VIERA, Fla. - Remember about three hours ago, when I wrote that Davey Johnson was committed to hitting Ian Desmond leadoff and Danny Espinosa in the two-hole? Yeah, toss all that stuff out the window, at least for today. Johnson's lineup for tonight's game against the Mets has an interesting twist, with Steve Lombardozzi playing third base and leading off, followed in the order by Desmond and Espinosa. This particular configuration makes sense, given Lombardozzi's .369 career on-base...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Nick Markakis is making his first start in right field this spring. That's a big step from serving as the designated hitter. For the Orioles: Nolan Reimold LF Nick Johnson DH Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Mark Reynolds 3B Chris Davis 1B Robert Andino 2B Brian Matusz LHP I'll pass along the other pitchers later. For the Phillies: Galvis 2B Montanez LF Pence RF Wigginton 1B Mayberry CF Ruiz C Frandsen 3B Martinez SS Halladay RHP No DH for the...

Bryce Harper and Tyler Moore, the future heart of the Nationals' order, could be side-by-side in the Triple-A outfield for a few games this season. The Nationals want Harper to play a lot of center field while at Triple-A Syracuse. That would give Harper significant experience at all three outfield positions, dating back to March 2011. Updated: A Nationals source said they anticipate Moore will play mostly at first base, but he could see a few games in the outfield. During instructional...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are having another meeting this morning, this one involving the Major League Baseball Players Association, so the clubhouse is closed to the media until batting practice ends around 11:30 a.m. Jeremy Guthrie used to be the Orioles' rep, but he's gone. We're not sure who has taken his place. Sidney Ponson was the rep for one year. Seriously. I haven't seen a lineup posted, but Brian Matusz will oppose the Phillies' Roy Halladay. And you can bet that most of...

VIERA, Fla. - If you've seen the lineups Davey Johnson has been writing up this spring, you've probably noticed that the Nationals manager has been experimenting with shortstop Ian Desmond as his leadoff hitter and second baseman Danny Espinosa in the two-hole. Three weeks into Grapefruit League games, it's no longer an experiment. It's officially how the top of the lineup will be constructed come opening day. "I'm not auditioning," Johnson said. "I told them the other day, 'You guys...

Maybe this is what Andy MacPhail meant when he said, "Pitching is fragile." Orioles pitchers are eliminating themselves from the pitching competition due to various ailments and injuries - Zach Britton is the latest - and another Orioles pitching staff is getting smaller by attrition. Buck Showalter said opening day jobs on last year's staff went to the "last man standing." This year they may go to the last man able to pitch without injury. These various camp ailments once again must be...

VIERA, Fla. - Oh yeah, Bryce Harper wasn't the only guy cut from the Nationals' big league roster yesterday. The other three haven't gotten quite as much attention, for whatever reason. Not exactly sure why. In addition to Harper, the Nationals also optioned first baseman Tyler Moore and catcher Jhonatan Solano to Triple-A Syracuse yesterday, and reassigned infielder Mark Teahen to minor league camp. It's important to note that just because a player has been optioned to a certain...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Jake Arrieta recorded 16 outs in four innings in today's game against the Minnesota Twins' Single-A team at Twin Lakes Park. He stayed on the mound for two extra outs in the first and third innings to increase his pitch count, which stood at 63 - including 45 strikes - once he was finished. Arrieta gave up two singles in the second inning. His defense committed two errors behind him in the fourth, which also kept him on the mound. His fastball was 94-95 mph. "Today was...

We still don't know what the final course of action will be for Orioles 2009 top draft pick Matt Hobgood and his ailing right shoulder. After seeing an Orioles team doctor last night, the 21-year-old pitcher remains shut down and will soon seek a second opinion. At this point, the Orioles are not recommending surgery for the player the O's selected with the fifth overall pick in the draft. The right-hander saw Orioles orthopedist Dr. John Wilckens in Florida last night and is expected to...

VIERA, Fla. - Today marks the Nationals' only off-day of the Grapefruit League season. Players will get a chance to rest up or hit the beach, manager Davey Johnson will go home and see his wife ... and I'll continue to write about the Nats. Am I a saint for writing even on the off day? No. Well, maybe. But hey, there's a lot to discuss, especially after yesterday's announcement that the Nats optioned outfielder Bryce Harper to Triple-A Syracuse. There will certainly be some who are upset...