NORTH PORT, Fla. – Major leaguers usually have to learn how to hit the ball the other way. Some never figure it out and develop reputations as dead-pull hitters. James Wood has already established his ability to crush the ball to the opposite field in a manner few hitters of any age can. Now the Nationals' young star is learning how to pull it, ful

SARASOTA, Fla. – Zach Eflin entered camp this spring as the favorite to receive the Opening Day start on March 27. Grayson Rodriguez’s injury seemed to make it official. Orioles manager Brandon Hyde did so this afternoon. It’s happening as expected. Hyde announced that Eflin, 30, will face the Blue Jays on March 27 at Rogers Centre, the right-hande

NORTH PORT, Fla. – Injuries are the last thing any player wants to experience at this stage of spring training, all the more so for any player battling for a spot on the Opening Day roster. So when Andrés Chaparro had to be scratched from today’s lineup after experiencing some kind of discomfort during batting practice, the competition for the fina

NORTH PORT, Fla. – Hello, for the first time ever, from CoolToday Park, home of the Braves. It’s the first time the Nationals have ever played here, and it’s the first time your humble beat writer has ever been here, which officially completes my lifetime Grapefruit League circuit. I’ve now been to every active spring training site in Florida at le

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – CJ Abrams’ quads appear to be just fine, thank you very much. And the young trio atop the Nationals lineup appears to be primed for some big things this season if Thursday’s performance was a sign of things to come. With Abrams back playing one day after departing in the first inning with bilateral quadriceps cramps, manager

SARASOTA, Fla. – The best way to celebrate a safe return from Dunedin is to update the will again and empty the mailbag. You ask ‘em, I answer ‘em, we have our latest sequel to the beloved 2008 original, and I promise myself that I’ll try harder next time. The extent of my editing is to remove the references to politics from some of you lunatics. Y

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – The fifth starter competition in Nationals camp has been less a spirited battle and more a war of attrition. One that may leave Mitchell Parker as the last man standing when the team heads north in 10 days. DJ Herz seemingly had an opportunity to make a case for himself this afternoon against the Rays, but it turns out the Na

DUNEDIN, Fla. – The number was right, but the player wearing it jogged to left. Anthony Santander faced the Orioles today for the first time since signing a five-year, $92.5 million contract with the Blue Jays. The white 25 on the back of a blue jersey didn’t fit the images created over his eight seasons in Baltimore, and he added to the weirdness

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – CJ Abrams is back in the Nationals lineup, with no apparent lingering concerns after departing Wednesday’s game in the first inning. Abrams is leading off and starting at shortstop for this afternoon’s game against the Rays, the first leg of a rare overnight spring training trip for the Nats, who brought most of their regular

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – Hello from the Gulf Coast of Florida, the opposite side of the state from where you usually hear from us. The Nationals are making a rare overnight spring training trip, with back-to-back games against the Rays here in Port Charlotte and then the Braves in nearby North Port. Most of the regulars have made the trip and will pl