SARASOTA, Fla. - The Phillies scored once off Willie Eyre in the eighth, and Erik Kratz homered off Zach Phillips in the ninth to increase their lead to 4-1. So how did Brian Matusz rate today's performance, when he allowed one run and seven hits, with one walk and three strikeouts, over five innings? "Good," he said. "Being able to go as deep as I could, getting a lot of ground balls, double plays. Defense played great today. J.J. (Hardy) and (Robert) Andino up the middle are phenomenal,...

Lee County, Fla., commissioners voted this morning to enter into negotiations with the Nationals that could lead to the club moving from its current spring training facility following the 2013 Grapefruit League season and relocating from Space Coast Stadium in Viera, Fla., to City of Palms Park across the state in Fort Myers. According to the Naples Daily News, the county's Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to pursue the Nationals, who would join the American League's Minnesota Twins...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Left-hander Brian Matusz wasn't especially sharp today, allowing seven hits and walking his first spring batter over five innings, but the damage was minimal. The Phillies managed only one run, on former Oriole Ty Wigginton's single in the first inning that scored former Oriole Lou Montanez. Matusz was aided by three double plays over the first three innings. Matusz struck out three batters, raising his spring total to 16 over 15 innings. In his last three starts, Matusz...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Zach Britton is convinced that he knows what isn't wrong with his left shoulder. The trick is finding out what's causing the inflammation. Britton hopes to get a definitive answer on Wednesday when he's examined by Dr. James Andrews in Pensacola, Fla. "I just want to get someone else to look at it," he said. "We've done treatment since August on it and some of the same issues keep popping back up, so I want to see what he has to say. Obviously, he's seen thousands of...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles pitcher Zach Britton has scheduled an appointment with renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews on Wednesday in Pensacola, Fla. Britton hasn't pitched since Thursday in a minor league game because of inflammation in his left shoulder. He was scratched from Monday's start at Twin Lakes Park. Orioles orthopedist Dr. John Wilckens has been in contact with Andrews, who will examine Britton's MRI taken on Feb. 8. Britton says there's no tear in his shoulder, and...

VIERA, Fla. - Remember about three hours ago, when I wrote that Davey Johnson was committed to hitting Ian Desmond leadoff and Danny Espinosa in the two-hole? Yeah, toss all that stuff out the window, at least for today. Johnson's lineup for tonight's game against the Mets has an interesting twist, with Steve Lombardozzi playing third base and leading off, followed in the order by Desmond and Espinosa. This particular configuration makes sense, given Lombardozzi's .369 career on-base...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Nick Markakis is making his first start in right field this spring. That's a big step from serving as the designated hitter. For the Orioles: Nolan Reimold LF Nick Johnson DH Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Mark Reynolds 3B Chris Davis 1B Robert Andino 2B Brian Matusz LHP I'll pass along the other pitchers later. For the Phillies: Galvis 2B Montanez LF Pence RF Wigginton 1B Mayberry CF Ruiz C Frandsen 3B Martinez SS Halladay RHP No DH for the...

Bryce Harper and Tyler Moore, the future heart of the Nationals' order, could be side-by-side in the Triple-A outfield for a few games this season. The Nationals want Harper to play a lot of center field while at Triple-A Syracuse. That would give Harper significant experience at all three outfield positions, dating back to March 2011. Updated: A Nationals source said they anticipate Moore will play mostly at first base, but he could see a few games in the outfield. During instructional...

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are having another meeting this morning, this one involving the Major League Baseball Players Association, so the clubhouse is closed to the media until batting practice ends around 11:30 a.m. Jeremy Guthrie used to be the Orioles' rep, but he's gone. We're not sure who has taken his place. Sidney Ponson was the rep for one year. Seriously. I haven't seen a lineup posted, but Brian Matusz will oppose the Phillies' Roy Halladay. And you can bet that most of...

VIERA, Fla. - If you've seen the lineups Davey Johnson has been writing up this spring, you've probably noticed that the Nationals manager has been experimenting with shortstop Ian Desmond as his leadoff hitter and second baseman Danny Espinosa in the two-hole. Three weeks into Grapefruit League games, it's no longer an experiment. It's officially how the top of the lineup will be constructed come opening day. "I'm not auditioning," Johnson said. "I told them the other day, 'You guys...