We're just a day away from the Nationals' Grapefruit League opener. Stephen Strasburg will take the mound for the game, and MASN will keep you updated with the latest news and pictures from spring training. For up-to-the-minute updates, be sure to follow Dan Kolko on Twitter and our Nats account on Instagram. There's been much news to report during the second week of spring training, including some interesting storylines out of Viera, Fla. According to a recent report by ESPN's "Outside...

SARASOTA, Fla. - For left-hander Troy Patton, spring training feels the same as last year. It also feels different. Patton showed up in camp a few years ago wondering if he had turned invisible. He went on road trips and didn't pitch. He seemed to have fallen out of favor, and out of any long-range plans. Last spring, he had to beat out Zach Phillips for the job of sole left-hander in the bullpen. The competition went down to the final day. Phillips still had a minor league option remaining,...

In the 2000 season, the New York Yankees won the American League East with 87 victories. Every year since then - all 12 of them, starting in 2001 - the East champ won at least 95 games. The East champ won 97 or more in seven of those seasons. Since 2001, the AL East winner has averaged 98 wins. But will that change this season? Could this be a year when the East champ, due to the balance in a division where five teams all could be pretty good, wins fewer than 90 games again? It seems...

VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals have added some starting pitching depth to their organization, agreeing to terms with veteran right-hander Chris Young on a minor league deal with an invitation to big league spring training. Young, 33, has spent the last two seasons with the Mets, but has also seen time with the Rangers and Padres. The 6-foot-10 righty made the All-Star team with San Diego in 2007. Coming off 2011 shoulder surgery, Young went 4-9 with a 4.15 ERA in 20 starts for the Mets last...

The Washington Nationals today agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Chris Young on a minor-league contract with an invitation to Major League Spring Training. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Young is 53-43 with a 3.79 ERA in 159 career starts with New York-NL (2011-12), San Diego (2006-10) and Texas (2004-05). The 33-year-old, who earned an All-Star nod with the Padres in '07, has posted winning seasons in...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Nolan Reimold wasn't originally slated to play in today's intrasquad game, but he talked his way into the batters box and left field. "I sat down and talked to him today," said Orioles manager Buck Showalter. "He wanted to get out there and get some at-bats. He's been a full-go since he got here. He's been a full turn-loose. It's just waiting on the strength to come back. "It'll be a process. You're not always going to be able to dictate some of the things you can...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles played their first game on the Ed Smith Stadium field, and they decided to have a little fun with it, sending out J.J. Hardy to throw out the ceremonial first pitch to Chris Davis. The rules were relaxed again for the last intrasquad game before Saturday's exhibition opener, starting with left-hander Mark Hendrickson staying on the mound in the bottom of the first inning until he recorded five outs. Five up, five down for Hendrickson and his new sidearm...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Michael Phelps, winner of 22 Olympic medals and an avid fan of Baltimore sports, took five rounds of batting practice this morning on the main field at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. Phelps, wearing an orange jersey with No. 18 to match the number of gold medals he won, and a pair of green sneakers that clashed, received advice from a variety of players and coaches. First base coach Wayne Kirby, standing behind the cage, playfully barked, "This ain't no breast stroke. Come on...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter is using all left-handed pitchers for Team 2 in today's intrasquad game. That includes minor leaguer Eduardo Rodriguez, who will be called upon at some point behind starter Mark Hendrickson. And to think, Rodriguez might have been pitching for Team 1 if he hadn't fallen down as a kid. Rodriguez was 8 years old when he lost his footing while getting on a bus in Valencia, Venezuela. He landed on his right arm, the one he used to throw a...

VIERA, Fla. - Anthony Rendon knows that he's been labeled injury-prone by some around the league. He knows that scouts and fans have seen him suffer three ankle injuries in a four-year span, with a shoulder injury thrown in there, as well. The former first-round pick understands that some might doubt whether he can put together a full, healthy season and deliver on the promise that led many to label him the top prospect out of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft. All Rendon can do now is go...