The Nationals are going to have a say in the outcome of the National League East race this season. Not because they're likely to climb back into contention after trading away eight veterans for 12 prospects two weeks ago. But because the final two months of this season will see them face the three teams still angling for what could be an ugly division title a bunch, and the outcome of those games is going to have a real impact on how everyone finishes in the standings. Just in the last...

The double play combination of shortstop Richie Martin and second baseman Jorge Mateo resurfaced last night at Camden Yards after a brief interruption. Martin was on the bench for the series opener, but Ramón Urías slid over to third base last night. Getting comfortable with a new middle infielder is a process, but Martin said it's gone smoothly. Not by accident, of course. They take ground balls and throws prior to batting practice. "He's super talented and super athletic and it's...

For the player who is now baseball's No. 1 ranked prospect and seems to always be a marked man, his first day at the minor leagues' highest level produced a strong debut. He had two hits and caught a game in which the opposing team had just one. In Triple-A Norfolk's 4-0 win Tuesday night over Memphis at Harbor Park, catcher Adley Rutschman caught a three-pitcher one-hitter. At bat he went 2-for-4, with an RBI single in his third at-bat and a double in his fourth. Rutschman said he was...

The Orioles are going to adjust their rotation again by early next week. Whenever left-hander Bruce Zimmermann is deemed ready to start again. Zimmermann tossed five hitless innings last night at Triple-A Norfolk in his third injury rehab game and second with the Tides. The Orioles wanted to stretch him out a little more before reinstating him from the injured list. "We're seeing how he recovers today and probably make that decision in the next day or two," said manager Brandon Hyde. Asked...

The Orioles' homestand continues at Camden Yards tonight, and they are looking for their first win during a homestand where they have gone 0-3 versus Tampa Bay and 0-1 against Detroit. O's pitchers have allowed 40 runs in the four games. Overall the Orioles (38-73) have lost six in a row, allowing nine runs or more in each of those games. Last night they became the first team to allow nine or more in six in a row since Kansas City in 2002. The major league record for this is seven games in a...

The Orioles reinstated left-hander Tanner Scott from the injured list this afternoon and optioned southpaw Alexander Wells to Triple-A Norfolk. Scott has recovered from a sprained left knee and convinced the club that he was ready yesterday after a bullpen session. Rule 5 pick Tyler Wells is expected to be reinstated within a day or two after yesterday's simulated inning. Alexander Wells hops back on the shuttle after allowing a run and three hits last night in the ninth inning. He can return...

Looking for more pitchers who can provide innings during the 24 innings of baseball on tap over the next 24 hours, the Nationals promoted left-hander Sean Nolin from Triple-A today, optioning reliever Sam Clay to Rochester in the process. Nolin, 31, is on a big league roster for the first time since 2015, when he started six games for the Athletics. After bouncing between the minor leagues, independent ball and even Japan in the ensuing years, he wound up in the Nationals organization this...

The Washington Nationals selected the contract of left-handed pitcher Sean Nolin and optioned left-handed pitcher Sam Clay to Triple-A Rochester on Wednesday. Additionally, the Nationals transferred right-handed pitcher Stephen Strasburg to the 60-day Injured List. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements. Nolin, 31, joins the Nationals after going 3-3 with a 3.80 ERA in 11 games (nine starts) with Triple-A Rochester. He struck out 52...

It was night when too many streaks continued for the Orioles. They lost their sixth game in a row. They allowed runs in the eighth inning for the sixth consecutive game and they allowed nine or more runs for the sixth straight game. Captain Obvious called to state this was not a good development. The Orioles (38-73) lost the series opener 9-4 to Detroit last night and have been outscored 63-23 during the losing streak. Where once they were 10-6 since the All-Star break, now they are 10-12. On...

The storm clouds rolled in today after the Tigers finished their batting practice rounds, unleashing a torrential downpour that pushed back the first pitch almost two hours. Fans instructed to leave open areas of the ballpark and head for cover due to the severe weather. The Camden Yards drainage system challenged again like a close play on the bases, except the grounds crew always gets it right. The most impressive pitching line in the organization already was complete, with left-hander Bruce...