SARASOTA, Fla. - There isn't much competition for the backup catching job in Baltimore. If Taylor Teagarden is healthy, he figures to break camp with the team. Teagarden woke up this morning with lower-back spasms, again bringing his health into question. He didn't debut for the Orioles last season until July 14, when he hit a walk-off home run against the Detroit Tigers at Camden Yards, because of discomfort in his lower back that shut him down for most of spring training. Teagarden's...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Catcher Taylor Teagarden woke up this morning with spasms in his lower back and will take off the next few days, according to manager Buck Showalter. Teagarden was sidelined last spring with lower-back discomfort. We're not certain if it's a similar condition. The clubhouse is closed to the media during batting practice, but we hope to meet with Teagarden later and get a full report. "We've got plenty of time. We're not going to rush him," Showalter said. "I think...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles center fielder Adam Jones stood at his locker this morning wearing a bright yellow T-shirt with "Hulkamania" in red letters across his chest, a nod to former pro wrestling champion Hulk Hogan. Yes, Jones is a real American. Need more proof? He's leaving camp Saturday to join Team USA in Phoenix for the World Baseball Classic. "Get to play for your country," he said, describing his excitement at the chance to represent. "I'm going to miss these guys here, but...

VIERA, Fla. - After a lengthy night game last night, the Nationals will travel to Lake Buena Vista today for another 6:05 p.m. start, this time against the Braves. This will mark three night games in a five-game span, but after today, the Nats will play 13 straight afternoon contests. Players much prefer matinee games in spring, as do reporters. Night games, especially those on the road, really mess with the standard routine down here. The players are most definitely creatures of habit and...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Brian Roberts is leading off for the Orioles today against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Ed Smith Stadium. Nick Markakis is batting second and playing right field. Nolan Reimold is in left field and Nate McLouth is serving as the designated hitter. Manny Machado isn't in the lineup after making yesterday's trip to Fort Myers. For the Orioles: Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Chris Davis 1B J.J. Hardy SS Nate McLouth DH Nolan Reimold LF Wilson...

Starting off spring training games this week, the Nats got their first taste of the National League East with games versus the Marlins, Mets and Braves that ended in a win, three losses and two ties. On Sunday, the Nats announced that Christian Garcia would miss the next 10-14 days with a wrist/forearm strain. While the decision to rest the righty is conservative, the Nats are looking to give him the time he needs. Also close to a return is catcher Wilson Ramos, who is rehabbing from last...

A week into spring training games, the Orioles have suffered just a single loss, which came to the Twins yesterday. Sitting on a 5-1 record, the Orioles are leading the Grapefruit League after beating the Twins, Red Sox and Blue Jays once and the Yankees twice. On Wednesday, Cuban defector Henry Urrutia arrived in Florida from Haiti after obtaining his work visa. He is set to report to camp by the weekend. Pitcher Tsuyoshi Wada is continuing his rehab, throwing 25 pitches off a regular mound...

VIERA, Fla. - After six games, the Nationals' spring record looks more like one a hockey team would see next to its name in the standings: 1-3-2. That's now two ties in the last five games, something Nats manager Davey Johnson isn't a fan of. "Awful," Johnson said with a laugh. "But at least we got 10 innings in and more guys got at-bats. (Ryan) Mattheus was outstanding, (Stephen) Strasburg outstanding." It was a bit surprising to see Mattheus trot out of the dugout to work the top of...

ESPN released its latest "Future Power Rankings" and the Nationals are ranked fourth out of the 30 major league teams. ESPN calls it a "detailed breakdown of the future of every major league franchise" by experts Jim Bowden, Keith Law and Buster Olney. The No. 4 ranking is a jump from 2012 when the Nationals were locked in at No. 11. Here is the link, but you will need a subscription to read the results. The rankings are based on each team's strength in five areas: major leagues, minor...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Finally. Jason Hammel will make his first Grapefruit League start of 2013 today when the Pittsburgh Pirates visit Ed Smith Stadium. Call off the search. The last time we checked, he was throwing in the indoor batting cage Tuesday while high winds swirled around the complex, with "hitters" tracking pitches. It was like batting practice, except without any real batting. Today, opposing hitters will be swinging for the fences. Hammel's right knee is fine. It's not like he...