VIERA, Fla. - Jordan Zimmermann didn't really look like himself this afternoon in the Nationals' 16-10 loss to the Cardinals. Neither did Nathan Karns. There might be a reason for that. Zimmermann gave up eight runs on nine hits over three innings, while Karns surrendered seven runs (one earned) in just 2/3 of an inning. According to manager Davey Johnson, both guys were battling medical issues. For Zimmermann, it's merely a case of dead arm, according to Johnson, who said that the...

The Orioles today announced that they have agreed to terms with 17 players on one-year contracts, completing agreements with all players on the 40-man roster. Today's agreements included right-handers Jake Arrieta, Zach Clark, Miguel Gonzalez, Steve Johnson, Pedro Strop and Chris Tillman; left-handers Mike Belfiore, Zach Britton and T.J. McFarland; catcher Luis Exposito; infielders Ryan Flaherty, Manny Machado, Yamaico Navarro, Jonathan Schoop and Danny Valencia; and outfielders Xavier Avery...

VIERA, Fla. - While Jordan Zimmermann and Nathan Karns took a beating today for the Nationals, Rafael Soriano and Henry Rodriguez delivered scoreless innings in relief. Rodriguez, making his spring debut after working back from elbow surgery and some biceps tightness, pitched a 1-2-3 sixth inning this afternoon, and needed just eight pitches to do so. Manager Davey Johnson had originally planned to give the flame-throwing righty just one batter this afternoon, but he ended up being...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Tsuyoshi Wada threw on one of the back fields today. Manny Machado is getting dressed for the workout, no evidence of swelling in his face after yesterday's root canal. Taylor Teagarden is preparing to take batting practice and catch bullpen sessions, the discomfort in his lower back fading. Never hurts to check. "I was pretty much a full participant in yesterday's workout and I'm going to do it again today," Teagarden said. "Make sure that the back feels good. It's...

VIERA, Fla. - As Dan Haren noted the other day, when pitchers look good in spring training outings, they'll talk about how great they felt. When they get smacked around in spring training outings, they'll talk about how they were just working on stuff. Jordan Zimmermann was just working on stuff today. Zimmermann got smacked around in his three innings of work this afternoon, allowing eight runs on nine hits. He also walked two batters and struck out one. The third inning was especially...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Xavier Avery gets the start in center field tonight, as the Orioles travel to Bradenton to play the Pittsburgh Pirates. Wilson Betemit will start at third base, with Manny Machado skipping the trip. For the Orioles: Alexi Casilla SS Ryan Flaherty 2B Wilson Betemit 3B Jason Pridie DH Travis Ishikawa 1B Trayvon Robinson LF Chris Dickerson RF Jose Gil C Xavier Avery CF Wei-Yin Chen LHP Brian Matusz, Tommy Hunter, Troy Patton and Daniel Schlereth also are scheduled to...

VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals have a bit of a policy when it comes to pitchers working back from injuries: They need to rehab one day for every day that they were shut down. Christian Garcia first felt discomfort in his right wrist/forearm during a bullpen session Feb. 17 and last threw on Feb. 21. He's been shut down ever since, after doctors determined that Garcia had a strained tendon in his forearm. Manager Davey Johnson said that Garcia will be examined again in a couple of days by team...

VIERA, Fla. - Six spots in the Nationals' bullpen are already set, barring injury, leaving an opening for just one more arm. Henry Rodriguez, Fernando Abad, Cole Kimball and Christian Garcia have been mentioned as candidates for that final bullpen spot this spring. But in manager Davey Johnson's mind, the job is Rodriguez's to lose. Asked today what he needs to see from Rodriguez this spring to convince him that the flame-throwing right-hander deserves a spot on the 25-man roster, Johnson...

Right-hander Nathan Karns is getting himself acclimated quickly at spring training. In his first two games, Karns did not allow a run in three innings, scattering two hits, walking two and striking out three. One of those hits was a seeing-eye single given up to Mets All-Star David Wright after quite a battle. "I feel like I started off on the right foot and keep going in that direction for the rest of spring training," the 25-year-old Karns said. "I want to build off of this and have a...

VIERA, Fla. - Roger Bernadina went 0-for-3 with a walk, but the Netherlands beat Cuba 6-3 last night in the opening second-round game of the World Baseball Classic. Orioles infield prospect Jonathan Schoop blasted a three-run homer and Braves shortstop Andrelton Simmons had two hits as the Netherlands continued its hot play to start the WBC. Team USA opens play at 9 p.m. tonight as R.A. Dickey will take the mound facing Mexico. Ross Detwiler is scheduled to piggyback Ryan Vogelsong in...