Source: Harper could be back on field within a week
Source: Harper could be back on field within a week
Byron Kerr
Nationals
Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo reported Tuesday on the status of Nationals outfield prospect Bryce Harper, who injured his ankle Monday running the bases. The diagnosis was a "medium" left ankle sprain. The return date was unclear and Harper has been listed as day-to-day. A minor league official with knowledge of the situation is more specific about Harper's possible return, saying the Nats' top prospect is, "doing okay and should be back in four or five days." That update...
Quick note on Britton (updated twice)
Quick note on Britton (updated twice)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - Left-hander Zach Britton has extended his scoreless-innings streak to 11 today by blanking the Yankees over the first two. He allowed back-to-back singles in the second inning, one off a broken bat, but retired the next two batters on ground balls. Britton's fastball is registering 96 mph on the stadium gun. Not sure how accurate it is, but that's what it says on the scoreboard. You can tack on five more scoreless innings for Britton if you include a minor league game,...
Gregg and Uehara pitch at Twins Lakes
Gregg and Uehara pitch at Twins Lakes
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - Kevin Gregg faced five batters today in a minor league game at Twin Lakes Park. He allowed two hits struck out two and hit a batter. He threw 23 pitches, 16 for strikes. "I felt good today," Gregg said. "I got my mechanics back to where they need to be." Koji Uehara, pitching in his first game since the Feb. 28 opener in Bradenton, threw 11 of his 12 pitches for strikes and fanned one in one inning. "Physically, I felt real good. The elbow felt good," he said through...
Pregame Showalter
Pregame Showalter
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter wrote out two lineups for today's game - one with Derrek Lee and one without him. He decided to list Vladimir Guerrero as the designated hitter and bring Lee off the bench. Lee continues to receive treatment on his left foot after fouling a ball off it during Sunday's game against the Phillies. "I didn't want to put him on the field with that today," Showalter said. "It feels good. He'd play during the season if he had to, but I didn't...
Updating Duchscherer and Harris
Updating Duchscherer and Harris
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - It's a scorcher here today at Ed Smith Stadium. I'm looking for the sunscreen vendor. The Orioles don't need a fifth starter until April 10, which has become a target date for Justin Duchscherer. Duchscherer has pitched in only one game this spring, totaling two innings in Clearwater, because of stiffness in his left hip. He threw from 120 feet again today and is scheduled for a bullpen session tomorrow. "Everything's good," he said. "It's more flexibility than...
Washington Nationals Join Civic, Community Organizations to Build Miracle Field
Washington Nationals Join Civic, Community Organizations to Build Miracle Field
Pete Kerzel
Nationals
The Washington Nationals, in association with the Washington Nationals Dream Foundation and The Annette M. and Theodore N. Lerner Family Foundation, today announced their partnership with the Miracle League of Montgomery County, the Kiwanis Club of Bethesda, the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC)'s Montgomery Parks Department, and the Montgomery County Recreation Department to construct the Washington Nationals Miracle Field in Germantown, Maryland. "This...
Lee will come off bench today (updated)
Lee will come off bench today (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - Derrek Lee isn't in today's lineup, but we're told that he'll replace Vladimir Guerrero as the designated hitter later in the game For the Orioles: Brian Roberts 2B Nick Markakis RF Matt Wieters C Vladimir Guerrero DH Luke Scott LF Adam Jones CF Mark Reynolds 3B J.J Hardy SS Jake Fox 1B Zach Britton LHP Update: Justin Duchscherer threw off flat ground again today and is scheduled for a bullpen session tomorrow. He's aiming to pitch on April 10, when the Orioles need...
Nationals invite fans to opening day weekend
Nationals invite fans to opening day weekend
Pete Kerzel
Nationals
The Washington Nationals invite fans back to Nationals Park to celebrate baseball's return to the Nation's Capital during Opening Weekend on April 2 and 3 as the team faces the Atlanta Braves. Tickets for Opening Day on March 31 at 1:05pm are in very short supply and anticipated to sell out fast. However, fans who are unable to attend the first game of 2011 will still have the opportunity to help usher in the new season of Nationals baseball. There is no better way to celebrate the start of...
Lee unsure about today (with Yankees lineup)
Lee unsure about today (with Yankees lineup)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - Manager Buck Showalter will wait to determine first baseman Derrek Lee's status before posting today's lineup. Lee is hoping to play against the Yankees at Ed Smith Stadium, but he'll do some running first to test his left foot. He'll aim for tomorrow if he's still experiencing some discomfort. Lee fouled a ball off his foot Sunday on the first pitch he saw from Cole Hamels in his first exhibition game. "It's feeling good," he said. "I'll test it out today and...
In search of a 20-game winner
In search of a 20-game winner
Steve Melewski
Orioles
I am not necessarily looking to confuse my readers, but now that I wrote in yesterday's blog that a starting pitcher's win total is no way to tell us if that pitcher is any good, let's talk about wins. I'm wondering where all the 20-game winners have gone? The Orioles haven't had one since Mike Boddicker went 20-11 in 1984. From 1968 through 1980, the O's had at least one 20-game winner every year. In 1971, they had four 20-game winners in Jim Palmer, Pat Dobson, Mike Cuellar and Dave...