WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Automated Balls and Strikes system won’t be used in Major League Baseball during the regular season. But it’s getting a good look during spring training. The Nationals don’t have access to the technology at the CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches. It’s only available at spring training stadiums that house full-season minor le

SARASOTA, Fla. – Orioles manager Brandon Hyde finally could joke about it. The closing of southbound I-75 due to an accident involving two semis that caused a significant hydraulic oil leak. His arrival in the visiting clubhouse at Hammond Stadium about an hour after first pitch. Sunscreen and a look of aggravation on his face. Asked after the game

JUPITER, Fla. – Today’s Grapefruit League matchup between the Nationals and Marlins started off slow. In fact, it started late before it started off slow. After a 23-minute rain delay, the first three innings seemed to drag along with nothing really of note happening. James Wood was playing left field for the first time since dealing with right qua

FORT MYERS, Fla. – The expected 26-man roster for the Orioles on Opening Day is in jeopardy. Manager Brandon Hyde began today’s post-game media session with negative news regarding shortstop Gunnar Henderson and reliever Andrew Kittredge. Henderson is bothered by a “very mild” intercostal strain on his right side. The injury occurred in the first i

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Grayson Rodriguez didn’t make it through the second inning for the second time this spring. Just trust the process. Rodriguez came out of today’s game against the Twins after hitting Austin Martin with one out. He threw 33 pitches, 20 strikes, with a noticeable drop in velocity. The four-seam fastball averaged 93.2 mph, topping o

JUPITER, Fla. – The time has come for James Wood to finally return to the outfield after dealing with right quad tendinitis over the first few weeks of Nationals spring training. Wood will play four or five innings in left field while batting second behind leadoff man CJ Abrams in this afternoon’s game against the Marlins in Jupiter. The big outfie

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Jordan Westburg is young by most standards, celebrating his 26th birthday only last month. However, the soreness in his lower back is making him reconsider. “I’m getting old,” he said this morning with a smile. “Feeling older by the day.” Westburg hasn’t played since the Feb. 22 opener due to spasms in his back. He could return t

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Orioles infielder Jordan Westburg said his lower back is feeling much better and he should return to the lineup by Thursday or Friday. Westburg said he experienced some spasms caused by a soft mattress at his Airbnb. Reliever Andrew Kittredge remains shut down while working to eliminate the inflammation in his left knee. He doesn

JUPITER, Fla. – This afternoon the Nationals will make their first of back-to-back trips to Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium over the next two days. They’ll play the Marlins in their first 15-minute trip up the road from their home in West Palm Beach. We’ve landed on another multiple-starter day as Shinnosuke Ogasawara and Mitchell Parker are both sche

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Early March in spring training brings the anticipation of the first roster cuts. Usually, it’s a group of minor leaguers who have been in major league camp but are running out of opportunities to play as the everyday big leaguers need more reps to get ready for the season. Technically, it is a demotion. But none of the young