VIERA, Fla. - Stephen Strasburg sure looked regular season-ready during today's 8-1 Nationals win over the Tigers, throwing five scoreless innings, striking out five, working around an error in the first, getting two double play balls and contributing to a runner being cut down on the bases. Solid day overall. Anything really left to accomplish at this point for the Nats' ace before he gets the ball on opening day? "Definitely just building arm strength and staying where I'm at,"...

There are 10 days left until regular season baseball and just eight days until the Nationals take on the Tigers at Nats Park! Baseball in D.C. is so close I can taste it. Before the season can officially start, the Nats still have to whittle down their roster and figure out their starting rotation. In surprising news, Matt Williams announced that Ross Detwiler will start his season in the bullpen. Ross Ohlendorf was among the Nats' cuts this week, so it looks like the final spot in the...

NATIONALS QUICK WRAP Score: Nationals 8, Tigers 1 Recap: Stephen Strasburg threw five scoreless innings and looked very sharp in the process. Ian Desmond smoked his third homer of spring, and Ryan Zimmerman added an RBI triple. The Nats added three more runs in the ninth after Anthony Rendon singled and Jose Lobaton doubled. Need to know: Strasburg struck out five, and now has allowed just one earned run in 14 spring innings. The Nats' opening day starter looks like he's ready for games...

VIERA, Fla. - The replay of Reds pitcher Aroldis Chapman getting hit in the face with a line drive was shown on the Nationals' clubhouse TVs several times Thursday. Each time, players reacted in stunned silence. Some looked away. Others closed their eyes. But each realized the accident could happen in any game. Chapman, the Reds' closer, was hit in the face with a drive by Kansas City's Salvador Perez in the Cactus League on Wednesday night. Chapman was carried off on a stretcher. The game...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Adam Jones is making another road trip tonight, a short drive to Bradenton to face the Pirates. Jones played in Dunedin Sunday after returning from Baltimore following the birth of his son. Alexi Casilla, in more need of at-bats, is batting leadoff and playing shortstop. For the Orioles Alexi Casilla SS Nolan Reimold DH Adam Jones CF Nelson Cruz RF Steve Pearce 1B Delmon Young LF Jonathan Schoop 2B Caleb Joseph C Michael Almanzar 3B Bud Norris RHP Steve Johnson, Alfredo...

VIERA, Fla. - For the second straight day, we're getting a Nationals lineup chock full of regulars. The only change in terms of players from last night is that Danny Espinosa is starting at second base and hitting eighth, instead of Anthony Rendon. Ryan Zimmerman and Jayson Werth flip spots today, with Zimmerman fourth in the lineup and Werth third. Other than that, the lineup stays as-is. Another thing we're getting today is a great starting pitching matchup: Stephen Strasburg vs. Max...

Yesterday, the Orioles wore black and green cartoon bird caps during their 1:05 p.m. game vs. the Rays. The caps were originally to be worn in honor of St. Patrick's Day on Monday before their split-squad games vs. the Phillies and the Twins were each rained out. Beginning today at noon, the game-worn and autographed caps will be auctioned online at www.orioles.com/auction, to benefit the animal hospitals at Mote Marine Laboratory. The Sarasota-based hospitals treat sick and injured dolphins,...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette continues to keep close watch on the waiver wire, and he's on the verge of signing a reliever discarded yesterday by the Nationals. The Orioles are nearing an agreement with veteran right-hander Luis Ayala, according to sources. An announcement could come later today, after final details are worked out. I'm just confirming multiple reports here. Was worth a check. FOXSports.com first reported that the Orioles made an offer to...

MASN Nats - #masnFirstPitch Contest Rules - 3.18.14.pdf

VIERA, Fla. - Despite putting together a strong spring, infielder Zach Walters was sent to minor league camp this morning. The move is not official yet, but once it is formally announced, Walters will be optioned to Triple-A Syracuse. Walters hit .379 (11-for-29) in 15 Grapefruit League games this spring, with one homer, a triple, two doubles and five RBIs. He drew four walks and struck out eight times. It was an impressive offensive showing from the 24-year-old, but with a handful of...