There were terms like UZR (ultimate zone rating) and wOBA (weighted on base average) mentioned today during Buck Showalter's pregame press session with reporters. This will come as welcome news to some readers of this blog. The fans that are into sabermetrics and some of the new statistics in the game are well aware of these terms and what they represent. But Showalter today mentioned that some people that may have been in the game for 30 years may not be up on the terms and stats. They...

Let's hear from manager Buck Showalter on his decision start Nick Johnson at first base and Ronny Paulino as the designated hitter, Tsuyoshi Wada's next starts and eventual role with the Orioles, Jason Hammel's upcoming start and the harsh reception for Kevin Gregg during yesterday's introductions. Showalter is using both catchers tonight, which is risky if Matt Wieters gets hurt. "We've got another one, but it's a secret. Maybe to him, too," Showalter said, chuckling. "No, I want...

At FanFest, Jake Arrieta was saying that having the bone spurs removed from his right elbow last August was going to provide a new-found flexibility and range of motion with his arm. He specifically felt that would most benefit his ability to throw more quality breaking balls. Then he went out on opening day and saw that unfold during his outing. Arrieta threw many quality pitches over seven innings of two-hit shutout ball. But he said he may have thrown some of the best breaking pitches that...

Orioles manager Buck Showalter laid out Tsuyoshi Wada's pitching schedule during his pregame session with the media. Wada will start an extended spring training game Monday against the Twins in Fort Myers and another extended spring game April 14 against the Rays in Port Charlotte. Assuming that Wada's health is good, he'll join one of the affiliates and make a rehab start April 19. Wada is eligible to come off the disabled list Thursday, but it's going to be later. The Orioles want...

CHICAGO - If the Nationals keep this up, they're going to shorten their fans' lifespan by a few years. Not sure if anyone in the D.C. area would mind, however. On Thursday, the Nats came back from a run down in the late innings, tying the game in the eighth and taking the lead in the ninth. Today, yet again, the Nats put together an eighth inning rally against the Cubs bullpen. Washington entered the frame trailing by two, and left the eighth holding a 7-4 lead, thanks to a miraculous...

Brian Roberts, Mark Reynolds and Ryan Flaherty are taking early batting practice. Interesting lineup, with Nick Johnson at first base and Ronny Paulino serving as the designated hitter. For the Orioles: Nolan Reimold LF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 3B Nick Johnson 1B Ronny Paulino DH Robert Andino 2B Tommy Hunter RHP For the Twins: Span CF Carroll SS Mauer C Morneau DH Willingham LF Parmelee 1B Valencia 3B Revere RF Casilla 2B...

CHICAGO - For the second straight game, the Nationals have done very little at the plate through seven innings. And for the second straight game, the Nats will need to get the job done against the Cubs' bullpen in the late frames in order to come away with a win. Adam LaRoche's two-run homer in the fourth is all the Nats have been able to muster against Cubs pitchers Matt Garza and Rafael Dolis, and they trail 4-2 with just six outs left to work with. Jayson Werth has struck out swinging...

CHICAGO - Adam LaRoche has given the Nationals a 2-1 lead here in the fourth inning with a two-run homer off the right-field foul pole. That's one way for LaRoche to put his stinker of an opening day behind him. The homer came on a 2-2 pitch from Cubs starter Matt Garza, who tried to blow a 95 mph fastball past LaRoche on the inner half. LaRoche stayed inside the ball, however, and was able to keep it fair - barely. The blast from LaRoche was his first since April 24 of last season, and is...

Checking in with more notes from Orioles opening day win a few hours before the second game of the season tonight at Camden Yards. * It was 20 years ago yesterday when Rick Sutcliffe pitched a five-hit shutout as the Orioles opened Camden Yards by winning by two runs, 2-0. On Friday, they won by two runs, 4-2 as the pitching staff allowed six hits. * Only 11 players from last year's opening day 25-man roster are on that roster right now. They are Robert Andino, Jake Arrieta, Kevin Gregg,...

CHICAGO - After homering yesterday while on his rehab assignment with Double-A Harrisburg, Nationals outfielder Michael Morse is heading up to New York today to get some treatment on his strained lat. Morse, who was scheduled to have today off, will meet with a specialist and receive treatment and some massage on his lat, according to manager Davey Johnson. Morse will rejoin the Senators tomorrow and is eligible to come off the DL and suit up for the Nationals as early as April 10. Johnson...