FORT MYERS, Fla. - If there's some good news today amid all the players going on the DL and the injury to Roger Bernadina, it's that Danny Espinosa might be starting to click. The Nationals second baseman ripped his second homer in as many days this afternoon, taking one out to center field here at JetBlue Park. After going without a homer or an RBI for his first 21 games of spring training, Espinosa has two big flies in the last 26 hours or so. This one came from the left side, which is...

Dan Klein, the Orioles' third-round draft pick in 2010 out of UCLA and a pitcher the team had high hopes for, will see shoulder specialist Dr. Craig Morgan on April 13. Klein had shoulder surgery last Aug. 16 and had still been experiencing some discomfort at camp at Twin Lakes Park. Klein was able to do some light throwing during camp, but when he extended the distance and velocity he began to feel the discomfort, according to a club official. Dr. Morgan is the same doctor that recently...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are breaking out most of their regulars for tonight's game against Florida Southern, but they'll lean heavily on their bullpen to cover nine innings. For the Orioles: Nolan Reimold LF Nick Markakis DH J.J. Hardy SS Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 3B Chris Davis 1B Robert Andino 2B Ryan Flaherty RF Jim Johnson RHP Johnson will go one inning. Troy Patton will follow him and go two innings. Don't read too much into it. The Orioles aren't changing...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are preparing for tonight's game against Florida Southern at Ed Smith Stadium, and I'm guessing that we'll have a lot of first-pitch swinging. Alfredo Simon won't be part of it. He's already left the complex carrying his equipment bag, still uncertain where he'll be unpacking it. The Orioles placed Simon on waivers Friday, so it shouldn't be much longer before the right-hander learns his fate. "I don't know nothing yet," he said. "I'm thinking maybe...

FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Nationals cannot catch a break. Already without their projected starting left fielder and center fielder, both of whom will start the season on the disabled list, the Nationals will have to play the rest of today's spring training finale without Roger Bernadina, who was expected to start in center field on opening day. Bernadina has been pulled from today's game after being hit on the leg by an errant Aaron Cook pickoff throw. The Nats outfielder jogged into second...

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Now that the Nationals have announced they will officially place four guys on the disabled list to start the season, the team's opening day roster is very close to being finalized. At this point, the position players are all set, manager Davey Johnson confirmed. The 13 position players that remain in the Nats' big league camp will make the 25-man roster. Wilson Ramos and Jesus Flores will be the catchers. Your infielders will be: Adam LaRoche, Danny Espinosa, Ian...

FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Nationals will be without their projected cleanup hitter/left fielder, closer, starting center fielder and fifth starter to begin the season. Manager Davey Johnson said today that Michael Morse, Drew Storen, Rick Ankiel and Chien-Ming Wang will all start the season on the disabled list. Morse (strained lat) and Ankiel (quad) will work out the with the team these next couple days but will begin the season on a rehab assignment, likely with Double-A Harrisburg, Johnson...

FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Nationals released Jason Michaels on Thursday. Now the veteran outfielder is back with the organization. The Nats announced today that they've agreed to terms on a minor league contract with Michaels, who will report to Triple-A Syracuse. Michaels hit .220 with one homer and seven RBIs in 41 at-bats with the Nats this spring. The 35-year-old had an opt-out clause in his original minor league deal with the Nats, and after looking around for a major league deal with...

When the Orioles open the 2012 season Friday against the Twins - and begin a season-long celebration of the 20th anniversary of Camden Yards - they'll turn back the clock to 1992 for the ceremonial first pitch. Rick Sutcliffe and Chris Hoiles, who were the pitcher and catcher during the ballpark's debut two decades ago, will reprise their role as battery mates for Friday's festivities. Sutcliffe, you'll remember, threw a five-hit shutout against the Indians on April 6, 1992 in the first...

The Orioles have announced plans for the first game of their 59th season and the 20th anniversary celebration of Oriole Park at Camden Yards - The Ballpark That Forever Changed Baseball. The team will face the Minnesota Twins on Friday, April 6, at 3:05 p.m., 20 years to the day that Camden Yards hosted its first regular season game in 1992. Pregame fun around the Yard To allow fans the opportunity to experience the excitement of opening day, the entire ballpark will open at noon on Friday....