VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals left Space Coast Stadium quietly in their final Grapefruit league home game. Mets starter Jonathon Niese and three other relievers combined to shut out the Nats 2-0 while only allowing six hits. Left-hander Gio Gonzalez turned in his third straight strong start for the Nationals, giving up two runs on seven hits with a walk and six strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings. "I felt great," Gonzalez said. "The only thing I was kind of upset about was the walk, but even on the...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Veteran left-hander Mark Hendrickson requested a conference call with the local beat crew today to announce that he's retiring from baseball after 10 seasons in the majors, the last three with the Orioles. Hendrickson said he's been in contact with manager Buck Showalter about a future role in the organization. He also has interest in pursuing professional golf. I'm guessing custom-made clubs. Hendrickson was 58-74 with a 5.03 ERA in 328 games in the majors, his last...

The Orioles have announced the return of the fan-favorite AT&T Fans' Choice Bobblehead promotion for 2015. Fans will once again be able to select the player they want to be immortalized in a bobblehead giveaway, scheduled to be distributed during Fan Appreciation Weekend on Sunday, October 4 to the first 25,000 fans age 15 and over. Fans can vote for any of five players who have never been featured as an Orioles bobblehead: left-hander Zach Britton, left-hander Wei-Yin Chen, right-hander...

ORIOLES QUICK WRAP Score: Rays 4, Orioles 3 Recap: Kevin Gausman didn't get through the fourth inning, allowing four runs and seven hits in 3 2/3. He walked one and struck out none. Asdrubal Cabrera had an RBI double off Gausman in the first and David DeJesus homered leading off the third. The Rays added two more runs in the third on Desmond Jenning's sacrifice fly and Logan Forsythe's RBI double. Rule 5 pick Jason Garcia tossed 2 1/3 scoreless and hitless innings, walking one batter and...

NATIONALS QUICK WRAP Score: Mets 2, Nationals 0 Recap: Left-hander Gio Gonzalez allowed two runs on seven hits with a walk and six strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings. He also gave up his first home run of the spring, a solo shot by Mets right fielder John Mayberry Jr. Mets pitching, led by starter Jon Niese, shut out the Nats, who were only able to collect six hits on the day. Need to know: Mets lefty Jerry Blevins returned to Space Coast Stadium for three pitches, all strikes, against Bryce Harper...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Kevin Gausman threw 20 pitches in the top of the first inning today and fell behind 1-0 to the Rays at Ed Smith Stadium. John Jaso drew an eight-pitch walk with one out and scored on Asdrubal Cabrera's double to left-center field. Manny Machado got the final out by backhanding James Loney's bouncer and making the throw from foul territory. It wasn't even close at first base. Vintage Machado. Chris Tillman stepped outside the clubhouse earlier today to meet with reporters and...

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...