Fort Lauderdale, Fl. - Wearing a new uniform and pitching against old friends, Daniel Cabrera turned in a performance indicative of his rocky tenure with the Baltimore Orioles.
In five seasons with the Orioles, Cabrera never realized his potential and rarely harnessed a troublesome wild streak. Tired of waiting for a turnaround, Baltimore gave up hope and failed to offer the right-hander a contract during the past offseason.
In his second appearance during a spring training game Friday, the 27-year-old showed that a change of scenery did not necessarily produce unfamiliar results, with a strikeout and flyout in the first inning, followed by back-to-back walks, back-to-back singles and two stolen bases.
But Cabrera's performance also shows why Nationals Manager Manny Acta took a chance on him.
Acta appreciates the good he sees in Cabrera -- and wants more of it, according to The Washington Post.
Cabrera signed a $2.6 million, one-year deal with the Washington Nationals, who handed him a spot in the starting rotation. The Nats lost Friday's game to the Orioles, 6-2.