VIERA, Fla. - It was quite the scene when new Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer took the practice mound next to Stephen Strasburg at the start of today's first official workout for pitchers and catchers. Fans and media hurried to get a good spot for an early preview of the two fireballers planning to lead the Nats' star-studded rotation. Wilson Ramos crouched down behind the plate for his first opportunity to catch Scherzer, the 2013 AL Cy Young Award winner. However, he only lasted three or...

VIERA, Fla. - Nationals manager Matt Williams led the first day of spring training workouts for pitchers and catchers on Saturday, just a short time after the club announced it had exercised its 2016 option on his contract. That decision means Williams, who skippered the Nats to their second National League East title in three seasons and won NL Manager of the Year honors in his rookie campaign on the bench, will be with the club for at least two more seasons. "I'm excited to be a part of the...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Infielder Paul Janish said the surgery to remove bone chips from his right elbow took place eight days ago and he's hoping to be ready for the second half of camp. "Surgery went well," he said. "It was just a few bone chips. Nothing serious. They were cleaned out pretty efficiently. They didn't have to look around a whole lot, so not very invasive, if you will. Hopefully, it will be a three or four week time frame and I'll be able to play the second half of camp ideally....

We've spent much time this winter discussing and debating the Orioles' losses from last season of Nick Markakis, Nelson Cruz and Andrew Miller. At least according to one writer, the signings of Markakis and Cruz were among the four worst moves by all teams this winter. The Braves signed Markakis to a four-year deal worth $44 million and the Mariners signed Cruz to a four-year deal worth $58 million. Dave Cameron of FanGraphs ranks these as the four worst moves of the offseason: 1 - Padres...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles just concluded their second workout and are heading into the clubhouse. Rule 5 pick Jason Garcia and Triple-A Norfolk right-hander Mike Wright were especially impressive today during their bullpen sessions. Outfielder Alejandro De Aza, who lost his arbitration hearing, is expected to report later today. He wants to get comfortable in a new spring training facility. The Orioles are still hoping to finalize their deal next week with infielder Everth Cabrera. The legal...

VIERA, Fla. - At 10:39 a.m. this morning, a few seconds before the horn signaling the first drill of Nationals spring training sounded, right-hander Max Scherzer uncorked a throw toward catcher Wilson Ramos in the area where the first bullpen sessions were convening. Spring training 2015 was under way. It was cloudy and cool at the Space Coast Stadium complex the Nationals call home. Players made the short hike from the clubhouse to the practice fields a little more briskly than usual, owing to...

VIERA, Fla. - There were times this offseason when Jordan Zimmermann couldn't help but wonder if his career in Washington, D.C., was over. Try as he might to stick to his usual winter routines, there were constant reminders that he was entering his walk year, that his pending free agency might result in the Nationals dealing him if they were unable or unwilling to come to an agreement on a long-term contract extension Zimmermann returned to his native Wisconsin and tried to immerse himself in...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles have 14 pitchers throwing in the bullpen today, six more than yesterday. Dane De La Rosa, Brian Matusz and Wesley Wright are in Group 1, Oliver Drake, Steve Johnson and Chaz Roe are in Group 2, Chris Jones, Tyler Wilson and Mike Wright are in Group 3, Tim Berry, Eddie Gamboa and Rule 5 pick Jason Garcia are in Group 4, and Hunter Harvey and Rule 5 pick Logan Verrett are in Group 5. Ubaldo Jimenez used a more compact delivery during yesterday's session, the same...

The Washington Nationals exercised the 2016 club option on manager Matt Williams' contract on Saturday. President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. "We are happy to pick up Matt's option for the 2016 season," Rizzo said. "It shows the great confidence we have in Matt to continue to lead this team on the field. During his rookie season, he helped us navigate through injuries and led us to our second NL East Division title in three years. His...

VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals announced this morning that they have picked up the team option for 2016 on manager Matt Williams' contract. It was a pretty good first year for Williams, who made his major league managerial debut with the Nats in 2014. The best record in the National League (96-66) and a runaway NL East title helped Wiliams to earn recognition as the NL Manager of the Year. "We are happy to pick up Matt's option for the 2016 season," general manager Mike Rizzo said in a...