The Washington Nationals today optioned left-handed pitcher Matt Purke to Hagerstown of the Single-A South Atlantic League. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. The Nationals currently have 49 players in their big league camp.

VIERA, Fla. - Rafael Soriano just faced three hitters in a scoreless seventh inning, throwing 12 pitches (seven strikes) and striking out Astros outfielder Robbie Grossman to end the frame. Making his Grapefruit League debut with the Nationals, Soriano gave up a flyout to deep center off the bat of Justin Maxwell, then allowed a single to J.D. Martinez, which bounced off the glove of Ian Desmond. Just a couple of pitches later, Martinez was caught stealing, thanks to a strong throw by catcher...

DUNEDIN, Fla. - The wind is blowing out to left field, and the Orioles are taking full advantage of it. Conor Jackson's home run didn't need much help. He crushed the ball. The Orioles have 14 hits in seven innings, three more than the Toronto Blue Jays, and they continue to lead, 6-5. Kevin Gausman's fastball was hitting 97 mph in the bottom of the seventh. He allowed two straight singles to begin the inning, but he got a fly ball and a called third strike on a 97 mph heater. The next...

VIERA, Fla. - Dan Haren worked both sides of the plate, mixed in some sharp off-speed stuff and cut his way through the Astros' lineup through his first two innings of work this afternoon. Haren retired the first six Astros hitters he faced, not letting a ball out of the infield in that time, before hitting a bit of a bump in the third. The veteran righty allowed a run on two hits and a walk in that third inning, but he'll likely leave Space Coast Stadium today pleased with his...

DUNEDIN, Fla. - Conor Jackson and Steve Pearce basically are competing for the same job this spring, along with a handful of other players who fit a similar profile - right-handed bat off the bench who can play first base, left field and serve as the designated hitter. Jackson reached on an infield hit in the top of the second inning today and scored on Pearce's two-run homer to give the Orioles a 2-1 lead over the Toronto Blue Jays. Neither player is backing down. Jackson is 6-for-17 with...

VIERA, Fla. - Bo Porter spent much of the late morning walking around the field inside Space Coast Stadium, giving friendly handshakes and dishing out big hugs. The Astros' new manager, who spent the last two years with the Nationals as the team's third base coach, is back in Viera today to play his former team. As the Nats took batting practice, Porter weaved his way behind the batting cage, having lengthy chats with Nationals owner Mark Lerner, manager Davey Johnson and many of his former...

VIERA, Fla. - Nationals manager Davey Johnson used yesterday's off-day the same way many of use spend our days away from the job: He got stuff done around the house. Johnson went back to his home in the Orlando area and took care of a couple "dangerous jobs," including replacing a handful of light bulbs that were 24 feet off the ground. He got through the tasks just fine, then took a playful jab at Yankees general manager Brian Cashman, who broke his leg while skydiving yesterday. "I...

DUNEDIN, Fla. - The Orioles announced this morning that they will host a public celebration of life for Hall of Fame manager Earl Weaver on Saturday, April 20 at 2 p.m. at Camden Yards. The program, "A Celebration of Earl," will include a video tribute and a collection of notable guest speakers, including manager Buck Showalter, Brooks Robinson, Frank Robinson, Rick Dempsey, Hall of Fame President Jeff Idelson and Earl's son, Mike Weaver. Gates A and H will open at 1 p.m. Complimentary...

The Orioles will host a public celebration of life for legendary manager Earl Weaver at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Saturday, April 20 at 2:00 p.m. The program, "A Celebration of Earl," will include a video tribute and a collection of notable guest speakers to honor the memory of the greatest manager in Orioles history. Guest speakers include Brooks Robinson, Frank Robinson, Rick Dempsey, Buck Showalter, National Baseball Hall of Fame President Jeff Idelson and Earl's son, Mike Weaver....

VIERA, Fla. - Roger Bernadina's World Baseball Classic journey will continue for at least another week, as the Nationals outfielder delivered an RBI single early this morning, helping the Netherlands defeat Australia to advance to the second round of the WBC. The Netherlands will now fly from Taiwan to Japan for second-round action, which will start later this week. Bernadina, who is racking up some impressive frequent flier miles on this trip, now has two hits and three RBIs in three WBC...