With the list of available catchers dwindling, the Orioles have claimed former Red Sox prospect Ryan Lavarnway off waivers from the Cubs and released outfielder Quintin Berry. The 40-man roster, which remains full, includes catchers Matt Wieters, Caleb Joseph, Steve Clevenger and Michael Ohlman. Lavarnway, 27, also can play first base and serve as a designated hitter. "Lavarnway has good athletic ability and has been a consistent hitter in the minors," executive vice president Dan Duquette...

The Orioles today announced that they have claimed catcher Ryan Lavarnway off of waivers from the Cubs. To make room for him on the 40-man roster, outfielder Quintin Berry has been released. Lavarnway, 27, batted .283/.389/.370 in 62 games for Triple-A Pawtucket in 2014. In 301 major league plate appearances since 2011, Lavarnway has batted .201/.249/.315 with five home runs. He was claimed off waivers by the Cubs on December 19 after originally being selected in the 6th round of the 2008...

There's been some spirited debate in NatsTown over the past couple of days sparked by the announcement that the Nationals had signed Heath Bell to a minor league contract with an invitation to big league spring training. People are wondering why the Nats would need to invest time, money and innings on a guy on the downside of his career, a pitcher obviously past his prime. Or, in the case of yesterday's news that third baseman Ian Stewart had signed a minor league deal, an infielder who has...

As we approach the Christmas holiday, the Orioles still have lots of work to do on their roster unless they're committed to starting Alejandro De Aza or David Lough in left field and Steve Pearce in right. Executive vice president Dan Duquette wanted two more outfielders - one who batted from the left side and one who batted from the right. He wanted another catcher to improve the depth, though he's got four on the 40-man roster. And if the season started today, manager Buck Showalter...

If now-departed outfielder Steven Souza Jr. was the most popular name brought up by other teams at the Winter Meetings in San Diego earlier this month, right-handed pitching prospect A.J. Cole might have been a close second. One scout told me in the lobby of the Manchester Grand Hyatt that his team had been trying to pry Cole away from the Nationals since general manager Mike Rizzo reacquired him from the A's in a three-team trade in January 2013. "No dice," the scout told me. "They ain't...

Well, it wouldn't be spring training without at least one reclamation project, right? Former Padres All-Star closer Heath Bell announced in a self-penned post on The Players' Tribune this afternoon that he had signed a minor league deal with the Nationals. The contract includes an invitation to major league spring training, so Bell will be suiting up in Viera, Fla., when pitchers and catchers report on Feb. 19. Bell, 37, is the classic low-risk, high-reward guy at this stage of his career,...

Happy Holidays from the MASNsports.com staff! Our gifts to you this holiday week is four "Nationals Classics" games, including two from this past season. If you're spending time with your family and want to bond with America's Pastime, tune in to MASN HD. Here's what's on deck this week: Wednesday, Dec. 24, 1:30 p.m.: Who doesn't love it when the Nationals beat the Braves? On Sept. 17, 2013, the Nats actually split a doubleheader with the Braves. Emotions were running high at...

Happy Holidays from the MASNsports.com staff! As the new year approaches, we wanted to give you another opportunity to watch four of the greatest Orioles games from this past season, including all three games from the American League Division Series. So sit back, relax, enjoy friends and family and watch some baseball! Here's what's on deck this week: Thursday, Dec. 25, 9 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 6 p.m.: Our Christmas present for you is an opportunity to watch the Orioles' playoff sweep of...

As the holiday season arrives, baseball transactions usually slow down. We know you are busy with preparations, so here's the one word that comes to mind when talking about National League teams: * Arizona: Revival. There's an Oakland connection that brings back memories of the A's World Series teams from 1988-90. The team president is former A's manager Tony La Russa. The general manager is former A's pitcher Dave Stewart and pitching consultant Dave Duncan was La Russa's pitching coach...

As the holidays approach, here's the one word that defines each American League team: * Baltimore: Favorite. If the season started today, the Orioles would be the pick to win the AL East, even without lefty Andrew Miller, designated hitter Nelson Cruz and outfielder Nick Markakis. At this point, Steve Pearce would play right field and Alejandro De Aza would be in left. How are the Orioles going to find anything better? Chances are they won't, but they will look, just in case. If Chris Davis,...