Right-hander Kevin Gausman, who turned 24 on Jan. 6, is about to start his fourth season in pro ball. It will be his third year spending at least part of the season in the big leagues. Will it be the first season that he is no longer on the shuttle from Triple-A Norfolk to Baltimore? In 2013, Gausman had three separate major league stints. In 2014, he had six stints in the big leagues, including three that lasted two days or less. Maybe he will start the season in the majors and stay with the...

We've flipped the page on the calendar and the Orioles need to pick up the pace and get closer Zach Britton signed for the 2015 season. A hearing will take place later this month if the sides don't reach agreement. Britton submitted at $4.2 million and the Orioles countered at $2.2 million. He made $521,500 last season. Asked at FanFest if he had any updates, Britton replied, "No. We're still in the negotiation process. We have some time up until the hearing. We're just in the process. Not...

Fans are filing out of the Baltimore Convention Center, marking the end of another FanFest. The attendance exceeded 16,000 despite all the griping about how the Orioles aren't trying to improve following their division title and that they're likely to finish in last place. Maybe folks were just trying to get warm. Orioles catcher Matt Wieters remains optimistic that he'll be ready on opening day. So far so good. However, he won't really know until he starts playing in exhibition...

Orioles center fielder Adam Jones talked to reporters for about six minutes today, enough time to comment on predictions that the club will finish in last place, free agent losses and the Dan Duquette saga. Here's a sampling: On being picked to finish last: "Cool. Weren't we supposed to finish last the last 4-5 years? Keep it that way. I think we like that. It's not bothering me. I know we've had a slow offseason due to (Nick) Markakis' departure, (Nelson) Cruz's departure, (Andrew)...

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...