The Nationals have agreed to terms with left-hander Ross Detwiler on a contract for the 2014 season, avoiding salary arbitration. Per the New York Post, Detwiler will make $3 million this season, with a $50,000 bonus if he reaches 180 innings. Update: A source familiar with the contract confirms that Detilwer will make $3 million this season, a raise over the $2.34 million he made in 2013. Detwiler has gone 18-29 with a 3.79 ERA over 85 big league appearances (69 starts). He was a solid...

The Orioles have reached an agreement on a one-year contract with right-hander Bud Norris, according to an industry source. This allows the club to avoid a possible arbitration hearing. Norris went 4-3 with a 4.80 ERA in 11 games, including nine starts, for the Orioles last year after he was acquired in a trade with Houston. Over 50 2/3 innings, Norris gave up 61 hits with 24 walks and 57 strikeouts. In five home games, Norris went 2-1 with a 7.30 ERA and in six road games, he went 2-2 with...

Tucked in at the end of the press release announcing Major League Baseball's new instant replay system - MASNsports.com's Steve Melewski has the full rundown here - is a paragraph announcing the return of one creative use of technology that has been absent from big league ballparks for 38 years. "Clubs will now have the right to show replays of all close plays on its ballpark scoreboard, regardless of whether the play is reviewed," reads the passage. Though it makes little sense,...

Nationals fans: You've had plenty to be pleased with this offseason. While other major league rosters and rotations are still completely up in the air, the Nats have been receiving national praise for their offseason moves, most of which came very early in the offseason. As we look toward NatsFest (Look for me at the MASN booth!), at which many players will make an appearance, the biggest question for the Nats is who the fifth starter will be. The question is certainly not a bad one to have,...

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...