The Nationals' bullpen continues to take shape with the signing last week of reliever Brad Lidge. The veteran of the Phillies and Astros is a two-time All-Star and could go very far in shoring up the back half of the bullpen, securing the seventh, eighth and ninth frames. Nationals pitching coach Steve McCatty said last week that he could envision Lidge as a guy who could finish off the seventh inning, or maybe go a full eighth inning and give way to Drew Storen. Or better yet, McCatty said...

When the Nationals arrive at Space Coast Stadium in a few weeks, it will be without the usual uncertainty that has accompanied the team to Viera, Fla., in past spring trainings. Up and down the roster, there are more sure things than question marks. Rotation? So many legitimate starting pitchers that either Ross Detwiler or John Lannan will likely end up in long relief. Bullpen? So many arms that someone like Ryan Mattheus or Henry Rodguez could be squeezed out. Starting lineup? Pretty solid,...

If Dan Duquette is to make some actual lasting changes for the better for the Orioles' organization, some of it will likely begin to happen at the minor league level this year. Upgrading the Orioles' player development and farm system is vital as the club tries to finally get better after 14 losing seasons. There are plenty of interesting angles and story lines to follow in the minor leagues this year. Over the next several weeks, I'll look to report on and address a few. Here are some to...

Following up on a tweet from yesterday, I was told that Brooks Robinson remains hospitalized in Hollywood Fla., after falling off a stage Friday night and sustaining two fractures in his rear shoulder area, including a broken clavicle. Robinson is resting comfortably. Well, as comfortably as you can rest with two fractures. Here's another look at the Orioles' spring training invites: Pitchers: Armando Galarraga, Pat Neshek, Ryan Edell, Dennys Reyes, Willie Eyre, Steve Johnson, Jon Link,...

The Orioles finally reached agreement on a minor league contract with right-hander Armando Galarraga, who's listed among nine pitchers invited to camp in a few weeks. Pitcher Pat Neshek and catcher Ronny Paulino also signed minor league deals with the Orioles and will report to Ed Smith Stadium. Other invites include left-handers Ryan Edell and Dennys Reyes, right-handers Willie Eyre, Steve Johnson, Jon Link, Miguel Socolovich and Oscar Villarreal, catchers John Hester and Brian Ward,...

The Orioles today announced that they have signed left-handed pitcher Srong-Min Kim from South Korea to a minor league contract. Born April 26, 1994, Kim is a 5-foot, 11-inch, 180-pound left-hander that throws a fastball, curveball, change up, and slider. He had been pitching for the 18 and under South Korean national team. "We are glad to sign a player that our scouts feel is one of the top amateur left-handed pitchers in South Korea," said Orioles Executive Vice President of Baseball...

The Orioles today announced that they have signed and invited 14 non-roster players to their major league spring training camp, nine of whom have previous major league experience. Pitchers invited to camp include: Left-handed pitchers Ryan Edell and Dennys Reyes and right-handed pitchers Willie Eyre, Armando Galarraga, Steve Johnson, Jon Link, Pat Neshek, Miguel Socolovich and Oscar Villareal. Position players invited include: Catchers John Hester, Ronny Paulino and Brian Ward; outfielder...

Outfielder Bryce Harper is currently at agent Scott Boras' training facility in Irvine, Calif., attending the strength and conditioning program alongside other Boras clients. He arrived at the facility last week and is expected to remain there into early February. Nationals director of player development Doug Harris said the team approved of the training. "It is a great facility and it is a good opportunity for him," Harris said. "We have guidelines that we give our players as far as...

I'm hitting the road this morning after a nice two-day stop in Ocean Pines. The laptop didn't stay off for as long as I intended, but I definitely reduced the amount of hours spent in front of it. I consider it progress. Maybe the Orioles will swing a trade while I'm driving home. They tend to make news at inconvenient times for me, and traveling on the Bay Bridge when it happened would be pretty inconvenient. It's tough to find a spot to pull over. It seems apparent that executive vice...

He is a submarine-style, right-handed relief pitcher and, if he reclaims the form he showed during an outstanding 2010 season with Texas, he could be a key piece to the 2012 Orioles bullpen. The O's claimed 29-year-old pitcher Darren O'Day off waivers from Texas in November and now he wants to put last year, when he had surgery and missed a large part of the season, behind him. O'Day went 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA in just 16 2/3 innings with the Rangers last year and also spent some time in the...