VIERA, Fla. - The Nationals moved their preseason drills from the minor league complex to Space Coast Stadium on Wednesday, but outfielder Jayson Werth was missing when the workout began. Instead, Werth was receiving treatment on his lower back. Werth missed Tuesday's workout with back spasms, according to manager Davey Johnson. While the rest of his teammates dressed in red jerseys and gray pants, Werth lingered in the clubhouse in shorts and a t-shirt. Approached by reporters for an update...

With the Nationals shoring up what could be a very talented pitching staff and the extension given to the "face of the franchise" third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, it's been a pretty good week for the team from South Capitol Street (the loss of No. 6 prospect Sammy Solis to Tommy John surgery, notwithstanding). As recent as 2009, it was difficult to find positive national recognition for what the Washington Nationals were doing, but another indication came down the World Wide Web pike this week...

SARASOTA, Fla. - I had laptop issues my first week here. Now I need a new phone. I can't wait to see what March brings. My Blackberry is on its way out. I couldn't text with half of the keys last night, it kept locking up on me and now the screen is so bright I can barely read it - probably from me smacking it as hard as I could out of frustration. Just a hunch. The clubhouse is closed to the media this morning because the Orioles have some sort of meeting. They'll take the field around...

With as many farm teams and players that there are in the Orioles organization, there will always be some injured minor league players to try and keep track of. Here is a partial list of some pitchers that spent some time injured last year and how they are doing now. I'll update more from the minor leagues as opening day gets closer: * Right-hander Clay Schrader didn't pitch after July 25 last season due to a right elbow flexor mass strain. But he has already reported to minor league camp...

In an era where bullpens are filled with specialists who only want to excel in their own narrow role, Tom Gorzelanny is an anachronistic chameleon. The Nationals left-hander can morph into whatever manager Davey Johnson needs him to be. Long relief? Gorzelanny was once a starting pitcher. Two innings or more? No problem. An out against a tough left-handed batter? He's up for that. "I probably would have been upset about it (early in my career). I would have said, 'I'm a starter and this is...

VIERA, Fla. - Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo confirmed Tuesday afternoon that left-handed pitching prospect Sammy Solis will need Tommy John ligament-reconstruction surgery on his left elbow, and will be sidelined for 12 months. The surgery will be performed in Los Angeles next Tuesday by Dr. Lewis Yocum, the same orthopedic surgeon who performed the procedure on Nationals pitchers Stephen Strasburg and Jordan Zimmermann. The 23-year-old Solis, a second-round pick in the 2010 draft,...

VIERA, Fla. - Good managers think ahead, constructing contingency plans for an emergency. The Nationals' bullpen is a strength, but what would Davey Johnson do if Drew Storen wasn't available to close games for an extended period? Johnson doesn't want to consider that possibility - last July, at the trade deadline, the skipper stumped for the Nationals not to trade Storen - but he knows he's got alternatives. Tyler Clippard, who usually sets Storen up, would be one choice. But maybe not...

SARASOTA, Fla. - So much for another slow day. Yesterday was pretty dead, but there have been nuggets of news today. Let's start with

VIERA, Fla. - Outfielder Jayson Werth took Tuesday off from workouts after reporting to Space Coast Stadium with muscle spasms in his back. "His back was hurting. ... He didn't work out," manager Davey Johnson said. The Nationals have escaped serious injuries thus far through spring training, and Werth's back spasms are the first problem substantial enough to cause a player to miss drills. "It's something I'm not taking any chances with," Johnson said. "I know he worked out a lot in...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Alfredo Simon and Brian Matusz will start the split-squad exhibition openers on March 5. Simon will face the Tampa Bay Rays in Port Charlotte and Matusz will face the Pittsburgh Pirates at Ed Smith Stadium. "Somebody's got to be first," manager Buck Showalter said. "That's probably 80 percent of it." Also, pitching coach Rick Adair clarified left-hander Zach Britton's throwing schedule. Britton will throw bullpen sessions on Friday and Monday. Britton threw off flat...