SARASOTA, Fla. - Wilson Betemit is the latest position player to report early to camp. I still haven't seen Josh Bell, Ryan Adams, Endy Chavez, Jai Miller, Steve Tolleson and Ronny Paulino. Paulino and pitcher Dennys Reyes are having visa issues. Betemit said he's "really excited" to be here, "especially on a new team and seeing some new guys. I know some guys, a couple other guys, from other teams. I want to build a family." Betemit doesn't have a defined role, but he figures to get...

The Nationals have released the roster for their accelerated camp and it is a who's-who of the top talent and depth in the system as the franchise heads in to 2012. The accelerated development camp is an outstanding opportunity for the top prospects to begin spring training at the same time the major leaguers get started with the Nationals' best coaches putting them through their paces and preparing them for the season. Here is the roster: Pitchers (26) Right-handed pitchers: Dixon...

Under Major League Baseball's new collective bargaining agreement all teams will be allotted a certain amount by MLB in a bonus pool to sign its top 10 round picks, starting with the 2012 First-Year Player Draft. The amount of the pool total depends both on how high the team picks in the first round of the draft and how many selections a club has in the top 10 rounds. Baseball America released a list today of the bonus pool money allotted each club. Here is the list published today by BA....

VIERA, Fla. - Nationals pitchers and catchers will work out for the first time this morning, and manger Davey Johnson will put into motion his plan to find enough innings to make sure all of his starting pitchers are ready for the 2012 season. It won't be easy. Quite frankly, the math doesn't work in Johnson's favor. He's got 10 pitchers in camp who have started a game in the bigs in the past two seasons, and only five spots in the rotation. Figuring that his rotation will consist of lefty...

VIERA, Fla. - The swing is free and easy, and Adam LaRoche hopes that he can soon throw with more strength. The Nationals first baseman can finally cut loose a throw without worrying that lingering soreness would inhibit his movement for a couple of days or more. Having his left shoulder surgically repaired in June turned out to be the right course of action for the 32-year-old LaRoche, who signed a two-year, $16 million deal with Washington last offseason and lasted only 43 games, with a .172...

SARASOTA, Fla. - First baseman Chris Davis is out of options, but not out of chances to establish himself in the majors. He's getting another one in 2012. It's time to make the most of it. "For me, it feels like the first time in a couple years that I'm going to actually be given a shot to play every day in the big leagues," he said. "The last couple of springs (with the Rangers), I knew I was going to have to come in and compete just for a chance to break with the team. It feels good...

VIERA, Fla. - Not so long ago, the Nationals would report to Space Coast Stadium for spring training with more question marks than sure things. The collection of journeymen, hangers-on, hopeful youngsters, guys who had flamed out elsewhere and a few legitimate talents would go through workouts and play games; the front office and manager would try to piece together a 25-man roster that could last the season. Suffice it to say Davey Johnson's job this spring will be much easier. "I'd say...

VIERA, Fla. - If there's a tagline attached to Bryce Harper's second major league spring training, it's this: D.C. or bust. The Nationals' top prospect arrived at Space Coast Stadium on Monday, still tiptoeing between cockiness and confidence, yet still sure that he can break camp with the Nats and contribute at the major league level as a 19-year-old. "They're going to make their decisions and I'm going to come here and play. ... I think that's the biggest thing," Harper said. "If...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Six more pitchers need to be tested Tuesday on director of pitching development Rick Peterson's biomechanical analysis. I think you should pass the test if you can repeat that sentence without stumbling. Asked about Zach Britton's progression, manager Buck Showalter said, "So far, so good. It's kind of like trying to keep in mind where the finish line is. The only thing we try to do is slow him down a little bit." More from Showalter: On Andino: "I'm real proud of...

Opening day is always a celebration of sorts in Baltimore, as fans pack Camden Yards and revel in another season getting underway. But as has been the case the last 21 years, you have the opportunity to celebrate opening day with Orioles fans right outside the park even before the party inside Oriole Park begins. The Babe Ruth Birthplace Foundation is hosting their annual "Opening Day Block Party" again this season, complete with food, drink and plenty of O's fun. The event will be held...