SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles sent Brian Matusz, Wei-Yin Chen, Miguel Gonzalez, Kevin Gausman, Steve Johnson, Eddie Gamboa, Oliver Drake and Dane De La Rosa to the minor league complex at Twin Lakes Park today to throw live batting practice. Manager Buck Showalter said the six catchers in camp each will be behind the plate for two innings in Sunday's 1 p.m. instrasquad game on the Ed Smith Stadium field. I wrote earlier today that Chris Davis worked out in right field. In addition, Jonathan...

VIERA, Fla. - Heavy rain overnight and more this morning forced the Nationals off the practice fields today. Nationals manager Matt Williams indicated that Saturday was already expected to be a light day with no bullpen throwing sessions scheduled. "It's a little sloppy out there," Williams said. "Pitchers threw and we hit in the cage. We didn't cancel. But to get out there on the fields and run around - it's unseasonably cool and rainy, so adjustments have to be made sometimes. We got...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Chris Davis worked out in right field today, taking ground balls on Field 3 while his teammates stretched, then moving to the Camden Yards replica field with the other outfielders. Davis shagged fly balls, took more ground balls and made throws during various drills. He's also expected to get some work at third base later in camp. Though he's expected to start at first base, Davis gives the Orioles another option in right. A group of pitchers headed over to the minor league...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are wearing orange LUNGevity t-shirts at today's workout to honor former public relations director Monica Pence Barlow, who passed away exactly one year ago after battling Stage 4 lung cancer for 4 1/2 years. The shirts have "In Memory Of Monica" written in white letters. "You don't realize how much you really miss her until you get an interview request, you get things that Monica would have come to you for in spring training, and that can be a little hard...

VIERA, Fla. - Fans of all ages jostle for position outside the Space Coast Stadium practice facility, hoping to get some of their favorite Nationals players to sign a baseball or take a selfie after team workouts. Most shout for Bryce Harper, Ryan Zimmerman or Max Scherzer to stop for a second, but on Thursday afternoon it wasn't one of the Nats stars who became one kid's most valuable player. "Mr. Moore, can I have your autograph," said the youngster. With that the Nationals part-time...

VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals have agreed to terms with left-handed pitcher Rich Hill on a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. The Angels released Hill last summer after he failed to get an out in two relief appearances. The Yankees signed him to a minor league deal in July. He bounced back and forth from Triple-A to the majors, posting a 1.69 ERA over 14 appearances with New York. The 34-year-old Hill spent the early part of his career as a starter with the Cubs and...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The date has been marked on manager Buck Showalter's calendar for a long time, an anniversary that he wishes did not exist, a day that he knows will bring back memories both warm and heartbreaking. Tears can moisten the eyes and cheeks no matter which thoughts rise to the surface. On the morning of Feb. 28, 2014, Orioles public relations director Monica Pence Barlow passed away after a courageous and inspiring 4-1/2 year battle with Stage 4 lung cancer. I received the...

A group of 38 Orioles minor league players began workouts at Twin Lakes park in Sarasota, Fla., on Wednesday. This early minor league camp allows these players to get in some extra work before the full minor league camp begins March 6. It also gets these players ready in case they are needed in early Orioles spring training games. But O's director of player development Brian Graham said it also provides the 20 pitchers at the camp a chance to build up more innings that might allow them to...

VIERA, Fla. - Nationals manager Matt Williams said all of his pitchers are healthy and pitching well even after heavy bullpen sessions the past couple of days. The staff will get a day off tomorrow before throwing live batting practice beginning Sunday. "We'll do that for a couple of days and get them some hitters to look at," Williams said. "Everybody's on track. Everybody feels good about it. I think we're where we need to be at this point." It's unknown who will be on the mound in...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles have announced their starters for Sunday's intrasquad game at Ed Smith Stadium. The game begins at 1 p.m. and is closed to the public. Zach Britton, Ryan Webb, Mark Hendrickson, Tim Berry, Tyler Wilson and Chaz Roe are pitching for the home team. T.J. McFarland, Wesley Wright, Mike Wright, Jason Garcia, Logan Verrett and Hunter Harvey are pitching for the away team. The Athletics claimed outfielder Alex Hassan off waivers from the Orioles. He was taken off the...