The Orioles announced contract extensions through the 2018 season for executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette and manager Buck Showalter on Wednesday evening. They will hold a 10 a.m. press conference with the duo at Camden Yards on Thursday. The pair led the Orioles to a 24-win improvement in 2012, as the team went from 69-93 to 93-69 and posted its most wins and first playoff berth since 1997. From Aug. 1 to the end of the regular season, the Orioles went 38-20 and...

The Washington Nationals today released new details about 2013 NatsFest, taking place for the first time at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on Saturday, January 26, 2013. More than 25 Nationals players and prospects are expected to attend the fun-filled baseball festival, including but not limited to*: Corey Brown, Tyler Clippard, Ian Desmond, Ross Detwiler, Danny Espinosa, Christian Garcia, Gio Gonzalez, Brian Goodwin, Bryce Harper, Nathan Karns, Steve Lombardozzi, Ryan Mattheus,...

The Orioles and OriolesREACH previously announced plans for a three-day, four-city caravan around Maryland that will include appearances by front office staff and several Orioles players. In addition to the four announced locations, on Friday, January 18, Orioles pitcher Dylan Bundy, former Oriole and Special Assistant to the Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations Brady Anderson, strength and conditioning coach Joe Hogarty and the Oriole Bird will appear at Commodore John Rodgers...

NatsFest is only 10 days away, and information is finally leaking out about exactly what visitors to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center can expect for the event, which will run from noon-4 p.m. (with season ticket holders getting in an hour early at 11 a.m.). First, there are no longer autograph vouchers available for purchase through the team. However, you might be lucky enough to find these on the secondary market - CraigsList, eBay, etc. Which Nationals players will be appearing on...

With individual game tickets for 2013 games going on sale Saturday in conjunction with FanFest, the Orioles have pulled back the curtain for a sneak peek at some of the promotions that will occur during the upcoming season. Among the giveaways and events this year are a 1983 world champions floppy hat giveaway on July 12, an Adam Jones replica road jersey giveaway on July 13 and an O's batting practice cap giveaway on July 14. That's quite a haul for one weekend series against the Toronto...

The Orioles today announced their 2013 Early Bird Promotions Schedule, a variety of giveaways and promotions designed to appeal to fans of all ages during the upcoming season. Highlights of this year's promotions include an Adam Jones Replica Away Jersey, a 1983 World Champs Floppy Hat and the return of the AT&T Fans' Choice Bobblehead. Also new to the schedule this year are a Men's Travel Kit, a Beach Towel, and Ear Buds. Returning giveaways and promotions include a 2013 Schedule & Car...

If you missed Bryce Harper's appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" last night, you also missed Kimmel's first "clown question" reference coming four seconds after Harper walked out on stage. No, seriously. I'm not kidding. Kimmel's according to former Nats general manager Jim Bowden) to bring in a guy who doesn't fulfill a specific need for you? And why do it when it didn't appear that Boras, Soriano's über-confident agent, had many other teams interested in the 33-year-old...

Orioles infielder Ryan Flaherty collected nine hits and one illness during his brief stay in the Dominican Winter League. Flaherty, who's currently working out in Tampa, batted .209/.306/.233 with one double, three RBIs, six walks and 13 strikeouts in 43 at-bats with Escogido. He returned to the U.S. on Dec. 20 about eight pounds lighter after coming down with a bad case of "water poisoning" during his last few days. "It was kind of crappy," Flaherty said, no pun intended. "It's...

The Washington Nationals have agreed to terms with left-handed pitchers Fernando Abad, Bill Bray and Brandon Mann, right-handed pitcher Ross Ohlendorf and infielder Will Rhymes on minor-league contracts with invitations to Major League Spring Training. In addition, the Nationals extended Spring Training invites to left-handed pitcher Pat McCoy, right-handed pitcher Tanner Roark, catcher Carlos Maldonado, first baseman/third baseman Matt Skole and infielder Zach Walters. Nationals Executive Vice...

The Gulf Coast League Nationals had their share of pitching prospects make progress in 2012, as the youngsters look to move up to short-season Single-A Auburn or low Single-A Hagerstown. We will take a look at several of their prospects in a couple of installments this week. The Nationals worked very hard to teach the prospects to pitch to contact, emphasizing from the beginning a philosophy of putting the ball in play and not allowing walks. Pitching coach Michael Tejera, rehab pitching...