While the start of spring training is still a few weeks away, some Orioles headed to Sarasota this week for mini-camp. Ed Smith Stadium housed pitchers, up-and-comers, players recovering from injuries and some newcomers this week. Pitchers included Tommy Hunter (the strongest candidate for the O's closer role), Hunter Harvey (the O's first-round pick in 2013), Kevin Gausman, and Dylan Bundy. For the first time in a year, Bundy said that he was throwing without pain, and the right-hander has...

All 30 Major League clubs have approved expanded instant replay, which will be in effect for the 2014 regular season, as well as the postseason. Both the Major League Baseball Players Association and the World Umpires Association have also given their consent to the game's new instant replay protocols. Not only is the list of plays subject to review now longer, but managers will have the ability to challenge at least one play a game, as well. In addition, clubs will now be allowed to show...

Major League Baseball has approved the replay system that will be in place for the 2014 season. Here is the release from MLB providing details: The 30 Clubs of Major League Baseball have unanimously approved the expansion of instant replay, which will be in effect for the 2014 Championship Season and the 2014 Postseason. The historic announcement was made this afternoon, at the conclusion of MLB's quarterly owners meetings. Both the Major League Baseball Players Association and the World...

The Washington Nationals today released new details about 2014 NatsFest, taking place at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center on Saturday, January 25, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Season Plan Holders will have exclusive access to the event for an entire hour (10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.) before NatsFest opens to the general public at 11:00 a.m. For more information on becoming a Season Plan Holder and receiving exclusive benefits like this, visit nationals.com/2014. More than 20...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles made it through four days of their mini-camp. Manager Buck Showalter is hopping on a flight back to Dallas. Players are packing up their gear and heading home, though Dylan Bundy is renting a house in Sarasota and will stay here until FanFest on Feb. 1. "At things like this, you read the players. That's what I've always thought," Showalter said. "I think it's better here than in Baltimore. It just kind of gets everybody away. The weather is better. It also...

One of my favorite parts about watching, broadcasting and writing about sports is seeing a team grow through the season, maturing and learning, getting better at its craft, reaching its potential, ultimately earning a postseason berth and thriving. One of the amazing parts of watching minor league baseball teams have success is if you are good at your level, your organization will move you up right in the middle of the season. Another player from a lower level takes your place and the team...

The Orioles today announced that Marco Gentile has been named Vice President, Corporate Partnerships. In his new role Gentile will oversee the corporate partnerships department, which includes new sponsorship advertising sales and partnership marketing. He and his staff will develop strategic, targeted and customized marketing solutions for new and returning corporate partners to enhance the relationship between the business community and the ballclub. Gentile rejoins the Orioles after...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles pitcher Kevin Gausman has spent most of the offseason away from baseball, attending LSU football games, traveling with his girlfriend and learning how to cook. His girlfriend's mother - the "best cook in the world," as Gausman described her - taught him how to prepare a few Cajun dishes, and he appears to be carrying some gumbo weight. Gausman said he's put on about 12 pounds after dropping down to 183 last season, and he'd like to stay between 195-200 this...

We now live in a world in which a major league player will make more than $30 million per season. Despite that remarkable fact, you won't find many people around baseball who feel the Dodgers overpaid yesterday when they gave left-hander Clayton Kershaw a seven-year, $215 million deal, one that is far and away the richest contract for a pitcher in major league history. Kershaw's average annual salary of $30.7 million is also the highest ever for any player, regardless of position. Kershaw...

After missing 31 games because of injury, Bryce Harper made his return on July 1, 2013 at home against the Brewers. As he approached home plate for his first at-bat, D.C. fans gave Harper a standing ovation. Just as fans sat back down, Harper gave them a reason to return to their feet. On a 1-0 count in his first at-bat in 36 days, Harper smashed a pitch into the Brewers bullpen. Nationals Park rose to its feet, half-stunned, the other half not surprised, as everyone joined to applaud the...