ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - We can still hear thunder rumbling outside the dome. I'm just relieved the roof hasn't collapsed. Speaking of thunderous echos, the Orioles are taking batting practice while I file this blog entry. Nick Markakis is knocking the paint off a few of the seats in right field. Luke Scott just bounced a ball off the back of the restaurant roof directly below the scoreboard in center field. Manager Buck Showalter said he won't rest any of his regulars during this...

Nationals left-handed pitching prospect Tom Milone got off to a slow start Wednesday, then settled down and had a smooth second and third innings in a Viera, Fla., instrasquad matchup. "The first inning wasn't good. I was leaving balls over the middle of the plate," Milone said. Milone ended up going three innings, allowed four hits, three runs, no walks and struck out three. Milone said he was able to control his pitches better following the rough first frame. "I was locating a lot...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Manager Buck Showalter won't post his opening night lineup until after today's workout, but he told reporters not to expect any surprises. I'd assume that means he's using the same lineup that we saw at the end of the exhibition schedule: Roberts, Markakis, Lee, Guerrero, Scott, Jones, Reynolds, Wieters and Hardy. I'll pass along the official one later. Showalter explained why he chose Chris Tillman over Brad Bergesen for Sunday's start against the Rays. "I...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Brad Bergesen is "a candidate" to start the April 10 game against the Rangers at Camden Yards, according to manager Buck Showalter. Not necessarily the leading candidate. Just a candidate. Showalter is hesitant to name Bergesen the starter until making sure the Orioles aren't rained out Monday for their home-opener against the Tigers. Bergesen talked about being in the bullpen to begin the season. "I had the meeting with Buck and Goose (Mark Connor) yesterday and...

After a long, cold offseason, the 2011 regular season is finally under way. Nationals Park was buzzing early this afternoon as CBS Sports' James Brown stepped to the microphone to introduce the 2011 Nats and kick off the season. For anyone who didn't catch it, here are the player introductions, as well as footage of general manager Mike Rizzo presenting third baseman Ryan Zimmerman with his 2010 Silver Slugger award. James Brown introduces the Nationals' 2011 opening day starting...

Beginning on Thursday, the Nationals launched a "text to give" initiative to support UNICEF's relief efforts after the recent earthquake in Japan. Fans can donate $10 by simply sending a texting JAPAN to 864233. The Nationals will also sell special $10 tickets to both games this weekend and half of the ticket cost will be donated to UNICEF. Fans can purchase those tickets at nationals.com/japanaid. All proceeds will benefit UNICEF's programs to help children recover from the disaster in...

The Nationals have released the list of fan choice bobblehead candidates for the Sept.10 game against the Houston Astros. Options include Adam LaRoche, Ryan Zimmerman, Jordan Zimmermann, Drew Storen and Danny Espinosa. Fans can vote and encourage friends to vote through social networking. Jayson Werth and Ian Desmond will also be honored with bobbleheads in 2011. Last season's fan choice bobblehead winner was Ivan Rodriguez. The winner will be decided April 4, so vote early and vote...

What are the expectations for the Nationals in the eyes of manager Jim Riggleman and general manager Mike Rizzo? Would 75 wins be considered a good season? How about 80 victories? A playoff berth? A winning record? Rizzo was asked if he would be pleased with 80 wins on 106.7 The Fan's Mike Wise Show Thursday, and replied, "It depends on how we reach 80 wins." Rizzo said if the team struggles and then rallies to get to 80 wins he would be pleased. But if the team gets off to a great...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - I drove through the worst rainstorm of my life to get here. Those tornado warnings are no joke. I was gripping the steering wheel so tightly, it's almost bent in half. Good luck with that one, Avis. I was pretty sure a traffic light turned green, but I couldn't move. Visibility was at an all-time low. But at least the water on the streets covered my tires. My GPS told me to turn right, and I yelled, "Where's the right?" I didn't need a GPS. I needed a...

I am not concerned in the least that the Orioles will begin the season with just one left-hander in the bullpen. First of all, pitchers like Mark Hendrickson, Clay Rapada, Troy Patton and Chris George all may start on the Triple-A staff and will be a phone call away if needed. Also, there is this big reason not to be concerned: The stat sheet says it won't be an issue. Of the six right-handed hurlers in the O's pen, all but Koji Uehara have better statistics either recently and/or in their...