-for-8 in RISP situations, and they are 4-for-42 over the last six games. Their four hits all came in one game, Sunday's 9-1 win at the...