Just because it's the All-Star break that doesn't mean teams can't make roster moves and trades this week, although Major League Baseball probably prefers no major moves are made to take attention away from its midsummer showcase of the sport's best players. Commissioner Rob Manfred doesn't have to worry about that because this move won't be headline news as the All-Star Game gets underway later tonight: The Nationals have traded left-hander Kyle Lobstein (who was designated for...

Max Scherzer walked off the mound after a scoreless top of the sixth, his pitch count an even 100, his Nationals holding a two-run lead on a night they were again missing Trea Turner, out with a finger injury, and then lost Kyle Schwarber to an apparent hamstring injury. Upon reaching the dugout steps, he engaged in a brief conversation with Davey Martinez. A series of high-fives and fist bumps then commenced from the rest of the roster and coaching staff to the 36-year-old ace. He did not put...

A Nationals bullpen that already was being stretched thin with the losses of several key late-inning relievers to injury has lost another key late-inning reliever: Tanner Rainey, who today was placed on the 10-day injured list with a stress reaction in his lower right leg. It's a serious blow to a relief corps that has been trying to proceed without the services of Daniel Hudson, Kyle Finnegan and Will Harris and now enters a daunting closing stretch to the first half of the season against...

The cloud of mystery over the Orioles rotation has lifted. Dylan Bundy will start Sunday afternoon against the Diamondbacks in the final home game of the regular season. He told me earlier today that he felt fine, no injury concerns, and was waiting for his start date to become official. Kevin Gausman is being pushed back due to some soreness in his intercostal that cropped up on Tuesday. The Orioles think they caught it in time, but they aren't taking any chances. Bundy would have been pushed...

The Orioles will make another roster move before Monday afternoon's game against the Rays at Tropicana Field. Left-hander Brian Duensing is headed to Baltimore today and will fly with the team to Tampa. He's currently on the 60-day disabled list after undergoing elbow surgery. Duensing had cartilage chips removed from his left elbow in June. He appeared in seven games with the Orioles before the surgery and allowed four runs and nine hits in 6 2/3 innings. Duensing allowed one run in seven...

Nothing much to report this afternoon from Camden Yards. The game will have to provide the storyline. Chris Tillman will throw a bullpen session on Sunday, as reported yesterday. His right shoulder feels good and this is a significant step as he prepares for a Sept. 11 start in Detroit. "I think tomorrow's going to be a big day for me. We'll see how it goes," Tillman said. Having a target date brings some comfort, but "I go day-to-day," Tillman said. "I'm not looking too far ahead. I...

Left-hander Kyle Lobstein cleared waivers and was outrighted today to Triple-A Norfolk. As for tonight's Orioles lineup, Steve Pearce is batting second and playing right field and Nolan Reimold is in left field and batting eighth. Caleb Joseph is behind the plate. For the Orioles Adam Jones CF Steve Pearce RF Manny Machado 3B Mark Trumbo DH Jonathan Schoop 2B Chris Davis 1B J.J. Hardy SS Nolan Reimold LF Caleb Joseph C Kevin Gausman RHP Update: Left-hander Ashur Tolliver has been claimed off...

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette left open the possibility this afternoon that he could make another move before midnight. He's had ongoing talks with several teams, with pitching remaining a priority. In the meantime, he's acquired left-hander Kyle Lobstein from the Pirates and designated the reliever for assignment a few hours later to make room for outfielder Drew Stubbs on the 40-man roster. Stubbs has been claimed off release waivers from the Rangers and will join the...

Orioles manager Buck Showalter said he anticipated at least one more trade to go down later today, perhaps before the first pitch. And according to FOXsports.com, the club has acquired outfielder Drew Stubbs, claimed off release waivers from the Rangers. The Orioles recently made the acquisition official. Executive vice president Dan Duquette has been searching for another outfielder, one who can play center field. Stubbs, 31, has appeared in 39 games between the Braves and Rangers and put...

The Orioles may have found their left-handed specialist in time to include him on the postseason roster if they qualify. Executive vice president Dan Duquette acquired reliever Kyle Lobstein from the Pirates for minor league lefty Zach Phillips. No word yet on how the Orioles envision using him, but the splits suggest that he'd be a good fit in the bullpen. To make room for Lobstein on the 40-man roster, the Orioles have designated Triple-A Norfolk southpaw Ashur Tolliver for...