The Nationals' group of late-inning specialists, consisting of Tyler Clippard, Drew Storen and Rafael Soriano, could be that 1-2-3 punch at the end of games that manager Davey Johnson envisions. If these three can be like the Atlanta Braves' final three (Eric O'Flaherty, Jonny Venters and Craig Kimbrel), the Nationals, as Johnson hopes, can shorten games to six innings. Here is my blog about those three from February. And with a starting five of Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez, Jordan...

JUPITER, Fla. - With less than two weeks left in camp, Davey Johnson is still fielding questions about whether he needs a second left-hander in his bullpen. And the Nationals manager continues to insist that he's confident that his hard-throwing right-handers can be effective against even the most dangerous left-handed sticks. One word summed up Johnson's feelings: "Stuff." The Nationals continue to look at left-hander Fernando Abad, a non-roster invitee, as a potential complement to...

JUPITER, Fla. - The Nationals get another look at right-hander Chris Young today against the Miami Marlins, and it could be their last. Signed to a minor league deal Feb. 22 as part of general manager Mike Rizzo's offseason attempt to bolster the Nats' starting pitching depth, Young has an opt-out clause in his contract. He can leave the club March 24 if he doesn't think he'll have a shot at a roster spot - or if he thinks he can find a major league job elsewhere. The Nationals have him...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter may allow infielder Jonathan Schoop to play today instead of waiting until later this week. Showalter talked about giving Schoop the day off, but he could be persuaded to change his mind. Schoop told reporters this morning that he was ready to play after flying back to Florida early this morning from the World Baseball Classic. "If he wants to play today, I'm going to play him," Showalter said. "I'm going to talk to him. We'll see. In that...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Nate McLouth told me this morning that today's plan calls for him to move back and forth from right field to a fifth-infielder position. Me: "Really??" McLouth: "No." Yeah, he got me. McLouth and Trayvon Robinson switched places in left and center field yesterday through the first six innings of the Orioles' 8-7 win over the Boston Red Sox in Fort Myers. Manager Buck Showalter came up with the idea as a way for both players to get more comfortable with the replica...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Dominican flag was displayed proudly above the lockers of Wilson Betemit and Alexi Casilla in the Orioles clubhouse this morning. They watched with pride last night as the Dominican Republic beat Puerto Rico 3-0 to win the World Baseball Classic, going 8-0 in the tournament. Betemit is from Santo Domingo and Casilla is from San Cristobal. "Oh yeah, real proud," Betemit said. "What a good game for my country. That was great. Everybody in the Dominican was waiting for...

SARASOTA, Fla. - When Manny Machado came to spring training last year, he was a top prospect on the rise, but his locker was not even in the main clubhouse and he knew he was not going to be a big leaguer on opening day. But after a season where he went from Double-A Bowie to the Orioles to the playoffs, he does admit he is more comfortable and established here now. However, you still can't get him to even acknowledge that he will be the starting third baseman come opening day. "I do feel...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter expected Jonathan Schoop to arrive in camp at 8 a.m. this morning following the infielder's stint in the World Baseball Classic. Instead, Schoop arrived in a cab shortly before 7:30 a.m. Slightly rested, and definitely ready. Schoop said he slept on the plane - his flight arrived in Orlando early this morning - and could play today if the Orioles want to use him, but Showalter intends to give him the day off. "I'm ready to go," he...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Nolan Reimold has returned to left field and Adam Jones is in center for the Orioles' game against the Toronto Blue Jays today at Ed Smith Stadium. Brian Roberts is playing in back-to-back games, and he's also scheduled to start on Thursday. J.J. Hardy is serving as the designated hitter. The weather could be a factor. There's rain in the forecast. For the Orioles: Nate McLouth RF Brian Roberts 2B Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Chris Davis 1B J.J. Hardy DH Nolan Reimold...

SARASOTA, Fla. The Orioles are home today to play the Toronto Blue Jays, and it's Zach Britton's latest chance to make a push for the last spot in the rotation. Britton allowed only one hit in 3 2/3 scoreless innings in his last outing against the Boston Red Sox. Brian Matusz went five innings yesterday in Fort Myers. Jake Arrieta went 4 2/3 innings in Dunedin. Wei-Yin Chen went five innings at Twin Lakes Park. This seems like a good time for Britton to pitch into the fifth. Miguel...