Hello, Nats fans! I'm thrilled to be with you throughout the upcoming Nationals season. In the words of Mick Jagger or Eminem, depending on your era or musical preference, please allow me to introduce myself. I'm part of what many would call a rare breed. I'm actually a native Washingtonian. I was born and raised in Wheaton, Md. Unfortunately, I grew up like most of you - without a baseball team in D.C. This probably helped my academic career, otherwise I probably would have broken the...

Orioles third baseman Manny Machado provided an update today on his comeback from his second knee surgery. During the club's minicamp in mid-January in Sarasota, Machado said he felt he would be full-go by spring training and he still feels that way. Machado has been taking part in full baseball activities for several weeks now, after surgery on Aug. 27 to repair a partial tear of a ligament in his right knee. He underwent a similar procedure on his left knee in 2013. "Ready to roll,"...

The Orioles announced that today's FanFest event has attracted more than 16,000 fans. The record is 18,000 in 2013. Orioles manager Buck Showalter confirmed today that left-hander Mark Hendrickson will receive an invitation to major league camp. Hendrickson threw at the minicamp earlier this month. Ubaldo Jimenez already is set to report with the pitchers and catchers. He's hoping that a mechanical adjustment in September will bring better results after going 6-9 with a 4.81 ERA and 1.516...

Here are a few quotes from Orioles manager Buck Showalter's media availability with reporters at FanFest: On the Dan Duquette rumors in general terms and losing three key players: "Our payroll is going to go up this year, but we are going to be able to do some things during the season now. We will be able to do some things if needed, whether it be injury or performance. That is why we were able to add Andrew (Miller) and (Alejandro) De Aza last year. And I'm proud of the players we are...

The Baltimore Convention Center is packed today with fans attending the annual FanFest event. Enthusiasm is running high despite the free agent losses and national projections that the team won't return to the playoffs. "They're picking us last again, which is beautiful," said manager Buck Showalter. First baseman Chris Davis confirmed that he received an exemption to take Adderall after being denied in 2013. He's annoyed by the perception that his 53 home runs in 2012 were fueled by...

After he addressed Orioles fans today at FanFest, Orioles vice president Dan Duquette talked further about the Toronto rumors and situation one more time with reporters behind the main stage. "It was important for the fans to know my singular focus has been on improving the Orioles," Duquette said. "Some of the additions that we've made I feel will give us another strong and competitive team. "These trade rumors, lot of times players will be involved in them. Sometimes managers get traded...

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette received a nice ovation today, with many fans rising to their feet as he was introduced at FanFest for the Q&A forum for season ticket holders. Manager Buck Showalter received a prolonged standing ovation, as expected. The reception for Duquette was the real curiosity following reports all winter that he might leave for Toronto. "Sometimes there is substance to them and sometimes there isn't," Duquette said. "There was substance to it, but I...

While Chris Davis met with a large group of reporters here today at FanFest, Orioles pitcher Tommy Hunter, his close friend, talked about the O's first baseman. Davis has one game still to serve on his suspension and he'll miss opening day. Does Davis have some repair work to do in the Orioles clubhouse? "Not with me," Hunter said. "We're good friends. I am sure there are mixed emotions in the clubhouse. I can't speak on everybody's behalf. The guy is a great friend to me and he made a...

The Nationals might have graduated a number of their top prospects to the major leagues in recent years (see: Stephen Strasburg, Bryce Harper, Anthony Rendon), but they still have one of the more talented minor league systems in baseball, according to one analyst. ESPN.com's Keith Law ranks the Nats ninth in his list of the top farm systems, and places six Nats minor leaguers on his list of the top 100 prospects in baseball entering the 2015 season. Because the Nats have seen a number of their...

The Orioles are holding their annual FanFest today at the Baltimore Convention Center, which figures to keep me busy for approximately 12 hours. I tend to arrive early and stay late. Players, former players, executives and coaches will meet with reporters throughout the day behind the main stage, giving us 10-15 minutes to interview each one. We may need more time with Chris Davis, who joins Manny Machado, Tommy Hunter and Chris Tillman in the first wave around 11 a.m. I talked to Machado,...