VIERA, Fla. - If 12 years in the big leagues have taught Jamey Carroll anything, it's that in the game of baseball, the little things are big. Sometimes it's noticing a pattern of how an opposing pitcher works you as a hitter. Maybe it's spying that an outfielder is favoring his arm a little, and that he might be ripe for trying to take an extra base. Or just anticipating how a game might play out and when he might be needed as a pinch-hitter, pinch-runner or defensive replacement. All of...

LAKELAND, Fla. - Rain continues to pelt the tarp at Joker Marchant Stadium, and fans hadn't been notified that the game was canceled when media members met with Nationals manager Matt Williams outside the visiting clubhouse. The first clue: equipment backs being loaded up to return to Viera. The second clue: when reliever Jerry Blevins started a parade of players dressed in street clothes heading for the parking lot for the (hopefully) 90-minute drive back to Space Coast Stadium. Williams...

SARASOTA, Fla. - It's raining hard here in Sarasota and a cancellation of tonight's game is likely, but here is the Orioles' lineup for the game against the Twins. For the Orioles: Jemile Weeks 2B J.J. Hardy SS Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Nelson Cruz LF Matt Wieters C Delmon Young RF Ryan Flaherty 3B Nolan Reimold DH Steve Johnson RHP Brian Matusz and Kevin Gausman were supposed to pitch in this afternoon's game in Clearwater, but were rained out. Both Matusz and Gausman will pitch...

LAKELAND, Fla. - The competition to be the fifth starter in the Nationals rotation took an unexpected turn today, when manager Matt Williams announced that left-hander Ross Detwiler would start the season in the bullpen. That leaves three right-handers - Tanner Roark, Taylor Jordan and Chris Young - battling for the last spot in the rotation, the manager said. "We've asked Ross to start our season in the bullpen," Williams said after the Nationals' scheduled game against the Tigers was...

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Today's rainout cancellation here at Bright House Field has the Orioles again trying to set their pitching plans for the next couple of days. Brian Matusz and Kevin Gausman were to pitch in this game. It's possible they will pitch tonight in Sarasota if they get that game in, but when reporters talked to manager Buck Showalter earlier it sounded more likely they'll work in minor league games tomorrow at Twin Lakes Park. "I don't like the idea of Brian and Gausman...

CLEARWATER, Fla. - To no one's surprise, today's scheduled game at Bright House Field between the Orioles and Phillies has been rained out. It will not be made up. The Orioles team did bus up here, get set up in their clubhouse and now they will shortly head south back to Sarasota. Nothing to see here, but a few things to report from a session with manager Buck Showalter. The Orioles decision to send right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez to Fort Myers was the right one. They did get that game in...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Chris Tillman will break camp on the Orioles' 25-man roster for the second time in his career. He also will take the mound on opening day for the first time. It just keeps getting better for Tillman. Orioles manager Buck Showalter made the announcement this afternoon, confirming what everyone had anticipated all along. Tillman, 25, will get the call on March 31 against the Red Sox at Camden Yards, his reward for a breakout 2013 season. Tillman started the fifth game last...

LAKELAND, Fla. - Nationals pitching coach Steve McCatty and manager Matt Williams delayed their departure for today's game against the Tigers in order to watch right-hander Doug Fister throw two innings in a minor league game. McCatty liked what he saw, but wasn't ready to slot the right-hander, who is progressing in his recovery from right elbow inflammation, for his first regular season start. "It was fine," McCatty said. "He gave up a hit on a curveball, but he hasn't thrown that...

CLEARWATER, Fla. - It's pouring here at Bright House Field at this hour and it looks unlikely that the Orioles and Phillies will get this game in. There has been no announcements on anything yet, but the tarp has been on the field all morning and the lights have been on. We heard the O's team bus left at 10 a.m. from Sarasota so the players are on their way. The Orioles are scheduled to play two games today with another O's squad hosting the Twins tonight at 7:05 in Sarasota. If somehow...

I was able to check in with assistant general manager/vice president of player development Doug Harris on several Nationals' prospects. I will begin with position players. * Infielder Ricky Hague returned last season after missing most of 2012 with a shoulder injury. He played in 128 games last season and compiled 437 at-bats. "He is going to play a little more third base this year," Harris said. "We will see where that takes us. Looking forward to him bouncing back this season as...