SARASOTA, Fla. - Pitcher Zach Britton will be shut down seven to 10 days after receiving an injection in his left shoulder to reduce the inflammation. The good news is Dr. James Andrews didn't find any structural damage in Britton's shoulder, so his diagnosis matches the one coming from the Orioles. But as expected, Britton won't be ready for opening day and figures to begin the season on the disabled list. Britton received a Platelet Rich Plasma injection, which contains several different...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Pitcher Tommy Hunter says he still has a few things to work on before the Orioles break camp. "Maybe throwing strikes, starting off hitters with strikes," he said. "That's probably the first goal." The guy has a great sense of humor. Hunter was making his first appearance in a Grapefruit League game after throwing four innings in a minor league game. He allowed two runs and five hits over five innings. "Back to the big leagues," he said. "I was joking around about...

VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals have a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth, with Jason Michaels' RBI groundout bringing in Ryan Zimmerman for the only run of the game. Ian Desmond has a walk today (his second in as many days) and an error (marking his fourth defensive miscue of the spring). John Lannan's day is done after four innings of work. The lefty didn't allow a run, largely thanks to a stiff wind blowing in, and gave up three hits and a walk. He struck out three and threw 79 pitches, 50...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Making his first appearance in a major league exhibition game, right-hander Tommy Hunter allowed two runs and five hits in five innings, with two walks and two strikeouts. The Orioles and Blue Jays are tied, 2-2, going to the top of the sixth. Hunter threw 74 pitches, 44 for strikes. His fastball was mainly 89-91 mph. It isn't always pretty with Hunter, but manager Buck Showalter likes how he grinds through a start and gives his team a chance to win. The Blue Jays put at...

VIERA, Fla. - We're under way here at Space Coast Stadium, as John Lannan takes the mound to face the Braves. If you've got TV access at the office or happen to be hanging at home, you can catch today's game live on MASN. Lannan is now through two innings, having allowed two hits but no runs. We're scoreless entering the bottom of the second. Despite recent injuries to both left fielder Michael Morse and first baseman Adam LaRoche, the Nationals have said all along that they're not...

SARASOTA, Fla. - It's been a busy day here in camp, and it doesn't figure to quiet down. The Orioles might make cuts before or after today's game. Stay tuned. Also, we're assuming that Dontrelle Willis threw a bullpen session, but he was doing stretching exercises by the time reporters reached the back fields. Manager Buck Showalter hopped in a golf cart and attempted to get over there in time, but he might have been too late. Pitching coach Rick Adair was on the scene. "He's had some...

VIERA, Fla. - Stephen Strasburg has never been to Wrigley Field. Heck, he's never been to Chicago. But the 23-year-old hurler learned this morning that he'll be standing on the mound at Wrigley on April 5, serving as the Nats' opening day starter when the Nationals take on the Cubs. "It's a tremendous honor," Strasburg said in the Nats' dugout a few minutes ago. "But there's still a lot of work to be done, and it's just one game. Hopefully the games will be mattering a lot more at...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Executive vice president Dan Duquette confirmed today new pitcher Dontrelle Willis will make the transition to left-handed specialist, and will likely have to begin the season in the minors. Willis held left-handers to a .127 average with the Reds last season. "The idea is to see if he can be a lockdown left-handed reliever against left-handed hitters," Duquette said. "Our interest in that project is lefties hit .127 off him last year, and three of the last four years...

Let's get you ready for the first month of the season, and if you have the good fortune of seeing the Nationals on the road to begin in Chicago and New York, here is a quick primer. Every time I get an advance schedule for a local team, I always look to see what other sporting events are going on in the four major professional sports and check the live music or comedy schedules to see if they possibly matchup with off-days. I also have to hit the best pizza, wings or hot dog joints available...

The Orioles today announced that they have signed left-handed pitcher Dontrelle Willis to a minor league contract and invited him to major league camp. Willis will report to the Orioles' spring training complex at Ed Smith Stadium today. Willis, 30, was a two-time All-Star and won 22 games in 2005 as a member of the Florida Marlins, finishing second in National League Cy Young Award voting. He was also named NL Rookie of the Year in 2003, winning 14 games and posting a 3.30 ERA in his first...