VIERA, Fla. - Nationals closer Drew Storen had surgery today to remove the hook of the hamate bone in his left hand. Manager Matt Williams said Storen will miss two to three days before resuming his throwing program but the closer is not in jeopardy of missing opening day. The surgery was on Storen's non-throwing hand. "He'll get back to throwing. Initially, until the stitches are out somebody will catch for him and he can throw simulated games behind an L screen just as long as he doesn't...

When the Nationals came to D.C. from Montreal for the 2015 season, they created a lot of buzz in the nation's capital. One of the interesting offshoots of their arrival was the plethora of fan blogs that were quickly established. These folks were the ones who created the Natosphere, the wonderful Internet gathering place for new Nats fans and baseball-starved denizens of the District and the surrounding area. Well, we noticed. And in 2011, MASNsports.com started offering daily in-season...

DUNEDIN, Fla. - On a day that Ubaldo Jimenez pitched three scoreless innings and one frame where he gave up three runs, Orioles manager Buck Showalter saw signs of progress from the right-hander. "Yeah, a little bit," Showalter said after the Orioles' 5-3 loss here to Toronto at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium. "There are some things that he is doing that I'm not going to say (are) drastic, but they are different for him. It will take a little while, but I think every outing has gotten a...

Here at MASNsports.com, we don't live in a bubble. We realize we're one of many places you turn for your Orioles news and views, though we certainly hope our blogs are among your first stops (and a place you visit multiple times each day). That's one of the reasons why, in 2011, we started featuring guest bloggers on our site. We realized the blogosphere - or is that blog-O's-phere? - was full of die-hard fans of the orange and black who were cranking out reports and opinions on the Birds...

This Saturday, March 14, the Orioles will feature two activities exclusively for children, as well as a Plush Cow promotional giveaway when the Orioles take on the Tampa Bay Rays at Ed Smith Stadium at 1:05 p.m. The first 3,000 fans through the gates on Saturday will receive a Plush Cow, presented by Chick-fil-A. Following the game, Schofield, Hand & Bright Orthopaedics will sponsor Kids Run the Bases, when all children ages 14 and under may run the bases like their favorite Major League...

ORIOLES QUICK WRAP Score: Blue Jays 5, Orioles 3 Recap: Ubaldo Jimenez pitched three scoreless innings and became the first Baltimore starter to pitch four innings this spring. But he allowed three runs on three hits in the second as the Orioles fell behind 3-2. He gave up an RBI single to Daric Barton and two-run double to former Oriole Chris Dickerson. Jimenez allowed five hits and three runs with no walks, one strikeout, a hit batter and two wild pitches. T.J. McFarland gave up two runs over...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Left-hander Brian Matusz is making his first spring start on Saturday against the Rays at Ed Smith Stadium. He may have flashbacks to his rotation days. Matusz has allowed one run and three hits in 3 1/3 innings, with no walks and five strikeouts, over two relief appearances. Why is he starting? Manager Buck Showalter said he wanted to stretch out Matusz this spring so the lefty could work on his changeup. Fans keep asking me whether he's being showcased for a possible trade,...

NATIONALS QUICK WRAP Score: Nationals 6, Astros 6 Recap: Bryce Harper had a two-run double and Ryan Zimmerman added an RBI single as the Nats scored three times in the third inning. Kila Ka'aihue and Rafael Bautista both drove in runs to give the Nationals a 5-4 lead. Doug Fister pitched 2 1/3 innings, giving up two runs, one earned, on four hits, with two strikeouts and two walks. Astros outfielder George Springer took Fister deep for the first of his two home runs on the day. Ian Stewart hit...

DUNEDIN, Fla. - Ubaldo Jimenez had a very strong first inning followed by a shaky second inning today against the Toronto Blue Jays. Toronto scored three times on three hits in the second to take a 3-2 lead on the Orioles at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium. The O's had taken a 2-0 lead in the top of the second. Jimenez, who gave up seven runs and four hits over 3 1/3 innings in his first two starts, made quick work of the Jays in the first. He retired Jose Reyes, Maicer Izturis and Russell...

DUNEDIN, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter said right-hander Ryan Webb is getting closer to pitching in a game and it could happen next week. The Orioles reliever has been recieving treatment on his left knee. "Webb threw today and felt a lot better. He's close to throwing a bullpen," Showalter said. Meanwhile, Paul Janish has been fully cleared for baseball activities and will probably get some at-bats at designated hitter on Saturday against the Puerto Rico development team and also in...