SARASOTA, Fla. - Left-hander Mark Hendrickson is adjusting to more than just a new arm slot in his delivery. He's also throwing a new pitch. Hendrickson is throwing a slider for the first time in his career. "To be honest, I'm a completely different pitcher than anybody's ever seen because I never threw the slider," Hendrickson said after today's bullpen session and workout. "I always threw the curveball. But down there, you can kind of mess with some grips and see how it comes out....

VIERA, Fla. - As I mentioned earlier, the Nationals have confirmed that closer Rafael Soriano's arrival at camp has been delayed by a visa issue. According to a source, because Soriano has a new employer, his previous visa, which was for five years, needs to be adjusted. While the Nats would obviously prefer to have Soriano in camp, it's still very early. Camp is extended this year because of the World Baseball Classic anyway, and it's not like Soriano hasn't been through this process...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Reliever Luis Ayala hasn't made a final decision on whether he will pitch for Mexico in the World Baseball Classic. Ayala said he expects to inform the team Friday morning. The Orioles made the assumption that Ayala would leave camp to participate in the WBC, along with center fielder Adam Jones, reliever Pedro Strop, infielder Jonathan Schoop, and catchers Chris Robinson and Allan de San Miguel. The team would prefer that Ayala rest after pitching for Mexico in the...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The threat of rain hangs in the air, along with the dark clouds that remind us of it. Wei-Yin Chen, Jason Hammel and Chris Tillman will throw in Group 1 today; Miguel Gonzalez, Pedro Strop and Mark Hendrickson in Group 2; Daniel McCutchen, Troy Patton and Daniel Schlereth in Group 3; Mike Belfiore, Kevin Gausman and Eduardo Rodriguez in Group 4. Rodriguez, 19, is regarded as the third-best pitching prospect in the organization behind Dylan Bundy and Gausman. The left-hander...

VIERA, Fla. - Nationals pitchers and catchers are getting ready to take the fields for their first official workout of spring. All of them, that is, except for Rafael Soriano, who has not yet been seen at Nats camp. The deadline for pitchers and catchers to report was midnight Tuesday. Soriano's locker has clearly not been touched since it was assembled by the Nationals' clubhouse staff, and his parking pass still sits on the bottom ledge of the locker. Despite inquiries, team officials...

VIERA, Fla. - "The Chief" is making a comeback. Chad Cordero, who spent six seasons with the Expos/Nationals organization and saved 128 games in that time, announced last night on Twitter that he has signed a minor league deal with the Angels. Now 30, Cordero won't be receiving an invitation to big league spring training, according to reports, so his journey back to the majors still has some obstacles. But Cordero, a former All-Star and fan favorite in D.C., has a chance. So you're...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Pitchers and catchers take the field at 10 a.m. today for the pre-workout stretch. We're moving toward a more normal spring training schedule. The clubhouse will be open to the media from 8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m., and again following the workout. Perhaps infielder Yamaico Navarro will make an appearance and complete the roster. Then again, it could expand if outfielder Trayvon Robinson cleared waivers. We're supposed to find out today. And hey, there's that whole Jair Jurrjens...

Orioles pitching prospect Kevin Gausman officially reported this week to the club's major league camp in Sarasota to prep for his first full season in the organization. The fourth overall pick in the First-Year Player Draft last June by the Orioles out of LSU, the right-hander was signed by the club just minutes before the deadline last July 13. Gausman's bonus of $4.32 million is one of the largest ever handed out by the club. Gausman, who turned 22 in January, then went 0-1 with a 3.60...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The first round of physicals and workouts each spring training always brings the same first question: Did you make it through the day without any injuries? That seems to be the case today with the Orioles. "As far as I know," said manager Buck Showalter. "Richie (Bancells) didn't come to me about ... It seems like every spring, somebody's got a flag in the physicals that pulls them out, but nothing today. We'll see how we get post-workout. I haven't spoke to him yet. I...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Outfielder Nolan Reimold didn't have any restrictions during today's workout. He participated in drills and took batting practice on the Camden Yards field. Reimold swung against camp instructor Scott McGregor on Tuesday, and he joined a batting practice group today that included Manny Machado, Ryan Flaherty and Lew Ford. "It was good. Just progressing into it," Reimold said later while standing at his locker. "I felt pretty good yesterday. Still trying to get stronger...