VIERA, Fla. - Denard Span, Bryce Harper, Ryan Zimmerman and Adam LaRoche were among the Nationals' starters last night when they hosted the Astros. All four of those guys are out of manager Matt Williams' lineup today. We'll get a new host of starting position players in this afternoon's lineup against the Yankees - Anthony Rendon, Jayson Werth, Ian Desmond and Wilson Ramos. Rendon will slide over and play third base this afternoon, and Danny Espinosa will start at second. Nate McLouth...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Ask any manager about starting pitching, and he'll reply that you never have enough of it. The Orioles are in that mode despite appearing to have an ample supply, and Miguel Gonzalez has unintentionally provided a shining example. Gonzalez was slowed early in camp by back spasms, which occurred while he covered first base in a fielding drill. And he needed X-rays on his left shin Friday after being nailed by a comebacker just three batters into his outing. Gonzalez is...

VIERA, Fla. - Last night was an exciting one for me, and it had nothing to do with the Nationals. As a University of Delaware alum, I'm thrilled that my school will be making an appearance in the NCAA tournament for the first time in 15 years. My Fightin' Blue Hens (yes, that's our mascot) won their conference tournament last night, and so my favorite sporting event of the year will feature my favorite school. I know none of you care. Just let me have my moment. The Yankees make the...

VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals dropped tonight's game to the Astros 7-4, with Gio Gonzalez allowing two runs over two innings, Rafael Soriano surrendering five runs and Steven Souza Jr. homering for the Nats. Here are manager Matt Williams' thoughts on tonight's ballgame: On what went wrong for Gonzalez after striking out the first five hitters he faced tonight: "Nothing. He was just pounding the zone. I thought he threw really well. Fastballs in to the right-handers. He just left one out...

For the Orioles, the 'pen needs to be good again. The O's bullpen was decent in 2013, but it was outstanding in 2012. During that 93-win season, Jim Johnson recorded 51 saves and went 20-for-21 in save chances against the AL East with an ERA of 0.80. The bullpen's strong performance was a big factor in a remarkable 29-9 record in one-run games that helped propel the Orioles back to the playoffs. He hasn't been officially given the job yet, but Tommy Hunter is expected to begin the season...

NATIONALS QUICK WRAP Score: Astros 7, Nationals 4 Recap: Rafael Soriano allowed five runs in just 2/3 of an inning of work, as the Astros broke the game open in the sixth. Need to know: Gio Gonzalez allowed two runs over two up-and-down innings, Blake Treinen threw three scoreless and Tyler Clippard allowed two hits in his inning of work, but also struck out the side. On deck: Tuesday, home vs. Yankees, 1:05 p.m., on MASN VIERA, Fla. - Gio Gonzalez's second outing of spring couldn't...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles take the field to stretch at 9:30 a.m. today and the clubhouse is closed to the media until players return to it two hours later. No morning access due to a meeting. Miguel Gonzalez will make his first start since taking a comebacker off his left shin, spinning and landing behind the mound. The Red Sox are starting right-hander Allen Webster. The Orioles have scored 36 runs in their last four games over three days. Is that a lot? Outfielder Quintin Berry is...

VIERA, Fla. - Manager Matt Williams said this afternoon that right-hander Doug Fister, who has been sidelined since his first spring training appearance last Sunday with inflammation in his right elbow, is progressing and will throw off flat ground tomorrow. The Nationals have been taking a cautious approach with Fister, treating the elbow issue with anti-inflammatories and ice, and Williams said that enough of the inflammation has cleared that Fister can get back to playing catch...

BRADENTON, Fla. - How many closers can float a knuckleball while recording a save? Eddie Gamboa registered one today in the Orioles' 7-6 victory over the Pirates at McKechnie Field. He picked off Chase d'Arnaud after a leadoff single and struck out former Oriole Robert Andino. Gamboa hasn't allowed a run in 4 2/3 innings over five appearances this spring. He's walked one and struck out six. Is manager Buck Showalter intrigued by the idea of a knuckleballing closer? "No," Showalter...

VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals have posted their pitching schedule through Wednesday's split-squad games, both of which are on the road. Tanner Roark will get the start for the Nats in their game in Kissimmee against the Astros. He'll be followed by righties Craig Stammen and Tyler Clippard, and left-handers Xavier Cedeno and Jerry Blevins. In the other half of the Wednesday split-squad (played in Lake Buena Vista against the Braves), Chris Young will get the start, with Danny Rosenbaum, Clay...