VIERA, Fla. - There weren't too many called strikes taken by Nationals hitters in their final Grapefruit League at-bats this afternoon. Everyone is eager to get the heck out of here and make their way up to D.C. The Nationals attacked Mets starter Domingo Tapia today, pouncing on early pitches in the zone and doing some damage with them. Adam LaRoche crushed a solo homer way out to right leading off the second, and two batters later, Danny Espinosa followed with a longball of his...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Pitcher Jair Jurrjens had X-rays taken on his right ribcage this morning and he's waiting for a team physician to review them and pass along the results. Jurrjens said he's still bothered by soreness and stiffness on his right side. He had difficulty sitting down at his locker. Update: Jurrjens' X-rays were negative. He will take today off and could pitch later in the week if the soreness subsides. Also, outfielder Trayvon Robinson is still day-to-day with soreness in his...

This spring has been a confusing one. The only cherry blossoms we have seen were the white puffs of snow clinging to the branches several days ago. Nationals spring training hasn't blossomed the way we thought either. The expectations are so different after winning 98 games in 2012. We want to win them all, even the ones in March. Like the osprey soaring on March winds above Viera, the Nationals have ridden Bryce Harper's bat on one day only to be grounded the next as the pitching staff is...

VIERA, Fla. - After getting his second game off in a five-day span in order to rest a sore left thumb, Bryce Harper is back in the Nationals lineup for today's Grapefruit League finale against the Mets. Harper sat out yesterday's game against the Braves after getting jammed the day prior in a two-hit performance in Jupiter. He said his thumb felt better when he woke up yesterday, and the thumb had improved enough by today that he was cleared to return to the lineup. "He wanted one or two...

VIERA, Fla. - Yesterday, we learned that both Henry Rodriguez and J.C. Romero would make the trip to D.C. with the Nationals following this afternoon's Grapefruit League finale, leaving the two relievers in the mix for the final spot in the Nats' bullpen. Today, manager Davey Johnson said that unless Rodriguez suffers some kind of injury when he appears in tomorrow's exhibition game against the Yankees at Nats Park, the flame-throwing right-hander would get that final bullpen spot, with...

What will happen in the American League this year? Here's a team-by-team look at the AL, the top storylines, key players to watch and one man's predictions. BALTIMORE ORIOLES Storyline: General manager Dan Duquette and manager Buck Showalter have brought stability and a winning attitude to the Orioles, who expect to contend with the rotation in developing stages. The Orioles, the No. 2 wild card team last season, have a deep bullpen to go with a tight defense and strong offense, but...

Maybe you thought you'd never see the day when a prominent national baseball writer would not only pick the Orioles to win the American League East, but at the same time would pick New York to finish last. Well, it happened this week and almost happened twice. ESPN's Buster Olney picks the Orioles first and the Yankees last in the AL East. His ESPN colleague, Jayson Stark, picked the Yankees last, as well, but has the Orioles finishing in second place. Olney ranks them in order as...

VIERA, Fla. - It's here. The final day of spring training is here. Boy, these seven weeks really have flown by. I'm kidding. They really haven't. It's time to get out of here and get some meaningful games under way. I've jammed all my clothes into a couple bags, left some condiments in the fridge in my hotel room and am about to head out the door and make the drive over to Space Coast Stadium for the final time this spring. If you're on the east coast of Florida and need some barbeque...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Let's see whether the Orioles can make it through tonight's game without an injury. Manager Buck Showalter may want to summon a bunch of poor unsuspecting souls from the minor league camp. Get the regulars out of there after the anthem. The pitchers may actually be wearing numbers in the 80s and 90s. The Orioles haven't listed a starter to replace injured Steve Johnson, and Showalter indicated yesterday that he could dig deep into the supply at Twin Lakes Park....

SARASOTA, Fla. - Chris Dickerson has "a slight strain around his right Achilles" and is considered day-to-day, according to manager Buck Showalter. Dickerson tried to plant his foot in the soft grass to avoid running into Conor Jackson in the eighth inning and had to leave the game. Showalter said outfielder Trayvon Robinson is close to returning. Robinson felt more discomfort in his lower back today while taking batting practice. The line drive that hit Jair Jurrjens in the right ribcage...