It's been an offseason of change, both for the Nationals and our coverage here at MASNsports.com. For the team itself, there's a slew of new faces in both the lineup and rotation, bringing along with them optimism that the Nationals can crack the postseason for the first time since moving to our nation's capital. On our Web site, that very team poised to make a championship run has a new beat writer. You may have seen him before covering some sport the locals call football, but rest...

There is always concern when the franchise must trade some of its best prospects at certain positions. This offseason, it was pitcher and catcher, and Derek Norris had carried the flag as the best Nationals backstop prospect for what seemed like many years. With his trade to the Oakland A's, does that mean that the depth at catcher has dried up? Not in the least. With so many outstanding catchers still in the system - from Cole Leonida to Adrian Nieto, from David Frietas to Jhonathan Solano...

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Roger Bernadina has a bruised right big toe after fouling a ball off his foot yesterday. The Nationals outfielder tried to play through the pain today, but was pulled from this afternoon's game after two and a half innings when the toe started acting up on him. Bernadina said the toe isn't all that swollen, and manager Davey Johnson expects the 27-year-old back in the lineup on Sunday. Here's what Jordan Zimmermann had to say about today's outing, in which he went five...

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Following the Nationals' 5-1 loss to the Astros this afternoon, a defeat which made the Nationals 0-9-1 in their last 10 spring games, Jordan Zimmermann was asked about the team's recent spring struggles. "Saving the wins," Zimmermann said. The Nats can continue to joke about the losses for now, because these games mean nothing. But it's tough to ignore the way that they've been dropping their ballgames lately. After today's one-run effort, the Nationals have now...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Adam Jones, Nick Markakis and Robert Andino each drove in two runs today, and Zach Phillips retired the side in order in the top of the ninth inning, striking out two, to preserve the Orioles' 6-5 victory over the Red Sox at Ed Smith Stadium. The Red Sox scored twice against Armando Galarraga over two innings before Phillips entered the game. One run off Galarraga was unearned after shortstop Ryan Flaherty committed his third error of the spring on a shallow fly ball to left...

In his first interview since the news came out that he will need season-ending surgery on his ailing right shoulder on April 2, Orioles 2009 top draft pick

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo confirmed Michael Morse had a PRP injection in an attempt to stimulate healing in the left fielder's strained lat, but said he doesn't expect Morse's injury to cause him to miss an extended portion of the regular season. In fact, Rizzo says Morse might even be able to suit up when the Nats open the season against the Cubs on April 5. "I feel good about him opening day, and if not opening day, soon thereafter," Rizzo said. "That's...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Robert Andino's two-out double in the bottom of the fourth inning scored Mark Reynolds, who also doubled, and increased the Orioles' lead to 5-2. The Red Sox loaded the bases with one out in the fifth against Brad Bergesen, but a double play ended the rally. Bergesen tossed three scoreless innings, allowing three hits and walking two. Kevin Gregg has replaced him in the sixth. Jason Hammel left today's game after two innings because his pitch count rose to 59. "A lot...

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - A day after Davey Johnson said he wasn't worried about his team's offensive struggles, his players are pushing things a bit. The Nationals have yet to record a hit through six innings of play against the Astros this afternoon, and have just sent just one over the minimum to the plate. Their lone base runner came in the first, when Danny Espinosa walked with one out. The Astros, on the other hand, are having no trouble putting runs on the board. They've had five guys...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Jason Hammel stuck around for only two innings today, leaving the game with the score tied, 2-2, and his pitch count at 59. Hammel retired the side in order in the first inning, striking out two, but he allowed two runs and three hits in the second, with two walks and two more strikeouts. He needed 39 pitches to get through the inning, and Brad Bergesen replaced him to start the third. Hammel threw 36 strikes among his 59 pitches. In four outings, Hammel has allowed four...