VIERA, Fla. - This morning's workout began with the team singing "Happy Birthday" to center fielder Denard Span. "It was heartfelt man," Span said. "It felt good. Birthdays are birthdays. You start to get a little bit older and birthdays don't mean as much as they used to, but it was a lot of fun getting put in the circle and everybody singing." While in the circle, Span showed off some of his best dance moves as teammates clapped and shouted. "They told me to do the Carlton dance...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Kevin Gausman will start the Orioles' home exhibition opener on March 4 against the Tigers. Ubaldo Jimenez already was confirmed as the March 3 starter against the Tigers in Lakeland, Fla. Gausman is among the six starters competing for five spots in the rotation. He could be moved to the bullpen or optioned to Triple-A Norfolk if he fails to win a job. The popup drill on the Ed Smith Stadium field was received favorably by players who liked the idea of simulating game...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles moved to the Ed Smith Stadium field this morning for popup drills, a day earlier than scheduled. Crowd noise from Game 2 of the American League Division Series, when Delmon Young cleared the bases with a three-run double, was piped into the ballpark. Infielders called off teammates to catch the ball as the noise level was raised. Outfielders chasing balls down the line were subjected to the same treatment. The noise was so loud, the resident of a nearby house filed...

SARASOTA, Fla. - When the Orioles take the field this morning for another spring workout under an overcast sky, infielder Everth Cabrera is expected to work out at his third position since signing his one-year deal. Cabrera took ground balls and made throws at shortstop on Wednesday and slid over to second base yesterday. Manager Buck Showalter said Cabrera probably will move to third base today and eventually will shag fly balls in the outfield. Though he's a candidate to wrestle the second...

VIERA, Fla. - Yunel Escobar wasn't thrilled when he found out he was headed to the Nationals in a trade last month. That's because Nats general manager Mike Rizzo made the move to acquire Escobar not to play shortstop, but rather second base, a position the 32-year-old hasn't seen action at since his rookie season in 2007. "I had a conversation with him through his interpreter over the phone that day, the day the trade was official, and explained our desire to him," Nationals manager Matt...

Nationals outfielder Nate McLouth comes to spring training rehabbing an injury that ended his season prematurely in August. McLouth is recovering from a torn labrum in his right shoulder. The left-handed hitting utility outfielder is critical for a team that needs to ensure it has some offense coming from that side of the plate besides Bryce Harper and Denard Span, especially with the departure of Adam LaRoche. McLouth's value doubles with the uncertainty surrounding Jayson Werth and his own...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles clubhouse is closed to the media this morning because players are meeting with officials from Major League Baseball. Reporters will have access to them after the workout. Another group of pitchers warmed up on the side mounds yesterday and threw inside the covered batting cage. It won't be much longer before they're throwing live batting practice, with hitters taking their cuts. We're getting closer to the exhibition games, which gets us closer to the ones that...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Former Orioles outfielder Nick Markakis said today he regrets comments that appeared in a USA TODAY article and holds no animosity toward the organization. Markakis said he was responding to a specific comment from a reporter, which was passed along following an interview with a member of the Orioles' front office, regarding the team's failure to offer him a fourth guaranteed year during negotiations over the winter. The Braves signed Markakis to a four-year, $44 million...

VIERA, Fla. - Jayson Werth was on the field this morning as the Nationals began their first official full-squad workouts in preparation for the 2015 season. He was limited though, not participating in any throwing or hitting drills, while still recovering from right shoulder surgery early last month. Werth continues to focus on opening day as a return date with the initial rehabilitation period being two to three months after the procedure. "That's kind of my goal," he said today. "Again...

When ESPN's cameras and reporters were in Sarasota, Fla., to visit Orioles spring training earlier this week, they discussed which one player could be the X-factor for the club this year. Analysts Curt Schilling and Buster Olney had the same answer: Kevin Gausman. They feel the 24-year-old right-hander with 25 career big league starts and 161 innings under his belt could take a nice step forward this year - one that could lead to his becoming a top-of-the-rotation starter. "I like Kevin...