When Denard Span showed up to NatsFest last year, he says he walked into the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and immediately felt somewhat out of place. Span had just been acquired by the Nationals in a trade with the Twins - the only organization he had ever known - two months prior, and had yet to meet the vast majority of his teammates and coaches. The then-28-year-old was plenty friendly and accommodating to fans and reporters that day, but he says it wasn't too comfortable of an...

No matter how many announcements are made concerning minor league signings or new scouts, the Orioles' primary focus remains on finding a veteran starting pitcher. Nothing has changed in that regard. However, the bullpen has not gone ignored. It's not set. The Orioles remain in the running for closer Fernando Rodney. They've stayed in contact with his representative as the market for his services diminished. While they seem comfortable with naming Tommy Hunter as their ninth-inning...

If Johnny Monell ever comes with up a big hit to lead the Orioles over the Yankees, he'll be beating his hometown team. The Orioles acquired the Bronx, N.Y., native in late November, sending cash to the San Francisco Giants for Monell, a player San Francisco had designated for assignment a few days earlier. Now, after seven minor league seasons in the Giants organization, Monell is going to try and make a big league opening day roster for the first time. He's out to win the backup catching...

On September 25, 2013, Buck Showalter started Jonathan Schoop at second base, setting him up to play in his first major league game. In his first at-bat of his career, Schoop connected for a line drive up the middle, giving him his first major league hit. Later in the game, Schoop hit another shot up the middle, but this time it left the yard for his first career home run. After a night packed with firsts, Adam Jones took it upon himself to add to the list by delivering Schoop's first pie...

We're less than two months from the Nats' home opener. That means we are less than two months away from witnessing home runs, enjoying ballpark food and most importantly, watching the Presidents Race. OK, maybe it's not the most important aspect of Nationals home games, but it is a staple at Nats Park. Every game, before the bottom of the fourth inning, George, Abe, Tom, Teddy, and Bill face off in a good, old-fashioned foot race. While you wait patiently to watch another season full of...

The Orioles have added to their spring training roster, signing right-hander Evan Meek to a minor league deal, according to a team official. Meek, 30, will report to the Ed Smith Stadium complex, giving the Orioles 31 pitchers in camp. Meek is 7-7 with a 3.34 ERA in 156 major league relief appearances with the Pittsburgh Pirates from 2008-2012. The Texas Rangers signed Meek as a free agent on Dec. 6, 2012, and he went 6-9 with a 4.50 ERA in 33 games, including 15 starts, with Triple-A Round...

The Orioles announced today the hiring of special assignment scout Dave Machemer and amateur scouts Jeff Stevens and Dan Durst. Not quite the same as a starting pitcher or the official list of spring training invites, but I'll take it. Seriously, though, the list of invites should be coming fairly soon, considering that I leave for Sarasota in exactly one week. Machemer managed in the Orioles organization from 1998-2001 and possesses 39 years of experience in professional baseball as a...

The Orioles also announced today the hiring of special assignment scout Dave Machemer and amateur scouts Jeff Stevens and Dan Durst. Machemer, who managed in the Orioles organization from 1998-2001, has 39 years of experience in professional baseball as a manager, instructor and player, including over 1,600 wins as a manager. Stevens, who appeared in 33 games as a reliever for the Cubs from 2009-11, will cover Northern California and Nevada. Stevens was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the...

The Orioles today announced they have added three new members to their corporate partnerships department as Ray Naimoli, Cathy Jerome and Bill Marriott have joined the organization. Naimoli will serve as Senior Manager of Corporate Partnership Sales, where he will develop strategic, customized marketing plans for new and returning corporate partners. Naimoli joins the Orioles after spending 10 years in sponsorship sales with the Baltimore Ravens. Naimoli is a graduate of St. Joseph's...

Stephen Strasburg. Jordan Zimmermann. Sammy Solis. Lucas Giolito. Taylor Jordan. The list goes on and on of Nationals pitchers that have undergone Tommy John surgery and returned. Even a position player, Matt Skole had to undergo the procedure after a freak injury to his elbow at first base early last season. It is a surgery that is much more commonplace in today's baseball world. No one wants to have to go through the procedure or have the injury occur in the first place. But the...