ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter is waiting to post his lineup until he speaks with a few players during batting practice, but he confirmed to reporters in his office that Manny Machado will bat second and Steve Pearce will serve as the designated hitter. Showalter also batted Machado second and started Pearce on Thursday against Tampa Bay Rays left-hander David Price, who is taking the mound on Tuesday. It appears that Nolan Reimold will start in left field, which puts...

The Orioles today announced that Einar Diaz has been promoted to Major League Staff Assistant Coach. Beginning this season, Major League Baseball rules permit a seventh coach to be in the dugout or bullpen during games. Diaz will serve primarily as an assistant to Hitting Coach Jim Presley. Diaz, 40, is in his sixth year as a coach in the Orioles organization after coaching assignments with Gulf Coast (Rookie), Aberdeen (Short-season A), Delmarva (A) and Bowie (AA). He also served as...

Bryce Harper might just do some things this season. In his first at-bat of the season, just some 20 minutes after receiving his 2012 National League Rookie of the Year award, Harper crushed a 1-0 pitch from Ricky Nolasco into the right field bleachers. Two pitches, one home run and a lot more talk about what could be to come from Harper in his age-20 season. The homer came on a hanging curveball over the inner half, and it left the park in a hurry. It's 1-0 Nationals. Harper sprinted...

The Nationals have just been introduced to the large crowd at Nats Park, with Bryce Harper, Davey Johnson and Stephen Strasburg receiving the loudest ovations. Jayson Werth opted not to give a high five to Screech, the mascot standing next to the players and team staffers along the first base line, drawing a laugh from reporters here in the press box. Adam LaRoche received his Gold Glove, and Silver Sluggers were handed out to LaRoche, Ian Desmond and Stephen Strasburg. Johnson was given his...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - One advantage to having a manager on Twitter is it's easier to obtain the opening day lineup. Not that Buck Showalter is going to be influenced by Joe Maddon's social media skills. Maddon just tweeted his lineup for Tuesday afternoon's game against the Orioles at Tropicana Field. Desmond Jennings CF Sam Fuld RF Ben Zobrist 2B Evan Longoria 3B Matt Joyce LF Yunel Escobar SS James Loney 1B Jose Molina C Kelly Johnson DH David Price LHP Former Oriole Luke Scott is...

A sea of red is spilling into Nationals Park through the center field gate, and we're just about an hour away from first pitch here between the Nationals and Marlins. Wilson Ramos is ready for his first regular season game in nearly 11 months, saying he's as excited as he could possibly be. Denard Span is pumped for his first meaningful game in a Nats jersey, and says he had trouble sleeping last night because of all the excitement. General manager Mike Rizzo is ready to go, as...

Opening day is always a special time for the fans but is it just another game to the players? Far from it. Especially with what the Nationals were able to accomplish in 2012. A pregame banner ceremony will commemorate the National League East crown from last season, and then it is time to go to work to try to do it again. "I enjoy opening day," said Nationals first baseman Adam LaRoche. "It is an absolute necessity. It is kind of the parade that kicks this thing off." And repeating...

Well, it is almost here, another season of Orioles baseball. There is always excitement for opening day and the rebirth we feel with a new season. I think one of the neat things about last year's Orioles playoff appearance was hearing many writers and broadcasters around the country say it was great to see the O's winning again. "Baseball is better when the Orioles are contending," some said, or words to that effect. They don't have to convince most of us. I have over 40 years...

By any measure, the Nationals' 2012 season was an historic time in the nation's capital. It was the city's first winning season since 1969, its most wins and first postseason appearance in almost 80 years, and first postseason victory since the 1933 World Series. The 2013 season could be even more historic. Few people alive today can remember a season with such high expectations for a Washington baseball team. The pundits at Sports Illustrated and other national media outlets are picking...

We couldn't have asked for a much nicer day for a ballgame, at least on April 1 in Washington, D.C. It's supposed to be around 63 and sunny at first pitch here at Nationals Park, with no rain in the forecast. I'll take it. For those of you coming to the game, you might want to get here early. The opening day ceremonies will begin at 12:08 p.m., with James Brown serving as the master of ceremonies. The Nationals are scheduled to unveil their National League East division champions sign at...