VIERA, Fla. - After six games, the Nationals' spring record looks more like one a hockey team would see next to its name in the standings: 1-3-2. That's now two ties in the last five games, something Nats manager Davey Johnson isn't a fan of. "Awful," Johnson said with a laugh. "But at least we got 10 innings in and more guys got at-bats. (Ryan) Mattheus was outstanding, (Stephen) Strasburg outstanding." It was a bit surprising to see Mattheus trot out of the dugout to work the top of...

ESPN released its latest "Future Power Rankings" and the Nationals are ranked fourth out of the 30 major league teams. ESPN calls it a "detailed breakdown of the future of every major league franchise" by experts Jim Bowden, Keith Law and Buster Olney. The No. 4 ranking is a jump from 2012 when the Nationals were locked in at No. 11. Here is the link, but you will need a subscription to read the results. The rankings are based on each team's strength in five areas: major leagues, minor...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Finally. Jason Hammel will make his first Grapefruit League start of 2013 today when the Pittsburgh Pirates visit Ed Smith Stadium. Call off the search. The last time we checked, he was throwing in the indoor batting cage Tuesday while high winds swirled around the complex, with "hitters" tracking pitches. It was like batting practice, except without any real batting. Today, opposing hitters will be swinging for the fences. Hammel's right knee is fine. It's not like he...

VIERA, Fla. - It's 4-4 after seven innings here at Space Coast Stadium, as these two National League East squads have traded runs the entire evening. Yunesky Maya allowed single runs in the sixth and seventh innings, surrendering three hits and two walks in his two innings of work. Stephen Strasburg took a few positives out of his outing against the Mets tonight, a three-inning stint in which he allowed a run on two hits, walked one and struck out six. "I think I had a little bit better...

VIERA, Fla. - It wasn't perfect, but it was pretty impressive. Stephen Strasburg got into a bit of trouble in his three innings of work tonight, surrendering three hits and two walks and allowing a first-inning run after a Mike Baxter sacrifice fly brought in Jordany Valdespin. Apparently Valdespin reaches base every single time he comes to the plate against the Nationals. Strasburg still looked good, though, showing off a biting curveball and tough changeup. He struck out six on the...

From A to Z, here is a lengthy list of players reporting to the Orioles' minor league spring training camp this weekend at Twin Lakes Park in Sarasota, Fla. I count 83 pitchers, 19 catchers, 32 infielders and utility players and 28 outfielders on the list for a total of 162 players. Also note some players playing in the World Baseball Classic are not on this list, like Jonathan Schoop. Any player on the current major league camp roster is not on this list. Pitchers: RHP - Baker, David RHP -...

VIERA, Fla. - Yes, the headline says "Strasburg limits." Get your jokes out of the way now. Nationals manager Davey Johnson said that Stephen Strasburg will be on a 60-pitch limit tonight for his second start of spring. Pitching coach Steve McCatty likes to hold all starters to around 45 pitches their first time out, and it ups to 60 pitches for the second start. Johnson won't push Strasburg tonight, however. "If he gives me three innings and gets up around 50 pitches, that's good for...

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Xavier Avery's sacrifice fly in the ninth inning scored Chris Dickerson, who walked and moved up on Ryan Flaherty's single. No win today, but no shutout. The Orioles lost to the Minnesota Twins 7-1 to ruin their bid for a perfect Grapefruit League season. Jair Jurrjens told reporters that he's still having issues with his timing and mechanics. Does manager Buck Showalter agree with that assessment? "He knows himself and his body," Showalter said. "We're still...

VIERA, Fla. - Because shoulder issues have plagued Chris Young for much of the last few years, it's been a while since he's had a normal spring training. Yesterday, Young took the mound on one of the side fields at the Nationals complex and threw his first live batting practice since signing a minor league deal with the team last week. That's something that he hasn't been able to do this early in spring in recent years, but it was a nice first step toward the veteran right-hander getting...

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Jair Jurrjens had an abbreviated outing today at Hammond Stadium. Jurrjens lasted only one inning, walking three batters and throwing 34 pitches before recording the final out. He gave up three runs and two hits - both doubles - and only 13 of his pitches were strikes. Jurrjens, who allowed one run in two innings against the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday, fell behind six of the eight batters he faced. His fastball topped out at 92 mph, but he mostly sat at 89-90 mph,...