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...

We all know that Chris Davis' 2013 campaign was one for the record books, and by now, I'm sure I don't need to reference the statistics to prove it. But with last season's incredible performance, many fans are speculating whether Crush can repeat that crushing. This week, I'm throwin' it back to Davis' t-shirt night at the Yard last May. As if thousands of fans supporting you with their new orange Crush Davis shirts wasn't enough, Davis owned the night with four hits and two home runs...

The fifth starter competition has really heated up after Matt Williams announced earlier this week that Ross Detwiler will start the 2014 season in the bullpen. Now, Taylor Jordan, Tanner Roark and Chris Young have 11 days to prove why they belong in the Nationals rotation. Last season, we had an opportunity to get a look at Jordan on the big stage, and he finished with a 3.66 ERA in nine appearances with the Nats. Do you see Jordan breaking out of camp as the Nationals' fifth starter? As...

VIERA, Fla. - If you happened to watch last night's Nationals-Astros game, you might have noticed a stunningly good-looking, well-put-together man handling the sideline reporting. Not that I'm trying to put any words in your mouth or anything. Yes, I've been asked by MASN to pick up the sideline reporting duties for Nats games, and I've happily accepted. This is a tremendous opportunity and I'm really excited about getting to work closer with our great production team. I will continue...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are playing under the lights at McKechnie Field tonight, which is basically like playing in candlelight, except without the dripping wax and the romance. And honestly, you can't have romance without dripping wax. OK, I've said too much. Manager Buck Showalter would prefer playing day games against the Pirates in Bradenton, but we always end up with at least one nighttime affair. Perhaps his fielders could wear miners helmets with the lights on the front. Glow...