VIERA, Fla. - For his 37th birthday, Mark DeRosa got an unusual present: an opportunity to face hard-throwing right-hander Stephen Strasburg during the first session of live batting practice at Nationals spring training. Working in a hitting group with Rick Ankiel and Roger Bernadina, DeRosa was the only person to get a ball cleanly out of the infield, grounding a changeup in the hole between first and second. Other than that, only Ankiel made contact during Strasburg's 10 minutes on the...

VIERA, Fla. - Stability and security meant more to Ryan Zimmerman than dollars and cents, so when the third baseman and the Nationals were hammering out what turned out to be a six-year extension to his current contract, the only stumbling block was something that's usually a deal-breaker for general manager Mike Rizzo: a no-trade clause. As Rizzo negotiated with Zimmerman's agent, Brodie Van Wagenen, last week, as talks stretched into the weekend, past the Saturday morning deadline...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles pitcher Tsuyoshi Wada mostly downplayed the condition of his left elbow, saying, "This is something that's not even on a level I would consider reporting in Japan." "It's a discomfort that I feel about every year and I just thought I would say something about it right off the top," Wada said through interpreter Danny MacLeith. "It comes about this time every year. Usually, I have no problem if I take two or three days off and then play catch." Wada felt the...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Here are a few more items from today's workout. Later, I'll post comments from pitcher Tsuyoshi Wada, who's meeting with reporters at 2:30 p.m. Double-A Bowie catcher

SARASOTA, Fla. - Japanese pitcher Tsuyoshi Wada had fluid removed from his left elbow today and he received a cortisone injection. The Orioles will know more about his condition on Tuesday. Wada apparently develops inflammation in the elbow every year around this time, so there doesn't seem to be much concern. X-rays taken today didn't reveal anything new beyond the swelling. No structural damage. "We'll let it quiet down and get him back on the mound," manager Buck Showalter said....

SARASOTA. Fla. - Following up on my earlier tweet, pitcher Tsuyoshi Wada isn't participating in today's workout. Wada reported to the facility, but apparently is dealing with some sort of an injury. Manager Buck Showalter will provide more information after the workout. Jim Johnson threw his first bullpen session at 9 a.m., and Showalter said it "went great." Zach Britton threw off flat ground again, long-tossing and simulating his delivery. Brian Roberts stretched and played catch,...

VIERA, Fla. - As news of Ryan Zimmerman's long-awaited, long-term extension with the Nationals passed through the Space Coast Stadium clubhouse Sunday morning, the third baseman's teammates spoke of how much Zimmerman deserved the security afforded by the deal, which could keep him in a Washington uniform through 2020. "I think that's great. I think it's showing that the Nationals, the Lerner family is trying to bring a winning ballclub here to D.C. for a long time," said left fielder...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Reliever Jason Berken said his sore left hamstring is "definitely feeling better," but he'll go at least one more day without throwing. Berken continues to receive treatment on the hamstring, which he strained while running sprints toward the end of Thursday's workout. "There's definite improvement," he said. "The stability is better. Walking feels more normal." Berken is competing for a bullpen spot. He has an option remaining. Pedro Strop is out of options, so...

VIERA, Fla. - Ryan Zimmerman entered the Nationals' clubhouse at Space Coast Stadium around 8:10 a.m. Sunday and tried to get to his locker without any fanfare. Fat chance. He almost made it to his stall in the far corner next to the showers. But a few yards away, he was intercepted by teammate MIchael Morse, who offered a congratulatory high five to celebrate the third baseman's new long-term extension with the Nationals. Terms and length of the contract are unknown, and Zimmerman said...

VIERA, Fla. - Third baseman Ryan Zimmerman this morning agreed to a long-term extension with the Nationals, according to a baseball source. Terms and length of the deal are not yet known. Check back for more details as they become available.