Tyler Clippard will continue to be one of the most important parts of the Nationals' bullpen. But manager Davey Johnson wants to make one alteration to the right-hander's job description heading into 2012. "I don't envision him coming into ballgames before the seventh inning," Johnson told reporters in Viera, Fla., this morning before the Nationals hosted a Cardinals split squad. "Last year, I think he had a lot of appearances prior to me getting here early on where there was a fire that...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Reliever Matt Lindstrom threw 30 pitches from a bullpen mound this morning and is tentatively set to pitch Wednesday against the Pirates in Sarasota. Lindstrom said he threw everything, first from a windup to get his rhythm and then the stretch. "I'm not trying to throw 100 percent, obviously, since I haven't been on a mound since four or five days ago," he said. "The ball felt good coming out of my hand. And it's not like I've taken a bunch of days off since...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Manny Machado is on the travel roster today. Manager Buck Showalter just can't quit him. Nolan Reimold is still scheduled to play Tuesday. The swelling on his left cheek has gone down considerably. Chris Tillman was ambushed by reporters this morning after throwing three scoreless innings yesterday against the Red Sox and hitting 95 mph with his fastball. "I enjoyed it. It was fun. It was good to get back out there," he said. "Physically, I felt good. Stuff was good....

SARASOTA, Fla. - Tommy Hunter is scheduled to throw four innings Friday, but the location hasn't been determined. Hunter, who's no longer bothered by lower back soreness, will throw 60-65 pitches against the Twins in Fort Myers or in a minor league game at Twin Lakes Park. The smart money is Twin Lakes. No sense making Hunter travel that far. Hunter threw 42 pitches yesterday in a B game and said he felt good. "The ball was coming out, got a few on their hands," he said. "They weren't...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Jai Miller is starting in center field today for the Orioles, which is a switch. He's been a corner outfielder. Also, Wei-Yin Chen gets the start against the Blue Jays, a decision that manager Buck Showalter confirmed after yesterday's game. And John Hester is behind the plate again today instead of Taylor Teagarden, who's been receiving treatment for lower back stiffness. For the Orioles: Endy Chavez LF Robert Andino 2B Nick Johnson DH Joe Mahoney 1B Jai Miller CF Ryan...

Nationals manager Davey Johnson hasn't been shy about making it known that he's looking for some additional left-handed pop off the bench this season. I wouldn't be surprised if Johnson started renting billboard space around Viera or posting "Help Wanted" signs throughout the Nats' clubhouse. Enter Chad Tracy, a 31-year-old corner infielder who spent last season playing in Japan. Tracy slugged 27 homers with the Diamondbacks in 2005, and then hit 20 more the next season. Since then,...

I think we started to see where Ryan Adams stood with the Orioles last year. He was called up twice from Triple-A Norfolk, but didn't get to start much at second base either time. During yet another losing season, the Orioles called up their own 2006 second-round draft pick but didn't give him much of a chance to show what he could do. Yesterday, Adams was among the first players cut this year by the Orioles and he'll now head to Triple-A Norfolk. Adams is not considered a candidate to be a...

The Orioles today announced eight spring training roster cuts, bringing their spring roster to 49 players. The Orioles optioned infielders Ryan Adams and Josh Bell to Triple-A Norfolk. Right-hander Dylan Bundy has been optioned to Single-A Delmarva. Outfielders Xavier Avery and LJ Hoes, catchers Michael Ohlman and Brian Ward, and right-hander Steve Johnson have been reassigned to minor league camp.

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles made their first round of cuts today, reducing their camp roster by eight players and leaving them with 49. The Orioles optioned infielders Ryan Adams and Josh Bell to Triple-A Norfolk, and pitcher Dylan Bundy to Single-A Delmarva. Also, outfielders Xavier Avery and LJ Hoes, catchers Michael Ohlman and Brian Ward, and pitcher Steve Johnson were reassigned to minor league camp because they're not on the 40-man roster. You're optioned if you're on the 40-man,...

Officially, Gio Gonzalez's four-inning stint against the Cardinals on Sunday afternoon doesn't exist. It was washed away, just like the game itself, after four innings. What happened before, however, left both Gonzalez and Nationals manager Davey Johnson quite pleased. Gonzalez allowed two singles, fanned a pair and had a 1-0 lead when rains swept through Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Fla., before the top of the fifth. As the Nationals packed up to head back to Viera, Fla., Gonzalez told...