They are both young, big, and strong, and the Orioles believe they have bright futures in their organization. On Jan. 30 the Orioles announced the additions of two international players in 16-year-old third baseman Jomar Reyes (who turned 17 Feb. 20) and 17-year-old first baseman Carlos Diaz. When I was at spring training in Sarasota, Fla., I had the chance to meet and interview both players with the interpreter help of Felipe Alou Jr., who is in his seventh year as the Orioles' coordinator...

SARASOTA, Fla. - As he waits for the Orioles to officially place him on the 15-day disabled list, outfielder Nolan Reimold wants to stress again that he hasn't suffered a new injury to his neck. He hasn't experienced any setbacks. His recovery from corrective surgery in July to fuse two vertebrae in his neck has enabled him to swing the bat without discomfort. The issue is playing the outfield and looking up while running after fly balls. "I don't have a problem swinging," said Reimold,...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles may not make any cuts tonight, with the majority coming on Saturday. They're supposed to play Triple-A Norfolk in an exhibition game at Harbor Park. However, the forecast is calling for a 100 percent change of rain. Doesn't look promising. Thirty-six players remain in camp and the Orioles need to get down to 25 by 3 p.m. Sunday. The Orioles continue to check the waiver wire. They considered a claim yesterday - I don't know which player - and decided against...

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - The Nationals are currently on their way to the airport, ready to ship on back to D.C. ahead of Saturday's exhibition game against the Tigers. They wait for word on Doug Fister, who will see the team doctor tomorrow after being diagnosed with a right lat strain, which caused him to leave his minor league start today after just one inning. The Nats closed out their Grapefruit League slate here today with a 4-0 win over the Mets. Jordan Zimmermann went five scoreless...

As a free agent following the 1991 season, pitcher Rick Sutcliffe had no intention of playing in the American League in 1992. He figured he'd sign with St. Louis so he could be close to home and stay in the more familiar National League. Johnny Oates, the Orioles' manager at the time, had other ideas. He brought Sutcliffe to Camden Yards on a cold December day and sold him on becoming an Oriole. "He told me I was going to make Orioles history by throwing the first pitch in Camden Yards,"...

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - The Nationals were hoping that Doug Fister would make it through a minor league start today, possibly pitch in one more minor league game five days from now, and then be good to slide into their regular season rotation. That plan will have to be adjusted, and Fister's status for the start of the regular season is now in question. Fister cut short his start today after just one inning due to a right lat strain, according to manager Matt Williams. Fister, working back...

The Nationals provided a "What's new at Nationals Park" media tour Thursday to show off improvements, additions and changes at the ballpark for this season. The tour included technological advancements, expanded and improved concession offerings, new concession concepts, concession stand expansions, new menu items and more. Further ballpark element changes include the new Norfolk Southern Club, which replaces the Stars & Stripes Club in sections 206 through 221, the Gold Glove Club, the...

SARASOTA, Fla. - A light rain continues to fall at the Ed Smith Stadium complex, and it's a familiar sight for the Orioles, who have lost four games due to inclement weather. What's one more? We're up to four rainouts and four ties, for those of you keeping score at home. The Orioles are hoping to keep score on the main field and give Ubaldo Jimenez a final start before he takes the mound on April 2 at Camden Yards. Ryan Flaherty is starting at third base and Steve Lombardozzi is at...

NATIONALS QUICK WRAP Score: Nationals 4, Mets 0 Summary: Jordan Zimmermann went five scoreless innings, and Rafael Soriano, Tyler Clippard, Drew Storen and Jerry Blevins combined to go four scoreless with three hits allowed and seven strikeouts. Danny Espinosa went 2-for-3 with a double and a walk, Denard Span had three hits and has a .370 average this spring, and Bryce Harper had two hits, including a single off the left field wall and an RBI knock on a liner up the middle. Need to know:...

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - The last five days have been a bit of a roller coaster for Kevin Frandsen. The 31-year-old infielder, who had spent the last three years with the Phillies organization, was stunned to find out on Sunday that the Phillies were outrighting him to Triple-A. Frandsen had 72 hours to decide whether to accept the assignment to the minors or opt for free agency, and he did the latter, forfeiting a guaranteed $900,000 salary for this season in the process. After a brief time of...