Some comments from Nationals manager Davey Johnson to reporters after his split squad beat the Mets 8-2 this afternoon in Viera, Fla.: On winner Chien-Ming Wang's first start: "I was really impressed with Chien-Ming. The ball was really coming out of his hand free and easy. ... I could tell from the get-go he was around 90 or above (with) great life and great movement. His command I'm sure wasn't what he wanted it, but he was awful close." On whether Wang has completed his comeback from...

Chien-Ming Wang went two innings, gave up two runs and struck out two as the Nationals beat the Mets 8-2 in one half of Saturday's split-squad games. Wang was followed by right-hander Craig Stammen, who was able to shut down the Mets for three innings. The pitching was just one strong part in the Nationals' win. Led by Ryan Zimmerman and Adam LaRoche, the offense was able to knock around Mets' starter R.A. Dickey for five runs and eight hits in three innings. Zimmerman drove in two runs...

CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Orioles blanked another opponent today, getting four scoreless innings from Brian Matusz, three from Alfredo Simon and one each from Oscar Villarreal and Miguel Socolovich in a 1-0 victory over the Phillies. Matusz's fastball was clocked anywhere from 87 mph to 94 mph. He made huge strides from his initial outing in terms of command. "He threw well today," manager Buck Showalter said. "I'd say if the highlight of camp was (Nolan) Reimold's jaw not being broken,...

For some veterans, facing a knuckleballer right out of the chute after an extended injury absence would be a recipe for disaster. Suffice it to say Nationals first baseman Adam LaRoche isn't most veterans. LaRoche, who had been sidelined by left shoulder soreness and a mild left ankle sprain, made his first Grapefruit League appearance Saturday as part of a Nationals split squad that faced the Mets at Space Coast Stadium. In his first at-bat, he hit an RBI single off knuckleball specialist...

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Many scouts had Brian Matusz's fastball in the 90-91 mph range today, but at least one scout clocked him at 93-94 mph. I guess it depends on the gun. "I didn't know that," he said, his eyes widening and a smile creasing his face. "I felt like it was coming out pretty good. I wasn't sure exactly how hard it was, but it felt like it was coming out effortlessly. Nice explosion." Matusz shut out the Phillies on three hits over four innings, with no walks and four...

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Brian Matusz turned in an impressive outing today against the Phillies, blanking them on three hits over four innings and striking out four batters - including Jim Thome and Hunter Pence to end the fourth. We assumed that Matusz was done after three innings and 37 pitches, including 25 for strikes, but he returned for the bottom of the fourth. Didn't see that coming. The hardest-hit balls came from Thome on a long fly to right-center field in the second and Shane Victorino...

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Manager Buck Showalter told reporters that Nolan Reimold has a dentist appointment Monday and could return to the lineup Tuesday. Showalter contemplated putting Reimold in the lineup for Sunday's B game, but decided against it. He won't take Reimold to Dunedin on Monday. Life is a little crazy for Reimold right now. His wife is due with their second child next week. Catcher Ronny Paulino passed his physical this morning and worked out at the Ed Smith Stadium complex....

First baseman Adam LaRoche will make his long-awaited Grapefruit League debut today in the home side of a split-squad game against the Mets. However, Nationals manager Davey Johnson had to tinker with his lineup a little due to the unavailability of outfielder Rick Ankiel. Ankiel is out today with a tight hamstring, and will be replaced in center field by Brett Carroll. Jason Michaels, who was supposed to DH today, will instead play left field, where Carroll originally was in the lineup posted...

The names of the Nationals front-line pitchers in 2012 spring training certainly grab your attention: guys like Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmermann, Gio Gonzalez, Edwin Jackson, Chien Ming-Wang, John Lannan, Tyler Clippard and Drew Storen. Then there are what I like to call the glue guys. The pitchers that may not get the big headlines, but will be crucial to the overall success of this staff and key to the pennant run the Nationals hope to realize this season: guys like Ross Detwiler, Sean...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Nolan Reimold has so much swelling on the left side of his face, it looks like he stuffed a grapefruit in his jaw or went 12 rounds with Mike Tyson. Reimold is fine besides the swelling and a chipped tooth in the back of his mouth. The Alex Cobb fastball that drilled him in the face yesterday didn't break any bones. And much to Reimold's relief, he didn't lose any teeth, which seemed to be his primary concern. "I feel pretty good besides being swollen up," he said....