When a memo calling for representatives to test their baseball knowledge on a new game show was sent out to every major league team, it didn't take long for the Nationals to choose their guy. They needed someone with drive, someone who would compete, and of course, some knowledge on the game of baseball couldn't hurt. Enter Samuel Mondry-Cohen. Mondry-Cohen, the Nationals' baseball operations analyst, was chosen to represent the organization on MLB Network's new game show, "Baseball...

Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg used Twitter on Wednesday to announce he has started throwing his first bullpen sessions of 2012. "Threw first bullpen today felt great just like riding a bike!" Strasburg tweeted. This is positive news for the Nationals that their franchise arm is warming up on schedule for spring training, which begins next month in Viera, Fla. Strasburg returned last season from successful Tommy John ligament replacement surgery in his right elbow and went 1-1...

Yoenis Cespedes belted his first home run last night in the Dominican Winter League, giving him three hits in 24 at-bats with the Aguilas Cibaeñas. You can watch his home run right here, courtesy of Baseball America. Now that the Rangers have invested at least $111.7 million in Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish, who hasn't thrown a single pitch in the majors, they're not considered serious players for Prince Fielder unless his price drops considerably. That puts the Nationals...

New Orioles outfielder Jai Miller has had about two weeks now to adjust to the news which came on Jan. 3. He was traded from Oakland to Baltimore for cash considerations. "When I found out, there was some initial shock," Miller said this week. "But then I was excited. It's always good to be wanted. Now I'm ready to move forward. The Orioles are getting a player that is excited to be in the organization and is ready to go." Miller said he got a call from executive vice president Dan...

The Orioles continue to focus a lot of their energies on the international market, the latest example being the reported signing of New Zealand native Pita Rona. Rona, 17, is a former softball player who switched codes so he could concentrate on baseball. The Orioles apparently scouted him this week and signed him to a "seven-year major league deal," according to this report. The Orioles reportedly will send Rona to their developmental program In Australia. A seven-year major league deal?...

Yu Darvish is a Texas Ranger, agreeing to a six-year deal worth $60 million about 25 minutes ahead of the 5 p.m. Eastern time deadline for the sides to agree on a contract. The Rangers will pay a hefty price - a $51.7 million posting fee to the Nippon Ham Fighters, in addition to the terms of the contract - to secure the Japanese right-hander, while Darvish's signing will allow the rest of the free agent market to return to the business of hammering out deals for players who have been reduced...

Just a friendly word of warning to the next person who sidles up next to Jay Moskowitz at his friendly neighborhood tavern and tries to stump him with a trivia question, with the loser footing the night's bar tab: You run the risk of getting aced by someone whose trivia knowledge has been judged superior by none other an entity than the MLB Network. Moskowitz, who serves as the Orioles' coordinator of baseball information and is entering his sixth season with the club, was chosen as the...

Don't look now, but the Nationals' national profile - at least in the eyes of those people responsible for putting together nationally televised baseball schedules- is on the rise. ESPN released its preliminary 2012 "Sunday Night Baseball" schedule this morning and the slate includes two games involving the Nationals. The Phillies' visit to Nationals Park on Sunday, May 6 will air in prime time, as will the Nats' game at Turner Field in Atlanta on Sunday, May 27. It's possible the...

Clear some space on your bookcases, mantels and computer nooks. You're going to need room to accommodate some new hardware after the Orioles' announcement of their 2012 promotional schedule of giveaways and goodies. As part of the 20th anniversary celebration of Camden Yards, and to commemorate the dedication of statues honoring the club's six members of the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., the Orioles will distribute miniature replicas of the likenesses of Frank Robinson, Brooks...

Series to feature the unveiling of the 6 Hall of Fame sculptures, as well as giveaway of replica sculptures to all fans in attendance The Orioles have scheduled a variety of giveaways and promotions designed to appeal to fans of all ages during the upcoming season, the 20th anniversary of Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The highlight of this year's schedule includes giveaways of replicas of each of the sculptures of the six Hall of Famers who will be honored as part of the Orioles Legends...