VIERA, Fla. - Following this afternoon's 11-2 split-squad win over the Braves, the Nationals made two cuts, sending left-hander Fernando Abad and catcher Carlos Maldonado over to minor league camp. Abad, who came into camp competing for a spot in the bullpen, impressed this spring. He went 2-0 with a 2.57 ERA in eight appearances spanning seven innings. Maldonado was 3-for-13 (.231) with a double in 15 games played. The cuts leave the Nats with 28 players remaining in big league...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Jason Hammel has been told about his next start and where he fits in the Orioles rotation, but he asked reporters to get the information from manager Buck Showalter. Hammel clearly has been chosen as the opening day starter on April 2 against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Official word is pending. Wei-Yin Chen is lined up to pitch the second game, followed by Miguel Gonzalez. The starter for the home opener on April 5 against the Minnesota Twins could depend on Chris...

The Orioles today announced details for their exhibition game against the State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) Manatees, this Friday, March 29 at 2 p.m. at Ed Smith Stadium. Entry to the game is free. Reserved tickets for seating near the SCF dugout are $5. Proceeds will benefit SCF Manatees Athletics to support scholarships and athletic department operations. Free parking will be available in the East Lot. For more information and to reserve tickets, contact the SCF athletics...

The way MASNsports.com is structured, conversation is encouraged. And good conversation requires strong, distinctive voices. The blogosphere covering baseball is Washington, D.C., is one of the strongest collections of baseball observers in the major leagues, chocked full of well-reasoned opinions and creative storytellers. We're happy to once again welcome these dedicated writers to our pages for the 2013. Guest bloggers will return to MASNsports.com, offering their viewpoints each weekday...

VIERA, Fla. - Wilson Ramos is having himself a ballgame. And with opening day now just five days away, you have to wonder whether it will influence manager Davey Johnson's decision on who will be his opening day catcher. Ramos has crushed two home runs today - one to right field in the third inning and one way out to left field in the fourth - both on the first pitch of the at-bat. The first home run was of the solo variety, the second was a three-run shot. Coming into today, Ramos was...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Nick Markakis is leading off and playing right field for tonight's game against the New York Yankees at Ed Smith Stadium. Brian Roberts is at second base and Alexi Casilla is at shortstop. J.J. Hardy will serve as the designated hitter. For the Orioles: Nick Markakis RF Brian Roberts 2B Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Chris Davis 1B J.J. Hardy DH Nate McLouth LF Manny Machado 3B Alexi Casilla SS Jair Jurrjens RHP Troy Patton, Tommy Hunter, Daniel Schlereth, Adam Russell,...

The Orioles announced today that they will once again invite all baseball fans to celebrate their birthday at Camden Yards and attend a game for free in 2013. The "Come Free for your Birthday" promotion, presented by Carvel, debuted in 2009 and has continued every season since. The program has been wildly successful, with nearly 100,000 fans participating since its inception. The birthday promotion is part of the team's effort to continue to offer Orioles baseball as the most affordable...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles right-hander Jason Hammel allowed three runs and three hits over five innings today in a game against Tampa Bay's high Single-A team on the Camden Yards field at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. Hammel walked three batters and struck out six before heading to the clubhouse. He threw 76 pitches, 47 for strikes. The assumption is that Hammel was making his final start before the Orioles announce him as their opening day starter. They begin the 2013 season against the...

VIERA, Fla. - Instead of making the trip all the way to Jupiter to throw just a few meaningless innings the day before the Nationals leave Florida, Stephen Strasburg got in his final spring frames over on the minor league side today. Facing a lineup made up of members of the Nats' Triple-A team, Strasburg's outing was largely uneventful. He allowed back-to-back softly hit singles in one inning, one off the bat of Will Rhymes, drawing a frustrated swipe of the glove from Strasburg. Strasburg...

VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals lineup today doesn't have Bryce Harper's name in it, and tomorrow's might not, as well. Harper is dealing with some inflammation in his left thumb after getting jammed by a pitch yesterday. While Harper says the thumb feels better today than it did after he left yesterday's game against the Marlins, he will get a day off today and the plan was for him to not take batting practice in an effort to avoid further soreness. "Feels fine," Harper said. "I thought...