JUPITER, Fla. - As I mentioned earlier, Sports Illustrated has picked the Nationals to win the World Series. Your thoughts, Davey Johnson? "I don't care. It's nice," Johnson said. "Better than being picked to come in last." The Nationals have known for a little while now that Chris Young would almost certainly be opting out of his minor league contract and seeing whether he could find a spot in a big league rotation somewhere. Now that Young has done just that, and he's been granted...

JUPITER, Fla. - It's not much of a surprise, but Chris Young is now a free agent. The Nationals have granted Young his unconditional release, this after the veteran right-hander chose to opt out of his minor league deal following his start last night in Kissimmee. The Nats had 24 hours to place Young on their 25-man roster after the 33-year-old opted out, but they chose not to do so. As a result, Young is now free to sign with whatever team he chooses. Young had said that he hoped to work...

The Washington Nationals today granted right-handed pitcher Chris Young his unconditional release. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. The Nationals currently have 30 players in their big league camp.

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Miguel Gonzalez, expected to settle into the middle of the Orioles rotation, threw about 85 pitches over six-plus innings yesterday at Twin Lakes Park. Gonzalez, facing the Boston Red Sox's Triple-A team, stayed on the mound to record an extra out in the first and sixth innings to increase his pitch count. "I felt good," he said. "Expo (Luis Exposito) did a great job back there." Gonzalez was satisfied with his changeup, slider and cutter, but said his split-finger...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Wilson Betemit hobbled into the Orioles' clubhouse this morning on crutches and wearing a large brace on his right knee. He also wore a look of extreme disappointment on his face, though his words were tinged with optimism. Betemit said he will be reevaluated in six-to-eight weeks after suffering a Grade 2/3 tear in his right PCL during yesterday's game against the Boston Red Sox in Sarasota. He's been told that, for now, he will continue to receive treatment and rehab the...

VIERA, Fla. - If you don't happen to follow me on Twitter - and if you don't, what the heck are you waiting for? - polled on their predictions for the 2013 MLB season, five have the Nationals reaching the World Series and four picked the Nationals to win it all. All seven, for what it's worth, have the Nats winning the National League East. Two writers see Bryce Harper winning NL MVP honors, and two more see Stephen Strasburg winning the NL Cy Young. The bandwagon is starting to get...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are hitting the road today for the last time this spring. Or, as manager Buck Showalter called them yesterday, the Griswolds. The regulars are on this trip, including designated hitter Nick Markakis, center fielder Adam Jones, shortstop J.J. Hardy and catcher Matt Wieters, who hadn't traveled this spring until today. But it's no vacation and there's no wood paneling on the sides of the bus. Markakis is playing for the first time since March 1. For the...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Apparently, it's not safe to turn away from the Orioles for a few minutes without players being cut from the camp roster or minor league trades being consummated. Wilson Betemit's knee injury and MRI result just added to the frenzy. My morning will include a status update on Betemit, a quick check with Miguel Gonzalez on his start yesterday against Boston Red Sox minor leaguers at Twin Lakes Park and confirmation that Nick Markakis is really traveling to Fort Myers for this...

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Because he had a handful of relievers needing to get in their work, Davey Johnson limited Chris Young to just four innings in tonight's 6-4 loss to the Astros. He liked what he saw in those four innings, though. And really, the Nationals have liked what they've seen from Young all spring. The veteran right-hander allowed just one uneared run on two hits with a walk, a hit batter and two strikeouts. He hasn't allowed an earned run since the first inning of his start three...

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Shortly after allowing just one unearned run over four strong innings tonight against the Astros, Chris Young said that he has opted out of his minor league deal with the Nationals. The Nats now have 24 hours to place Young on the 25-man roster - which is incredibly unlikely - or the veteran right-hander will become a free agent. Young, 33, again said that he has thoroughly enjoyed his time with the Nationals and added that his agent has had talks with the team about...