TAMPA, Fla. - Doug Fister takes the ball today for his first tune-up of the exhibition season. Manager Matt Williams continues his plan of all starters throwing two innings or around 45 pitches. So far, Stephen Strasburg is the only member of the Nationals rotation to even reach 40 pitches. "At this time, we're making sure that they're getting through their games and they're healthy first and foremost, and when the season starts, then we'll turn them loose and let them go out there and do...

TAMPA, Fla. - Kevin Frandsen is starting at his third different positionin as many games, playing third base this afternoon for the Nationals. Frandsen played second base in the exhibition opener and left field on Friday against the Braves. Nothing new for the versatile Frandsen, who appeared in 105 games for the Nationals last year at four different positions while hitting .259 with one home run and 17 RBIs. Frandsen started 12 games at third base last season and has played 124 games at the...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Delmon Young is starting in right field today and Ryan Lavarnway is behind the plate for the Orioles' game against the Twins in Fort Myers. The bench includes Henry Urrutia, Rey Navarro, Michael Almanzar, Dariel Alvarez, J.P. Arencibia, Jayson Nix, Matt Tuiasosopo, Christian Walker and Brian Ward. The bullpen includes Tommy Hunter, Mark Hendrickson, T.J. McFarland, Brad Brach, Eddie Gamboa, Mychal Givens, Zach Davies and Daniel Rodriguez. For the Orioles David Lough...

VIERA, Fla. - The parade of stellar Nationals arms sent to the mound continues today when Doug Fister takes the hill against the New York Yankees. It promises to be the start of an interesting ride for Fister in 2015. The 31-year-old finds himself uncertain of his future as his contract with the Nats expires at the end of the season. "I don't think there's any pressure," Fister said. "Pressure is what you put on yourself. I want to enjoy the moment as it is. I've prepared myself this...

SARASOTA, Fla. - In keeping with a spring training tradition, I woke up this morning and had to search for my rental car and the hour of sleep that I lost. My keys only enable me to find one of them. The Orioles are on the road again today, making the bus ride to Fort Myers for a 1:05 p.m. game against the Twins at newly renovated Hammond Stadium. I'm not sure what they did with the money, but I'll soon find out. Upgrading the media dining room would be one heck of a start. I'd be willing to...

VIERA, Fla. - Most of the focus of spring training has surrounded the Nationals rotation, especially since the addition of Max Scherzer in January. Scherzer and Jordan Zimmermann started the Nats' first two exhibition games. On Saturday, it was Stephen Strasburg's turn. The tall righty looked strong early, as he needed just 12 pitches to retire the Cardinals in the first. But Strasburg struggled in the second surrendering two runs on three hits, two walks and two strikeouts before manager...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles catcher Caleb Joseph was scheduled to start Sunday's game against the Twins in Fort Myers. However, he's been scratched from the lineup while waiting for his son to be born. It would have been Joseph's first road game this spring. "Everything's going well," said manager Buck Showalter, "but it could be a long process." Ryan Lavarnway is expected to catch starter Ubaldo Jimenez, who lasted only 1 1/3 innings against the Tigers on Tuesday and allowed six runs...

An anniversary passed without too much notice on Friday, but it certainly should be noted. It was 10 years ago that day - March 6, 2005 - that legendary Orioles and Baltimore Colts broadcaster Chuck Thompson died at age 83. Thompson was a Hall of Fame broadcaster and for many of us, the voice of sports in Baltimore in our youth. He received the Ford C. Frick Award from the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in 1993. While he worked with a few broadcast partners over the years, many O's...

NATIONALS QUICK WRAP Score: Nationals 6, Cardinals 5 Recap: Stephen Strasburg allowed two runs on three hits with two walks and two strikeouts in 1 2/3 innings. Strasburg's difficulties began in the second when he walked Randall Grichuk to start the inning. The Cardinals followed with three straight singles taking a 2-0 lead. Grichuk homered off A.J. Cole in the third extending the Cardinals lead to 3-1. The Nationals rallied in the sixth, taking the lead for good on two-run singles from...

ORIOLES QUICK WRAP Score: Red Sox 7, Orioles 6 Recap: Bud Norris lasted only one inning, allowing four runs and four hits, walking one, striking out two and throwing a wild pitch. He threw 30 pitches, 15 for strikes. Former Oriole Jemile Weeks had an RBI triple and Blake Swihart hit a three-run homer. The Orioles scored an unearned run in the first on Chris Davis' two-out single after Alejandro De Aza reached on an error. Adam Jones had an RBI grounder and Davis added a sacrifice fly in the...