PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - An ingrown toenail has forced Stephen Strasburg to be scratched from making his second start of the spring today. Highly ranked prospect A.J. Cole, who was scheduled to pitch at some point against the Mets, will now get the ball first. It will be Cole's second appearance of the exhibition season after giving up two runs (one earned) on two hits in 2 1/3 innings against the Cardinals on Saturday. This is actually the second go-around for Cole with the Nationals, who...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The last time that the Orioles were faced with a decision regarding Darren O'Day's contract, the reliever avoided arbitration by agreeing to terms on a two-year deal with an option for 2015. O'Day received $2.2 million in 2013 and $3.2 million in 2014, and the Orioles exercised his $4.25 million option for this season. Here we are again. O'Day is one of 11 pending free agents on the roster and unsure whether the Orioles will negotiate another multi-year deal. So far, there...

Here is one final preseason edition of 10 questions for O's fans. You may be worn out of answering my questions by now, but I always enjoy reading through the responses. As usual, answer one, a few or all 10. Provide a short answer or longer, the choice is yours. Please number the answers to make it easier to follow. On to the questions: 1. Between Jonathan Schoop, Ryan Flaherty and Everth Cabrera, which of the three is most likely to start the year in the minor leagues? 2. Who will win the...

VIERA, Fla. - Right-hander Stephen Strasburg has been scratched from making his second start of the exhibition season on Thursday after undergoing surgery to remove an ingrown toenail "Stras had an ingrown toenail, so we're going to have him throw on the minor league side where we can control innings," Nationals manager Matt Williams said after Wednesday's 9-2 victory over the Detroit Tigers. "He's a little bit sore moving around. He's perfectly fine." Highly ranked pitching prospect...

VIERA, Fla. - Jordan Zimmermann took the hill for his second outing of the Grapefruit League season on Wednesday. The Tigers managed a run on two hits against Zimmermann, who also added four strikeouts in 2 2/3 innings of work. "I was attacking and trying to get ahead with the fastball," said Zimmermann. "The last outing, I wasn't able to do that, but this one, for the most part, it was right where I wanted it to be. I threw a couple good sliders, a 3-2 curveball that was good. I'm getting...

The Orioles today announced that they have optioned right-hander Eddie Gamboa to Triple-A Norfolk. With this move, the Orioles now have 51 players at Major League Spring Training, including 12 non-roster invitees.

"2015 looks great right meow." This quote was the insightful information that Gio Gonzalez offered Dan Kolko during today's Nationals broadcast on MASN HD. Before going on-air, it appeared as if Gonzalez was dared by Max Scherzer to integrate the word "meow" into his interview. And he succeeded. The lefty managed to work "meow" into his interview 11 times, and after it was all said and done, he was pumped. The result is an absolutely hilarious video. Check it out below, and then see...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles optioned knuckleballer Eddie Gamboa to Triple-A Norfolk following today's 5-2 loss to the Blue Jays. Gamboa allowed two runs in the ninth inning today and six runs in three spring innings. With this move, the Orioles now have 51 players in camp, including 12 non-roster invitees. Gamboa threw 18 pitches today, all of them knuckleballs. "He kind of rushed a little bit," said manager Buck Showalter. "It's such a feel thing. It will be better when he gets to where...

ORIOLES QUICK WRAP Score: Blue Jays 5, Orioles 2 Recap: Miguel Gonzalez joined Wei-Yin Chen as the only Orioles starters to go three innings this spring. Gonzalez allowed two runs in the first and retired the last seven batters he faced, striking out one. Wesley Wright retired the first four batters before back-to-back doubles by Josh Thole and Munenori Kawasaki in the fifth increased Toronto's lead to 3-0. Mike Wright retired the side in order in the sixth and Zach Britton did the same in the...

NATIONALS QUICK WRAP Score: Nationals 9, Tigers 2 Recap: Jordan Zimmermann gave up a run on two hits with four strikeouts in 2 2/3 innings. Thirty-three of his 47 pitches were strikes. Highly ranked prospect Wilmer Difo was 2-for-3 with a triple, double and two RBIs. Ryan Zimmerman added two doubles and two RBIs. Drew Vettleson and Matt Skoke hit late home runs.Need to know: Anthony Rendon was a late scratch for today's game with a bruised left knee. Nationals manager Matt Williams said it...