VIERA, Fla. - Less than a day after being traded by the Mets, outfielder Matt den Dekker is in uniform against his former team. den Dekker isn't in the Nationals' starting lineup, but he does figure to get an at-bat or two and play in the field. "It's been a whirlwind of emotions and excitement to be over here," den Dekker said. "It's a great opportunity. I'm excited for it." den Dekker hit .256 with a homer, four doubles, a triple and seven RBIs in 22 Grapefruit League games with the...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles added to their collection of catchers today, acquiring Audry Perez from the Rockies for cash considerations, according to multiple sources. Perez, 26, appeared in three major league games with the Cardinals over the past two seasons and has two plate appearances. The Rockies signed him in November as a minor league free agent and he was 1-for-11 this spring. Perez, listed at 5-foot-9 and 230 lbs., is a career .270/.293/.413 hitter in seven minor league seasons. He...

VIERA, Fla. - After visiting orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews on Monday for a second opinion on his ailing left knee, Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon will now head to Vail, Colo., for a third diagnosis from Dr. Steve Singleton. "Every player has the option to go see somebody that they want to see, too, so we sent him to Andrews for the second (opinion)," said Nationals manager Matt Williams. "He's going to see Dr. Singleton today in Vail to get his thoughts, as well. We're just...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles sent out a new lineup this morning, with Chris Davis and Manny Machado moving up in the order and Jimmy Paredes dropping down to seventh. The names remain the same. For the Orioles Everth Cabrera SS Steve Pearce LF Adam Jones CF Delmon Young RF Chris Davis 1B Manny Machado 3B Jimmy Paredes DH Jonathan Schoop 2B Caleb Joseph C Kevin Gausman RHP Manager Buck Showalter stated the obvious today, confirming that Chris Tillman will start opening day. "There's a news...

SARASOTA, Fla. - For the second consecutive year, Chris Tillman will take the mound as the Orioles' starting pitcher on opening day. It's a streak that could continue to grow, given his progression over the past few seasons. Manager Buck Showalter confirmed this morning that Tillman will start against the Rays on April 6 at Tropicana Field. Tillman, who turns 27 next month, went 13-6 with a 3.34 ERA in 34 starts last year and exceeded 200 innings for the second consecutive season. He's 29-13...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy said he didn't know before yesterday's MRI arthrogram that he would be shut down for a minimum of 10 days and he's unable to provide a timetable for his activation from the disabled list. Hardy was diagnosed with a strained muscle in his left shoulder, an injury sustained during Friday's game against the Rays that eventually was called due to rain. "I think they found exactly what they thought it was," Hardy said this morning while sitting at...

VIERA, Fla. - Nationals outfielder Jayson Werth, who is recovering from right shoulder surgery, finally was able to take his first at-bats against live pitching when he participated in a minor league game yesterday. He doubled, walked and drove in a run on a grounder to short in his three plate appearances. "I felt like it was the first game of spring training," said Werth. "So if I had a month left, I'd be right where I needed to be. But I got six days, five now. We're gonna do all the...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles outfielder David Lough expressed his frustration today over a hamstring injury that's going to force him onto the disabled list. Lough no longer has back discomfort, but the left hamstring will prevent him from making the 25-man roster on opening day. "My hamstring was sore a couple weeks ago and then we think it went to my back and SI joint (sacroiliac joint)," he said. "It's just getting back to where I was at the beginning of spring training. We thought the best...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Everth Cabrera is getting another start at shortstop today for the Orioles, while J.J. Hardy receives treatment for a strained muscle in his left shoulder. Hardy said the shoulder feels much better, but the team needs to get the swelling down. He expects to field ground balls before he's cleared to swing a bat. Hardy also said he doesn't know when he'll be able to play. He's just relieved that surgery isn't necessary. Kevin Gausman gave up a tiebreaking two-run homer to...

VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals lost a valuable member of their bullpen yesterday when left-hander Jerry Blevins was traded to the Mets for outfield Matt den Dekker. Blevins was shaky for most of last season, as well as this spring, but nobody can argue what he provided for the Nats down the stretch a year ago - and especially in the National League Division Series. Blevins inherited runners all over the bases and was unhittable, pitching 3 1/3 scoreless innings in critical situations during the...