VIERA, Fla. - Bryce Harper might very well play in the big leagues this season. He just won't do so opening day. The Nationals optioned Harper, their top prospect, to Triple-A Syracuse following today's 11-7 loss to the Tigers, ending Harper's pursuit of a spot on the Nats' 25-man roster for now. Manager Davey Johnson broke the news to Harper following his 1-for-5 performance today. Harper struck out in his first four at-bats, then doubled to center. "He knows how much I love his...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Ryan Flaherty has a nice collection of gloves in his spring training locker, but not because he's a memorabilia nut. Flaherty is making his first start in right field tonight against the New York Yankees. He's also played left field, shortstop, second base and third base. The only thing missing is a catcher's mitt. "I guess if they asked me, I'm sure I could go back there and make it work, but I don't have much experience behind the plate," he said, grinning....

VIERA, Fla. - Right-hander Edwin Jackson obviously wasn't thrilled with his four-inning, four-run, seven-hit, three-walk outing today, but he's not going to get too hung up on the numbers. "Results weren't really the greatest, but I felt pretty good," Jackson said in the Nats' clubhouse a bit ago. "The only thing I come away from (this) working on is just the walks. Everything else I can accept. They had hits, a lot of them on the ground. They had a few hits in the air, but I'll take...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Dave Philley, who played for the Orioles in 1955-56 and 1960-61 as part of an 18-year major league career, died Thursday in his hometown of Paris, Texas. He was 91. Philley was the oldest living former Oriole. Philley set a record with 24 pinch-hits during the 1961 season - an American League record that still stands. Coincidentally, one of Philley's best friends, Eddie Robinson, is now the oldest living ex-Oriole. Robinson, 91, who also hails from Paris, Texas, played four...

VIERA, Fla. - Chad Durbin has come out for the top of the fifth inning, meaning Edwin Jackson's day is done. The results weren't all that pretty for Jackson in his four innings of work, as the Nationals righty allowed four runs on seven hits with three walks and three strikeouts. Ten baserunners in four innings? Probably not what Jackson wanted, although I guess it fits his history. Jackson threw 71 pitches, 41 for strikes. He got through the first two innings without allowing a run and...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Nick Markakis is starting again tonight as the Orioles' designated hitter, giving him back-to-back games for the first time this spring. OK, what position hasn't Ryan Flaherty played? For the Orioles: Endy Chavez LF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis DH Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 3B Ryan Flaherty RF Robert Andino 2B Alfredo Simon RHP For the Yankees: Gardner CF Nunez SS Cano 2B Teixeira 1B Ibanez DH Hall 3B Maxwell RF Wise LF Molina C Nova RHP If...

VIERA, Fla. - Unfortunately for Adam LaRoche, this spring is showing a lot of similarities to last, when he came down with a shoulder injury which just kept hanging around. LaRoche tried to battle through the discomfort, but eventually, he needed season-ending surgery to repair a torn labrum. This year it's a foot injury which is lingering, and LaRoche can just hope that his fate is a little better this time around. "It's scary how much it sounds like last spring training, when it was...

VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals have signed outfielder/first baseman Xavier Nady to a minor league contract, general manager Mike Rizzo confirmed. Nady, a 33-year-old who has spent time with six major league teams, has reported to minor league camp and will start the season at Triple-A Syracuse. It's a straight minor league deal and has no outs. "He's a player I've always had interest in," Rizzo said. "He's coming off a few injury-plagued seasons. He's motivated and he's coming into camp...

VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals take on the Tigers today at Space Coast Stadium, with Edwin Jackson heading to the bump for the Nats. Bryce Harper is back in right field today, while Jayson Werth slides over to center. Here's manager Davey Johnson's lineup for today's game: SS Ian Desmond 2B Danny Espinosa 3B Ryan Zimmerman CF Jayson Werth DH Chad Tracy C Jesus Flores RF Bryce Harper 1B Tyler Moore LF Roger Bernadina Here's a good sign for outfielder Rick Ankiel, who's been battling a...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles have two split-squad games again today. They might be approaching a spring training record. I'm skipping the 1:05 p.m. game against the Braves in Orlando, because the clubhouse at the Ed Smith Stadium complex opens to the media at 2 p.m. Also, the Orioles figure to play most of their "regulars" in the 7:05 p.m. game against the Yankees that airs on MASN. Jason Hammel and Tsuyoshi Wada will pitch against the Braves, who will start left-hander Mike Minor. Alfredo...