Josh Hart finishes his assignment on Frank Robinson
Josh Hart finishes his assignment on Frank Robinson
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - When the Orioles instructed 19-year-old outfielder Josh Hart to head over to the Ed Smith Stadium complex yesterday, he expected to receive some valuable baseball lessons. He had no idea, however, that it would include a history lesson. You probably know the story by now, since it's starting to gain national attention. Orioles manager Buck Showalter saw Hart walking down a hallway and challenged the kid to identify the man standing beside him. Hart had no idea that Showalter...
Bird Talk: Wieters weighs in on rule change, fantasy tips, and more
Bird Talk: Wieters weighs in on rule change, fantasy tips, and more
Josh Land
Orioles
The Orioles silenced their critics this past week by signing not one or two free agents, but three. A quiet offseason suddenly became very busy in the last 10 days with the additions of Ubaldo Jimenez, Suk-min Yoon and Nelson Cruz. But that's not the only thing that happened in baseball. Read more for what those in the national media are saying about the Orioles. * The new catcher collision rule will go into effect this season. Many have dubbed the rule "The Buster Posey Rule" after...
Nationals Chatter: Praise for Fister and Williams, spring training facility update and more
Nationals Chatter: Praise for Fister and Williams, spring training facility update and more
Josh Land
Nationals
Spring is (almost) in the air. That tease of warm weather we had last week was cruel and unusual punishment, Mother Nature. It got me in the mood to go to a baseball game, but instead we're dealing with frigid temperatures. How many more days until opening day? With the Nationals officially in the second week of spring training, several national outlets made a trip to Viera. Read all the latest stories on the Nats below. * USA TODAY's Paul White stopped by Nationals camp a few days ago and...
Hearing from Hardy and Showalter after today's workout (with photo gallery)
Hearing from Hardy and Showalter after today's workout (with photo gallery)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - A few minutes before today's Nelson Cruz press conference, eight of his new teammates walked into the interview room and formed a line before the video cameras. Tommy Hunter found an empty chair and took a seat. Hunter was joined by Adam Jones, Manny Machado, J.J. Hardy, Chris Davis, Matt Wieters, Nick Markakis, Darren O'Day and hitting coach Jim Presley. "Just kind of giving him a little bit of support," Hardy said. "We all know him from playing against him or playing...
The countdown to opening day begins with the Washington Nationals "March to Baseball" campaign
The countdown to opening day begins with the Washington Nationals "March to Baseball" campaign
Josh Land
Nationals
New and renewing Season Plan Holders are automatically entered into 30 days of drawings for 30 once-in-a-lifetime prizes and experiences throughout the month of March. Fans can sign up for new Season Plans now at www.nationals.com/MarchToBaseball With Opening Day in the nation's capital just around the corner, the Washington Nationals are proud to unveil the March to Baseball campaign, an exciting promotion that gives the team's most loyal fans the opportunity to win daily prizes while...
Giolito talks Tommy John rehab, outside expectations and improvements he's made (with J. Johnson, Jordan notes)
Giolito talks Tommy John rehab, outside expectations and improvements he's made (with J. Johnson, Jordan notes)
Dan Kolko
Nationals
VIERA, Fla. - It's now been nearly 18 months since Lucas Giolito underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, but the Nationals' 19-year-old right-hander and top prospect says he's completely healthy, feels strong and is ready to attack his first full season as a professional ballplayer. Giolito met with reporters today outside the Nationals minor league facility, towering over us with his 6-foot-6, 255 lb. frame. The Nats' first-round pick in the 2012 First-Year Player Draft, who...
Casilla leaves workout with hamstring injury (plus video gallery)
Casilla leaves workout with hamstring injury (plus video gallery)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - Infielder Alexi Casilla left today's workout with tightness in his right hamstring. He walked off the field with head athletic trainer Richie Bancells. Casilla estimated that he could miss two or three days of workouts, which would include intrasquad games on Wednesday and Thursday. "I just felt my hamstring a little bit," he said. "We were taking grounders and there was a ground ball up the middle, and that's when I felt it. I could have kept going, but we're...
Nationals' minor league games are scheduled close to local fans
Nationals' minor league games are scheduled close to local fans
Byron Kerr
Nationals
I was putting together a schedule for Nationals minor league games that will be located within driving distance of Nationals Park for the 2014 season. Here are the list of reachable games and the names of each stadium. I also put in the distances for Syracuse, Harrisburg and Auburn home games if you are considering a summer road trip to see some of the future Nats play. Syracuse Chiefs (Triple-A) NBT Bank Stadium Distance from Nationals Park: 376 miles (5 hours 57 minutes) Click here for the...
Orioles to hold season ticket Tag Day on Saturday, March 8
Orioles to hold season ticket Tag Day on Saturday, March 8
Josh Land
Orioles
With the start of the season fast approaching, the Orioles will host the return of Tag Day on Saturday, March 8, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Tag Day gives fans interested in purchasing either a full or partial Season Plan for the 2014 season the opportunity to "try out" their seats before they buy. Available seats will be tagged with pennants, and Orioles sales representatives will be stationed in each section to discuss season plan options and answer...
Notes and quotes from today's Nelson Cruz press conference
Notes and quotes from today's Nelson Cruz press conference
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - Today's press conference introducing Nelson Cruz to the media lasted about 10 minutes. A group of his new teammates stood in the back to offer their support, including Adam Jones, Manny Machado, J.J. Hardy, Chris Davis, Matt Wieters, Tommy Hunter, Nick Markakis, Darren O'Day and hitting coach Jim Presley. "That means they care about their teammates," Cruz said. "From experience, I know the closer you are to your teammates, the better you're going to perform on the field....