VIERA, Fla. - Ross Detwiler sprints from the mound, takes a flip from spring training instructor Mark Grater and applies an tag on an imaginary runner at home plate. Another mundane but important drill completed, Detwiler heads off to his next station, a definitely noticeable spring in his step. And why not? After the way he impressed at the end of last season, the left-hander is expected to head north as part of the 12-man pitching staff manager Davey Johnson will take out of spring training....

Of the countless words used to describe Michael Morse's breakthrough season in 2011 - and a .303 average, 31 homers and 95 RBIs will get you a lot of plaudits, not to mention Most Valuable Player votes - the most unexpected may been uttered by Morse himself. "Last year, to me, was very humbling," Morse said Thursday morning in the Nationals' clubhouse. "It was something I always knew I could do. Now I feel like it's the tip of the iceberg. I feel I have so much more to offer. Now I know...

VIERA, Fla. - Drew Storen was between pitches in his bullpen session Thursday when pitching coach Steve McCatty walked over to him and interrupted his series of tosses to catcher Wilson Ramos. The conversation looked pretty one-sided, with Storen doing all the listening, and McCatty was making a plea that Storen is used to hearing. "He just keeps telling me to slow down," Storen said later. "I kind of ... wrecked my reputation in spring training because I threw about 100 pitches in 10...

VIERA, Fla. - Today should have been Chien-Ming Wang's day to throw a bullpen. Instead, the right-hander got an extra day of rest, a move Nationals manager Davey Johnson said would be repeated early in camp to allow Wang to build up his strength and stamina. "These guys have been around for a little bit, they know what they need to do to get that prepared. ... Since (Wang is) on a little different rest period, I will ... probably have him throw a simulated game for his first start here, or a...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Reliever Jim Johnson threw off a half mound today and will progress to a regular mound on Saturday. Johnson has been receiving treatment for tightness in his lower back, but he appears to be fine. "Everything's good," he said. "I'll be on a full mound Saturday. Riveting stuff." I can appreciate good sarcasm. Zach Britton threw on flat ground again today. "Neither one of them is behind. That's for sure," manager Buck Showalter said of Johnson and Britton. "If...

Outfielder Matt Angle, who was drafted by the Orioles in round seven out of Ohio State in 2007 and made his major league debut last year, is now headed to the Los Angeles Dodgers, an Orioles official confirmed this afternoon. Angle was designated for assignment by the Orioles on Feb. 10 when the club signed Luis Ayala and today he has been claimed by Los Angeles on waivers. In 31 games last year, Angle hit .177 with one homer, seven RBIs, 12 runs and 11 stolen bases in 12 chances. He hit his...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Reliever Jason Berken tweaked his left hamstring today during conditioning drills. Berken had left the facility before reporters returned to the clubhouse and wasn't immediately available for comment. Manager Buck Showalter used the word "tweaked," but added that he wasn't certain of the severity. He was collecting more information from the training staff. "We'll see where that is tomorrow," Showalter said. "I'm not sure if 'tweaked' is the right description yet....

VIERA, Fla. - All present and accounted for. The last two straggers - one with an excused absence, one who probably didn't realize he'd be the last arrival to camp even though he was reporting early - showed up at Space Cost Stadium today, meaning all the Nationals have reported to spring training. Right-hander Henry Rodriguez, whose absence was excused, was by his locker stall bright and early. He had been granted a waiver from the Feb. 19 reporting date to work through a personal issue in...

SARASOTA, Fla. - Position players must report to camp today. Third baseman Josh Bell and outfielder Jai Miller arrived this morning. Outfielder Endy Chavez might be the last player to check into the Ed Smith Stadium complex. I haven't seen Steve Tolleson, but one of the reporters here says that he's pretty sure that he spotted the infielder earlier this week. I'm taking his word for it. Brian Matusz threw his second bullpen session yesterday, and his first outdoors in a more structured...

VIERA, Fla. - Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo said Thursday that he continues to be engaged in talks with Ryan Zimmerman and his representatives in hopes of hammering out a contract extension before the third baseman's Saturday deadline for a deal. "We continue to talk and have discussions," Rizzo said. "His agent (Brodie Van Wagenen) is in town, so that makes it easier." Zimmerman has said that he wants a deal in place by the time full-squad workouts begin Saturday or discussions...