VIERA, Fla. - Gio Gonzalez has completed two scoreless innings of work against a Mets split squad in his spring debut, allowing one hit and striking out one. It was an easy two frames for Gonzalez, who surrendered a Kirk Nieuwenhuis single through the hole on the left side with one out in the first, only to then get Andrew Brown to tap out to catcher Jhonatan Solano and Brandon Allen to fly out to center. In the second, Gonzalez got Wilmer Flores to fly out to right, then struck out Eric...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Johan Santana threw off flat ground today, lifted weights and walked over to his new locker with an ice pack on his left shoulder. He was introduced to each reporter who stood in front of him, then was challenged to go backward and recite the names. "It's going to take time," he said, smiling. Santana won't be rushed learning names or pitching in games. The Orioles signed the two-time Cy Young Award winner to a minor league deal yesterday and hope to get him back into...

VIERA, Fla. - I've got all kinds of notes for you this morning on the Nationals' middle infield options. Prepare yourselves accordingly. Danny Espinosa has started spring by going 0-for-10 with an RBI and a hit by pitch, numbers which don't exactly demonstrate that the middle infielder is clicking offensively. It's important to note that this is still a very small sample size, however, and that spring training statistics can be misleading for any number of reasons. The way Matt...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Left-hander Johan Santana walked through the clubhouse this morning. He's got a locker set up and will talk to reporters following the workout. Approximate time is 12:30 p.m. Infielder Alexi Casilla will test his hamstring by hitting outdoors today. He's making slow progress. First baseman Chris Marrero, who's been sidelined with an oblique injury for most of camp, will take some dry swings today. He attempted to throw recently and still experienced discomfort on his...

VIERA, Fla. - Zach Walters has played just 11 games at second base in his professional career. He'll play second today as the Nationals host the Mets for the first time this spring. Gio Gonzalez will make his spring debut today, and the Nats lineup features many regulars. Anthony Rendon and Danny Espinosa are both out of the starting lineup, however, and Walters is getting a rare start there. I asked manager Matt Williams about the decision to play Walters at second today, and I'll have...

VIERA, Fla. - Even prior to yesterday, the Nationals had a great deal of competition for the final couple of spots in their bullpen. The signing of left-handed reliever Michael Gonzalez to a minor league deal only adds to that competition. With Rafael Soriano, Tyler Clippard, Drew Storen, Jerry Blevins and Craig Stammen having a lock on five of the Nats' relief jobs (as long as they stay healthy in spring), that seemingly leaves two slots available in the opening day bullpen. And going...

TAMPA - Brock Huntzinger struck out the side in the bottom of the ninth, giving the Orioles' bullpen seven scoreless innings in a 3-2 victory over the Yankees. David Lough and Ryan Flaherty each had two hits for the Orioles. Afterward, manager Buck Showalter commented on the pitchers used in tonight's game, starting with left-hander Wei-Yin Chen. "He was OK," Showalter said. "He wasn't as crisp. I thought he was pretty crisp last time out. He'll get better. That's why they call it...

ORIOLES QUICK WRAP Score: Orioles 3, Yankees 2 Recap: Wei-Yin Chen allowed two runs and five hits in the second inning, including a solo homer by Francisco Cervelli, but four of the hits were soft singles. The Orioles took the lead in the bottom of the seventh on RBIs by Quintin Berry and Julio Borbon. Need to know: David Lough is a candidate to lead off, and he collected a single and triple in his first two at-bats while starting off an inning. He scored the Orioles' first run and is now...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles like the nightlife. I'm not sure whether they boogie. It's back-to-back night games on the road. What could be better? Chris Tillman gets the start against the Twins in Fort Myers, and he could be pushed to three innings after working two in his debut Friday against the Rays. Zach Britton and Steve Johnson also will pitch. The clubhouse opens to the media at 9:45 a.m. Johan Santana will be made available to reporters before or after his workout. Eddie Gamboa...

If I had a nickel for every time a fan brought up Jonathan Schoop over the last few days, I'd at least have a nice collection of nickels and would be well on my way to a purchase of a cup of coffee. But coins aside, the kid has some of you fans quite excited. Nothing wrong with that. Hey, if you can't get excited during spring training, when can you? So can Schoop win the second base job? According to Buck Showalter, he's every bit the contender for that spot that Jemile Weeks and Ryan...