They didn't have to go far to do it, but the symbolic gesture by several key Orioles to attend Nelson Cruz's press conference may be a big step forward for Cruz with his new team. With their words - and yesterday with their actions - the Orioles players have warmly welcomed Cruz to the team. They are not condoning his suspension, but they are also letting him know he is one of them now and it's time to go to work. Of course, it's now up to Cruz to avoid another suspension that would...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Let the games begin. Not the real ones that count in the Grapefruit League standings, but the intrasquad games that lead into Friday's exhibition opener against the Rays in Port Charlotte. Brian Matusz and Kevin Gausman will make today's starts, each pitcher going one inning. Matusz also will try to get through the entire day without being forced to talk about his wart. I've named the situation "Wartgate," and I don't expect it to start trending on Twitter. Today also...

VIERA, Fla. - Matt Williams met with the media this afternoon, as he does every afternoon in spring, and discussed a variety of topics. Here's a sample platter from that afternoon session with reporters: On Ryan Zimmerman getting his first work this spring at first base during early drills: "He's got great hands, man, so he's really good at it. ... We worked with his footwork around the bag. That's an important thing for a guy that may get a chance to move across the diamond for a couple...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...