Some people consider the day after the Super Bowl to be the beginning of baseball season. Personally, I consider the beginning of baseball season the day that I first hear the click-clack of cleats against the dugout floor and the loud pop of a ball settling into a mitt. That day is today. I'm taking off for Viera, Fla., and Nationals spring training in just a couple of hours, leaving behind the offseason and 20-degree temperatures in place of long, hardball-filled days and sunny...

We should find out within the next couple of days whether pitcher Jair Jurrjens will officially become an Oriole. Executive vice president Dan Duquette, calling into yesterday's "Hot Stove Baseball" show on WBAL Radio, said he hoped that the matter would be resolved "by the start of camp." Pitchers and catchers report to spring training Tuesday, and the first workout takes place the following day. Jurrjens has completed his physical, but the Orioles clearly aren't satisfied with the...

Gio Gonzalez isn't shying away from the spotlight after being linked to a Miami-area anti-aging clinic accused of dealing performance-enhancing drugs. USA Baseball has announced that Gonzalez, a Hialeah, Fla., native, has accepted an invitation to play for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. The Nationals now have three players on their 40-man roster who are on the provisional roster for teams competing in the WBC; second baseman Danny Espinosa is set to play for Team Mexico and...

And now, all of the Orioles' arbitration-eligible players are under contract for 2013. In the case of Darren O'Day, he's also locked up through 2014. O'Day's agency, the Beverly Hills Sports Council, tweeted confirmation this afternoon that the reliever agreed to a two-year deal with an $4.25 million option for 2015. He is guaranteed $5.8 million. The deal becomes official once O'Day passes his physical. O'Day, 30, made $1.35 million last season while winning a career-high seven...

MASN, the television home of the defending National League East champion Washington Nationals, is partnering with WUSA 9 to simulcast 20 Nationals games on WUSA 9 TV in Washington, D.C., during the upcoming 2013 season. The schedule of the games being simulcast on WUSA 9 will begin with the Nationals' April 1 season and home opener against the Miami Marlins and will also include select weekend games. All available Nationals games will be aired on MASN HD and MAS2 HD in 2013; a full MASN...

My remaining hours in the mid-Atlantic region are dwindling. I leave for Viera, Fla., and Nationals spring training tomorrow morning, meaning today is my final day to run errands, pay bills and pack seven weeks' worth of clothes into two suitcases. OK, so there's a laundry room in my hotel, and I don't actually need seven weeks' worth of clothes. But I really hate doing laundry, and as a result, I'm a self-admitted over-packer. I'm also a self-admitted procrastinator, leaving me with...

The days continue to melt away before pitchers and catchers report to spring training. I'm actually counting down the hours now as I try to get my life in order before turning it upside down. The first workout for pitchers and catchers takes place Feb. 13. The first full-squad workout is three days later. Here's the list of non-roster invitees: Pitchers 68 Zach Braddock LHP 75 Kevin Gausman RHP 27 Mark Hendrickson LHP 54 Daniel McCutchen RHP 84 Eduardo Rodriguez LHP 61 Adam Russell RHP 55...

The Orioles today announced that they have agreed to terms with right-handers Jim Johnson and Jason Hammel on one-year contracts, thus avoiding arbitration. Johnson, 29, was 2-1 with a 2.49 ERA (68.2IP, 19ER) and a franchise record and major league-leading 51 saves in 2012. Johnson was named to his first All-Star Team and was named the Rolaids Relief Man of the Year. Hammel, 30, was 8-6 with a 3.43 ERA (118.0IP, 45ER) in 20 starts for the Orioles in 2012. Right-hander Darren O'Day is the...

The Orioles reached agreements with pitchers Jim Johnson and Jason Hammel on one-year contracts earlier tonight, and they're close to a multi-year extension with reliever Darren O'Day, according to industry sources. The deal is "all but done," according to one source. The Orioles are on the verge of giving O'Day, 30, a two-year contract that also includes an option for 2015. O'Day made $1.350 million last season while winning a career-high seven games in eight decisions and posting a...

Orioles closer Jim Johnson will have a new contract when he reports to spring training next week. Johnson has agreed to a $6.5 million deal, according to an industry source, that leaves the Orioles with two unsigned arbitration-eligible players - pitchers Jason Hammel and Darren O'Day. Johnson made $2.625 million last season while leading the majors with 51 saves in 54 opportunities. He filed for $7.1 million and the Orioles countered at $5.7 million. A hearing date would have been set...