When the Orioles announced their minor league staff assignments this week, it became official that some staff members do return to the organization, but at different affiliates from 2014. Not that this is all that unusual on the farm. It happens pretty much every year. As for the managers, Orlando Gomez moves back to Single-A Frederick after two years as Gulf Coast League skipper. He led Frederick to the 2011 Carolina League championship. That is the last title by any O's affiliate. Luis...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter couldn't comment today on the pending one-year deal with shortstop Everth Cabrera because it hadn't been finalized. Cabrera took his physical and the Orioles are waiting on the results. They were thorough, as usual, due to past hamstring and shoulder issues. Also, Cabrera was charged in November with resisting arrest after being stopped for suspicion of driving under the influence of marijuana two months earlier. A trial is set for April, and...

Left-hander Sammy Solis is looking to have a complete season with the Nationals, and hoping to stay healthy after fighting through injuries the past few campaigns. Solis was limited to only five games in 2014 after being shut down in early June due to elbow discomfort. He had 13 starts in 2013. In 2012, he underwent Tommy John surgery. His career-high innings pitched was 96 2/3 in 2011. The 26-year-old was a second-round selection in 2010. Nationals director of player development Mark Scialabba...

The first official spring training workout day for Orioles pitchers and catchers at Ed Smith Stadium will be held on Friday, February 20. Fans are invited to watch the team's workouts on the back fields at the complex each day until March 4, when home games begin. There is no charge to attend, and free parking is available in the East Lot off of 12th Street and Tuttle Avenue. Orioles pitchers and catchers will take the field at approximately 10:00 a.m. on Friday, February 20. The club will...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter confirmed today that catcher Matt Wieters will serve as the designated hitter in the first intrasquad game and "more than likely" the March 3 exhibition opener against the Tigers in Lakeland, Fla. Wieters won't move behind the plate until March 17 as he continues his recovery from ligament-reconstructive surgery on his right elbow. "I told him to break out his gray pants because he will make some road trips, as will Manny (Machado), which they...

With the news of the Orioles' potential signing of free agent Everth Cabrera, two questions come to mind: What role will he play on the team, and are the Orioles taking a risk on a player with baggage? While Cabrera was an All-Star in 2013 and led the National League in stolen bases with 44 in 2012, he served a 50-game suspension at the end of 2013 season for his involvement in the Biogenisis performance-enhancing drug investigation. Beyond that, he was charged in November with resisting...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are close to signing free agent shortstop Everth Cabrera to a one-year deal, according to sources. A few issues need to be resolved before it becomes official. Cabrera has taken his physical, but that's not the only holdup. Cabrera, a career .248/.319/.333 hitter in six seasons with the Padres before they non-tendered him, was charged in November with resisting arrest after being stopped for suspicion of driving under the influence of marijuana two months earlier....

The Nationals have the best rotation in baseball, but considering the way pitching is stacked in the National League East, they might need it to win a second consecutive division title. The Braves usually challenge the Nationals. But this year, the Mets and the Marlins are likely to be the Nationals' biggest headaches. The Braves rotation is strong, but not as deep as last season. The Phillies are trying to start over, and lefty Cole Hamels will be front and center in trade discussions as...

Time to take a look at the part of this Nationals team guaranteed to damage a plethora of hitters' egos and cause a lot of sleepless nights for opposing managers in 2015: the starting rotation. Every night throughout the season, the Nationals' starting pitcher should have his name in lights on a marquee outside the ballpark. This is a blockbuster five-man rotation. It figures to be the main storyline for this team and one that all of Major League Baseball will follow during the season. The...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles should have enough utility infielders after yesterday's signing of veteran Jayson Nix to a Triple-A deal with an invitation to spring training. It's time to say "when." Nix, who can earn $750,000 if he makes the team, is a career .212/.282/.345 hitter in seven major league seasons with eight teams and a .259/.330/.415 hitter in 14 minor league seasons. He's a former first-round pick, which always brings a certain appeal to executive vice president Dan...