A long winter and a seemingly even longer spring training are behind us. The first pitch of the regular season was thrown last night in Houston, and this afternoon, the Nationals will kick off their 2013 campaign, one that comes with the highest of expectations. Happy opening day, everyone. This day couldn't come soon enough for the Nationals, who saw their 2012 World Series hopes come crumbling down last Oct. 12. Same goes for their opening day starter, Stephen Strasburg, whose season ended...

Greetings, MASNsports.com readers. On behalf of the Fansided Network and our great staff of writers at Birds Watcher, it's an honor to be back with you for the 2013 season. With the season beginning in earnest tomorrow afternoon in St. Petersburg, Fla., the big lingering question regarding the Orioles is whether or not they can repeat their successes from 2012. Before getting into that question, it's worth mentioning as a disclaimer that we have no clue what wild cards (is the use of that...

ST.PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles will conduct their workout at Tropicana Field today at 3 p.m., and my first prediction for the 2013 season is that the temperature will be 72 degrees. That's the last time I'm going out on a limb. The clubhouse will be open to reporters from 2-2:45 p.m. Then it's back up to the press box while players trickle out of the dugout, take batting practice and go through fielding drills. Manager Buck Showalter told reporters a few days ago that he would pass...

Right-hander Dylan Bundy, considered one of the best pitching prospects in baseball, is dealing with a mild elbow issue, Orioles vice president Dan Duquette confirmed tonight to MASNsports.com "Dylan has some mild tightness in his right elbow which he is resting until it's resolved, which we expect will be in a couple of days," Duquette wrote via text. Bundy went 9-3 with a 2.08 ERA in 23 starts this past season at three minor league levels and then pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings in two...

Right-hander Ryan Mattheus feels like 2013 is different. Of course, he has to prove himself. But this feels better than in years past where he came into camp trying to make the team. This season, he felt like his spot was his to lose. He felt more in control during spring training. "It's huge," Mattheus said. "I finally had the pressures of making the team. I guess I could have went in and lost the job. I came in this spring and it was my job to lose. And that is just comforting, that I...

The Washington Nationals today reassigned left-handed pitcher J.C. Romero to minor league camp. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. The move finalizes the Nationals' 25-man opening day roster.

The Orioles have set break camp rosters for each minor league affiliate. The final and official opening day rosters will be announced later next week. The four opening night starters will be Zach Clark for Triple-A Norfolk, Mike Wright at Double-A Bowie, Devin Jones at Single-A Frederick and Parker Bridwell for Single-A Delmarva. An earlier entry on this was deleted in a brilliant move by yours truly and is now being recreated so keep checking back for more. Cuban outfielder Henry Urrutia is...

We knew this was coming, but the Nationals officially reassigned left-handed reliever J.C. Romero to minor league camp this afternoon, a move that finalizes their opening day 25-man roster. Romero will open the season in the bullpen at Triple-A Syracuse and serve as insurance in case of injury or if the Nats need more left-handed presence in their 'pen. The Nats will break camp with 13 position players and 12 pitchers, opting to go with a five-man bench and a seven-man bullpen, as they did...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The fields are finally emptying at the minor league complex at Twin Lakes Park. Players are headed inside to eat, work out and attend meetings. Jake Arrieta and Jair Jurrjens each tossed five innings in the same minor league game. Zach Britton and Kevin Gausman pitched on another field. Freddy Garcia passed his physical and threw a bullpen session. Wei-Yin Chen also threw on the side, with pitching coach Rick Adair stopping him a few times to offer instruction. Arrieta,...

The Orioles today announced that they have placed right-hander Steve Johnson (right lat strain), infielder Wilson Betemit (right knee ligament sprain) and left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada (left elbow surgery) on the disabled list. Wada is retroactive to March 22, Johnson is retroactive to March 23 and Betemit is retroactive to March 26. The Orioles had previously placed right-hander Chris Tillman on the disabled list with a left abdominal strain, retroactive to March 22. The club has selected the...