NATIONALS QUICK WRAP Score: Marlins 8, Nationals 0 Recap: This one was over quickly. A three-run homer by former Nats slugger Michael Morse began a Marlins onslaught in the first against right-hander Jordan Zimmermann. In the second, Marlins left fielder Christian Yelich added a two-run triple and right fielder Giancarlo Stanton followed with a titanic two-run homer. All told, Zimmermann gave up eight runs, seven earned, on nine hits with four strikeouts and no walks. Need to know: A double by...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Everth Cabrera is starting at shortstop again tonight for the Orioles in their game against the Pirates. Nolan Reimold is leading off and playing left field. Ryan Lavarnway is behind the plate. For the Orioles Nolan Reimold LF Steve Pearce RF Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Delmon Young DH Manny Machado 3B Jonathan Schoop 2B Ryan Lavarnway C Everth Cabrera SS Chris Tillman RHP

JUPITER, Fla. - Aside from starting pitcher Jordan Zimmermann, it's quite possible the Nationals are fielding their opening day lineup against the Marlins today at Roger Dean Stadium. Center fielder Michael A. Taylor certainly figured to be one to watch at the start of spring training, but the 23-year-old was thrust into the spotlight when Denard Span went down with core muscle surgery. Not only does Taylor's speed and athletic ability fill Span's void in center field, but he's also shown...

JUPITER, Fla. - Nationals manager Matt Williams announced this morning that third baseman Anthony Rendon will begin the season on the disabled list. The news comes on the heels of Rendon's trip to Vail, Colo., yesterday for a third opinion on his ailing left knee. Dr. Steven Singleton concurred with Dr. James Andrews on a sprained left MCL for Rendon, the same diagnosis originally made three weeks ago when the injury occurred. "It's an injury that's kind of (a) week-to-week type injury,"...

With Cy Young-type starters and a punishing lineup, the Detroit Tigers have been the best team in the American League Central - if not the entire league - for four consecutive years. But that's all changing. The Tigers have taken a step back, especially with their rotation. The Kansas City Royals, defending AL champions, are without pitcher James Shields, but they added power bats to a strong bullpen, speedy lineup and tight defense. The Chicago White Sox added to their rotation, lineup and...

With manager Joe Maddon, big-money pitcher Jon Lester and power-hitting prospect Kris Bryant, the Chicago Cubs are all the rage in the National League Central. But are they are a serious contender or merely hype? Have their young players matured enough to compete in what might be baseball's deepest division? The St. Louis Cardinals, who have won at least 90 games in four of the last six seasons, are as good as ever. The Pittsburgh Pirates have a reasonable chance to win a division after being...

VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals made a pair of roster moves this morning, releasing veteran utility man Kevin Frandsen and reassigning outfielder Tony Gwynn Jr. to minor league camp. The 32-year-old Frandsen was signed as a free agent last March 26, a day after he was released by the Phillies, and hit .259 with a homer and 17 RBIs in his lone season with the Nats. He played four positions - first base, second base, third base and left field - and quickly became a popular member of a veteran...

VIERA, Fla. - Tuesday stood to be an awkward day for new Nationals outfielder Matt den Dekker. Less than 24 hours after the Mets traded him to the Nats, he would be suiting up in Space Coast Stadium to play against his former team. "It's a little strange," admitted den Dekker. It helped den Dekker to see some familiar faces when he showed up in the Nats clubhouse early yesterday morning. Den Dekker, 27, and Nats outfielder Michael A. Taylor both attended the Winchester Academy and in Fort...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Chris Tillman won't throw his first pitch tonight against the Pirates until around 7:05 p.m. because the Orioles finally are playing under the lights at Ed Smith Stadium. This is only the second night game for the Orioles this spring. They have a 6:05 p.m. start Thursday against the Braves in Orlando and a 6:05 p.m. start Friday against the Braves in Sarasota. Everyone here has to adjust their body clocks. It's spring ahead, right? Bud Norris is pitching in a Triple-A game...

Chris Tillman is dependable. He thinks that is important, and said that among all the things he can do to help the Orioles, he is most proud of the ability to take the ball every fifth day for his team. They can depend on him to do that. "For me, that is big," Tillman said. "Numbers are numbers, but when you can go out for your teammates and fans and do your job every fifth day, that is important to me. First, you have to stay healthy and manage your body. I take a lot of pride in doing...