Anyone know the identity of the Orioles' representative who watched Brett Tomko throw yesterday in California? Tomko's brother, Scott, tweeted an update that said, "Great bullpen session by BT today for the #Orioles...I stood in & got a batter's perspective & his stuff was sharp." From what I've been told, the Orioles didn't send any scouts, and a couple of front-office types claim that they knew nothing about it. I just need a name. Who repped them? In case you missed it, Tim...

The Nationals today released a list of 18 non-roster invitees to big league spring training, players that are not on the team's 40-man roster, but will be given a chance to work out at major league camp. Many of the names on the list we already knew, due to the Nats signing these players to minor league deals that offered spring training invitations. But other names on the list are up-and-coming prospects who will get a shot to compete with the big leaguers in the early stages of...

The Orioles are no longer offering Tyler Colvin a major league deal following his physical, according to a source, and the outfielder remains on the free-agent market. Colvin took the physical on Jan. 15 in Baltimore, according to multiple industry sources, but no announcement was forthcoming. Speculation began almost immediately that the Orioles weren't satisfied with the results, which a source later confirmed. Colvin, 28, dealt with a disc injury in his back for the majority of the 2013...

Pitchers and catchers to report to Viera, Fla., by February 13 The Washington Nationals have agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Gabriel Alfaro, infielder Jamey Carroll, right-handed pitcher Manny Delcarmen, infielder Mike Fontenot, right-handed pitcher Clay Hensley, right-handed pitcher Daniel Stange, infielder Brock Peterson, and catcher Chris Snyder on minor-league contracts with invitations to Major League Spring Training. In addition, the Nationals extended Spring Training invites...

The Nationals were pleased to be able to reacquire right-handed starter A.J. Cole prior to last season in another trade involving the Oakland A's. This was the deal involving power-hitter Michael Morse and the Seattle Mariners. Cole struggled during his time with the Athletics at the high Single-A level, then gained some consistency with Oakland's low Single-A team. But Cole really got going in his second go-round with the Nationals. He not only flourished at the Single-A level this time,...

The Orioles have signed another player to a minor league contract that doesn't include a spring training invitation, reaching agreement with Scott Savastano, who will report to Twin Lakes Park in Sarasota. Agent Joe Rosen tweeted the news, offering congratulations on the signing. Savastano, 27, has spent all six of his professional seasons in the Mariners organization and is a career .282/.360/.406 hitter. He batted .235/.293/.328 in 58 games with Triple-A Tacoma this year, with four...

Unfortunately, this week has come with bad news for Orioles fans. News broke Wednesday that there may be issues with outfielder Tyler Colvin's physical, and yesterday, the Rays signed Grant Balfour to a two-year deal. However, it has also been reported that the O's are making progress in talks with former Rays closer Fernando Rodney. The Orioles also signed left-hander Aaron Laffey to a minor league deal this week. The long-awaited signing of Japanese pitcher Masahiro Tanaka occurred this...

Two Nationals prospects have been named to MLB.com's Here's the link to the NatsFest page for more information on tickets and the event in general.

The Orioles had three players ranked among baseball's top 100 prospects by MLB.com and MLBPipeline.com in the list released last night. Pitcher Dylan Bundy was ranked No. 20, pitcher Kevin Gausman No. 31 and pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez was ranked No. 68. When this list was released last January, Bundy was ranked No. 2 and Gausman No. 37 by MLB.com and Rodriguez was unranked as the O's had just those two players on the list. On the MLB.com list from last summer, Gausman was No. 14, Bundy No....

Toward the end of last season, I approached Nick Markakis' locker and asked the right fielder whether his statistical decline could be blamed on his previous health issues. Markakis mentioned how he failed to make the necessary adjustments and it became a learning experience, which I found interesting, considering how he'd already spent eight years in the majors. I guess you're never too old to learn. I broached the subject with Markakis again last night on WBAL Radio's "Hot Stove...