VIERA, Fla. - It's hard to read anything into spring training lineups when Nationals manager Matt Williams posts them early in the morning before exhibition games. But while quickly looking at Tuesday's lineup, I recognized that something important was going to happen when the Nats took on the Tigers. Most are probably thinking I'm talking about the hyped matchup between Nats righty Stephen Strasburg and Detroit ace Justin Verlander - and certainly that was fun, if even only for four...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles play three of their next four games in Fort Myers, twice facing the Twins at Hammond Stadium. They should be able to get there with their eyes closed, which may be more than just an expression, considering the challenges of this spring's schedule. Ubaldo Jimenez is making his fourth start, all of them on the road. Anyone remember Mr. Green Jeans on "Captain Kangaroo"? Well, Jimenez is Mr. Gray Pants. Jimenez allowed six runs (five earned) in 1 1/3 innings in his...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Spring training is a time for preparation, a time for players to reenter their comfort zone and get ready for a long and grueling season. But it also lends itself to experimentation. Ramon Martinez, hired by the Orioles as special assignment pitching instructor, taught left-hander Wei-Yin Chen a new grip on his changeup that more closely resembles a palm ball. Darren O'Day is trying again to master his own changeup after ditching the one he briefly tried last spring. Tommy...

LAKELAND, Fla. - Davey Johnson may have retired as Nationals manager after the 2013 season, but he continued to keep close tabs on his former ballclub from afar by watching virtually every game they played on television last year. "It's in your blood," Johnson said. "It was fun. I was addicted to it. I would check the paper. I don't think I missed but one or two games all season long." Despite intently watching his old team from afar, Johnson had not seen the Nats in person since he left...

LAKELAND, Fla. - Stephen Strasburg appeared to be in midseason form throughout today's start. The Tigers only managed three hits while Strasburg struck out five in four scoreless innings in the Nationals' 6-4 victory. Detroit's lineup saw the full repertoire from the big righty. "Two-seamer was working pretty well, changeup got better as the game went on and curveball, I was able to throw it for a strike today," Strasburg said. "Everything was working pretty well." Strasburg threw 44 of...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Nolan Reimold was drafted by the Orioles in 2005 and spent his entire career in the organization until last summer. Designated for assignment by the club last July 1, he was claimed off waivers by Toronto and also played with Arizona. For the first time, he was an ex-Oriole. Now Reimold is back with the club - where he wanted to be this year all along - is hoping to finally return to complete health and to make his way back to the major leagues. Reimold is now fully recovered...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles infielder Ryan Flaherty underwent a SCAT3 test, per standard procedure, after being hit on the batting helmet today by a Brian Duensing pitch in the sixth inning. Flaherty will be reevaluated in the morning. Flaherty left the complex after telling teammates that he was fine. One player said the ball hit Flaherty on the back of the helmet. Orioles manager Buck Showalter removed Flaherty from the travel roster for Wednesday's game against the Twins in Fort Myers. "I...

SARASOTA, Fla. - There were no steal attempts and it was not a very eventful day for Orioles catcher Matt Wieters. But his comeback from Tommy John surgery took a significant step today when he caught six innings in the Orioles' 10-9 loss to Minnesota at Ed Smith Stadium. This was not a B or intrasquad game and he was in live game action against another big league opponent for the first time since last May, making his Grapefruit League debut. Before the game, he said the sellout crowd warmly...

NATIONALS QUICK WRAP Score: Nationals 6, Tigers 4 Recap: Tony Gwynn Jr. and Kila Ka'aihue homered off Tigers starter Justin Verlander who gave up four runs on five hits. Meanwhile, Stephen Strasburg shut out the Tigers in his four frames, allowing just three hits with five strikeouts. Nats reliever Jerry Blevins had a rough outing, allowing a three-run homer to Tigers left fielder Tyler Collins in the eighth. Need to know: Bryce Harper was 0-for-3 with with two strikeouts and is now hitting...

SARASOTA, Fla. - So far for Orioles starter Bud Norris, he is increasing his innings total each start and working on his pitches. But he has not gotten solid results yet during spring training. Norris gave up five hits and three runs over four innings today. He walked one, fanned one and allowed two homers against the Twins at Ed Smith Stadium. A brisk wind to left-center may have aided one or both Twins home runs. He has pitched 7 2/3 innings over three starts, allowing 13 hits and 10 runs,...