The Washington Nationals spent much of the offseason trying to land a top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher, chasing after Cliff Lee, Zack Greinke and others to stabilize a starting staff that was in the lower third in the National League in almost every meaningful category in 2010. But general manager Mike Rizzo had a secondary goal: to strengthen the bench and to add players that would know and understand their roles as part-time players, something the Nats have had trouble with in the...

Here is an update on the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds roster, courtesy of Shorebirds public relations. The Delmarva Shorebirds, the Class-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, are excited to unveil the 2011 "Break Camp Roster" highlighted by Orioles first-round draft pick Manny Machado. The prospect-laden roster features four players among the farm system's top 30 prospects according to Baseball America; Machado (No. 1), Mychal Givens (7), Jonathan Schoop (10) and Trent Mummey (16). The...

Of all the offseason acquisitions made by the Orioles, the one I found most exciting was the trade for shortstop J.J. Hardy. I thought he'd be a good fit for the Orioles back when he played for the Brewers, so picking him up from the Twins for the bargain price of two minor league relievers was, in my opinion, a fantastic move. The only thing that could make the deal better is if Orioles President of Baseball Operations Andy MacPhail takes the next step and extends Hardy before he has the...

My off-day is over and it's back to work. The two entries I filed yesterday, plus calling into "The John Riggins Show" on MASN and Steve Melewski's show on 105.7 The Fan, seemed more like a mini-vacation compared to the spring training and opening day workloads. I swung by Liberatore's to say hello to a few people and pick up cream of crab soup for my daughter - one of her favorites - and received a tab that included $2,700 for "lost revenue." That trip to Sarasota was more costly...

Here's a good question: Will the Orioles' 4-0 start and some of the buzz right now surrounding the club translate into more tickets sold at Camden Yards? For the next two nights, the answer to that question is probably "No." A club official said the Orioles are expecting an attendance the next two nights of "between (the) low to mid-teens." That means between probably 13,000 and 17,000 or 18,000. I'm told a real strong walk-up sale later today could push the attendance to near...

Harrisburg Senators left-hander Cory VanAllen worked hard in the offseason to get ready, and his diligence paid off with a very good spring training. Now, VanAllen is ready to make that next step with the Senators as a relief pitcher. "In the offseason, I trained back home in Houston with a lot of other big leaguers," VanAllen said. "I worked with left-hander Jaime Garcia of the St. Louis Cardinals." VanAllen, who has worked with Garcia for several years, credits the St. Louis southpaw...

Last week, I wrote about the fan experience at NatsFest, but my post had an important error. I mentioned that Bryce Harper easily won a Guitar Hero contest against a fan - information that I later found out was incorrect. In fact, Cody Strakonsky, a 15-year-old first baseman and right fielder from Brunswick, Md., handily beat Harper during their Guitar Hero faceoff at Nationals Park. Competing to the song "Tick Tick Boom," Strakonsky crushed Harper, despite being slightly nervous to meet...

The Orioles have released the following players, some of which may have asked for and received their releases from the minor league system. Pitchers: John Mariotti, Daurin Tavarez, Chad Thall Position Players: David Anderson, Danny Figueroa, Joseph Donaldson, Gary Helmick (Towson University product), Joe Gaetti, Anyi Tejada, Grolmann Gonzalez, Freuny Parra, Austin Rauch, Randy Winn and Jeremy Shelby. Gaetti was in his first year in the organization and is the son of former big leaguer Gary...

Here is info from a Norfolk Tides press release with roster info for the O's Triple-A squad which opens its season on Thursday. Loads of experience and two local products headlined the 2011 Norfolk Tides roster when it was released Tuesday. Virginia Beach's Michael Ballard and Chesapeake's Clay Rapada are both expected to play big roles with their hometown team after being assigned to Norfolk. Ballard is expected to join the rotation while Rapada will see action as a left-handed specialist...

Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail received an encouraging report from head athletic trainer Richie Bancell earlier today concerning pitcher Jeremy Guthrie, who missed the home opener after being diagnosed with a form of pneumonia. "I was told there's no infection, which is good news. Nothing terribly contagious. He's doing better. All of that is a plus," MacPhail said. Guthrie is expected to remain hospitalized overnight, but could be released tomorrow. Brad...