Is Miguel Gonzalez underrated? I think the answer to that is yes and I think he is underrated by some of his own fanbase. Gonzalez has been a solid starter for most of the last two years for the Orioles and here's a big one - he's pitched well against the American League East. Over the last two seasons, Gonzalez is 20-12 with a 3.58 ERA. A.J. Burnett, who just got a one-year, $16 million contract, is 26-21 with an ERA of 3.41. Gonzalez, by the way, has earned about $1 million total over the...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Shortstop J.J. Hardy has reported to camp. He stopped by the media workroom a few minutes ago while waiting for his rental car. Orioles manager Buck Showalter wore the usual path between practice fields today, fungo bat in hand. He participated in a pitchers fielding drill by standing at the plate and squaring to bunt. He watched four groups throw bullpen sessions. Showalter was in his element. "It's a fun day, fun for everybody," he said. "It's kind of fun watching...

Pitchers and catchers reported yesterday. Baseball is back. All is right in the world. Well, almost. Maybe we could do something with all of that snow. Before the start of spring training, there was still a lot of buzz surrounding the Orioles' organization. And it all started with a selfie. (Never thought I'd write that.) On Tuesday, Korean pitcher Suk-min Yoon tweeted a picture of himself wearing an Orioles hat. Although there had been rumors linking the O's and the pitcher, no deal had...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Korean pitcher Suk-min Yoon took his physical today and left the complex. The Orioles aren't expected to make an announcement on his signing before Saturday. The Orioles are trying to obtain a work visa for Yoon without him making another trip to south Korea. Manager Buck Showalter isn't certain whether Yoon will work out as a starter or reliever. He still needs to sit down with executive vice president Dan Duquette. Showalter also doesn't know when Yoon will be ready...

VIERA, Fla. - Erik Davis had been having what he felt like was a "great" offseason. He was full-go, pretty much ready for spring training and throwing to hitters back home a week before he was set to report to camp. Then, when letting go of a changeup about 50 pitches into that throwing session, Davis felt something in his right elbow. He threw another pitch, a fastball, and while the pitch came out with good velocity and good control, he felt the discomfort in his elbow again. It was only...

Guess what? Baseball's back! If you live in the D.C. region (or pretty much anywhere on the East Coast,) your mind may be on snow and ice versus summer nights and baseball. However, as we're stuck in the cold weather, the Nationals (and our Dan Kolko) are soaking up the spring training weather. Before spring training started, Tyler Clippard and the Nationals reached an agreement, avoiding arbitration. In addition, MASN announced that it picked up a the Nats' exhibition game against the...

VIERA, Fla. - It was just four days ago that Tyler Clippard and the Nationals finally agreed to terms on a contract for 2014 after weeks of negotiations, a deal that will pay the right-handed reliever $5.875 million this season and avoid the need for arbitration. Today, on his 29th birthday, Clippard strolled into the Nationals clubhouse, pleased to have the process done with and a set contract on paper before spring training gets going. "I'm happy, man. I was glad it got done," Clippard...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles took the field an hour earlier than scheduled for today's first official workout. Four of the back fields were used for pitchers fielding practice. Now it's time to hit. The only no-shows are pitcher Alfredo Aceves and catcher Johnny Monell, who had weather-related travel issues. Non-roster pitcher Fabio Castillo got a late flight last night out of the Dominican. Brian Matusz and Chris Tillman are throwing bullpen sessions. Earlier, Dylan Bundy played catch...

VIERA, Fla. - Spring training will have a bit of a family feel for Ian Desmond this year. The Nationals just signed his brother-in-law to a minor league contract with an invitation to big league spring training. Right-handed reliever Josh Roenicke, who is married to Desmond's sister, agreed to terms with the Nats today. The 31-year-old spent last season with the Twins, posting a 4.35 ERA in 63 games. He struck out 6.5 batters per nine innings last season and walked 5.2 per nine, and pitched...

The Nationals Youth Baseball Academy, designed for elementary and middle school students in D.C., continues to put the finishing touches on the facility as it prepares for a March 3 opening at Fort Dupont Park. There has been amazing progress at the facility and grounds since the last time we visited the site in November. Compare them to the pictures here to see the big transformation. Executive director Tal Alter said planning for the programs, including initial after-school programs already...