Josh Land

Ask Matt: It's the fans' turn

May 28, 2014, 1:22pm

There's a few things that have changed since our first edition of Ask Matt. For starters, we've moved from Matt Williams' office to the media room. According to Williams, this move will be permanent if the Nationals start a winning streak tonight. Not that the skipper is superstitious or anything ... On top of the location switch, we have redirected control of the blog to the fans. We asked our followers on Facebook and Twitter to submit their questions, and we collected an interesting...

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Harper, Rendon have ground to make up in NL All-Star balloting

May 28, 2014, 1:15pm

Nationals

Harper, Rendon have ground to make up in NL All-Star balloting

The first update on the National League All-Star voting was released on Wednesday, and two Nationals are in the running for starting gigs on July 15. As voted by fans, Nats second baseman Anthony Rendon and Nats outfielder Bryce Harper are both in the mix on the first ballot, but they have some ground to make up before being pinned as NL starters. Rendon sits in fourth place among NL second basemen with 183,600 votes. He trails the Phillies' Chase Utley (509,390 votes), the Dodgers' Dee...

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Win a trip to watch the Orioles take on the Cubs at Wrigley Field

May 28, 2014, 11:34am

Orioles

Baseball fans, don't forget to look for the Orioles scratch-off from the Maryland Lottery. Sure, there's a chance to win cash instantly and a top prize of $60,000. But you could also win a whole lot more! For instance, how would you like to watch the O's take on the Cubs at Wrigley Field? The Lottery is giving away four trips to see the O's play in Wrigley on Saturday August 23 as part of a three-day, two-night trip for two to Chicago - including airfare, hotel accommodations, a pregame...

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Orioles announce plans for 60th anniversary luncheon on August 8

May 28, 2014, 9:21am

Orioles

The Orioles today announced plans for their 60th Anniversary Luncheon, to be held Friday, August 8 at noon in the Warehouse at Oriole Park. The event is presented by the Oriole Advocates and will honor members of the Orioles Hall of Fame. More than 20 Orioles Hall of Famers are expected to attend the luncheon, including Brooks Robinson, Frank Robinson, Eddie Murray, Rick Dempsey, Jim Gentile, Milt Pappas, Don Buford, Ken Singleton, Mike Boddicker, Doug DeCinces and others. The luncheon will...

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Daniel Clark: Time to make most of offensive resurgence

May 27, 2014, 8:19pm

Orioles

Daniel Clark: Time to make most of offensive resurgence

After an inconsistent start to the season, the Orioles offense really started to step it up a notch over the past 10 days and their American League rivals have been forced to take notice. In their past nine games, dating to May 18, the Orioles produced 137 base runners (101 hits, 30 walks, six hit batsmen) which resulted in 55 runs being scored. This was a significant increase in offensive production from their previous seven games, where a combined total of just 15 runs were scored. The...

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Rachel Levitin: Should Nats experiment with Zimmerman at second?

May 27, 2014, 6:41pm

Nationals

Rachel Levitin: Should Nats experiment with Zimmerman at second?

Tuesday night's rainout that left a game postponed between the Nationals and Miami Marlins gave a lackluster D.C. offense a night off from its recent mediocrity. No matter the combination manager Matt Williams attempts to string together this season, a list of injuries to key pieces of the Nats' offensive puzzle is plaguing this team. June is days away, the starting rotation is down a solid lefty with Gio Gonzalez on the disabled list and there's no set timeline regarding third baseman...

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Zimmerman to take live BP Wednesday (updated)

May 27, 2014, 2:02pm

Nationals

Zimmerman to take live BP Wednesday (updated)

Ryan Zimmerman is continuing toward his return to the Nationals lineup after being placed on the 15-day disabled list with a right thumb fracture on April 13. While there's no clear timeframe yet, the third baseman has felt good and passed the hurdles so far in his progression, according to manager Matt Williams. "Tomorrow, we've set up some early batting practice for him on the field, so that's kind of his first day of really live BP," Williams said. "We'll see how that goes too. All...

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Stuart Wallace: Retooling repertoire has returned Clippard to shutdown form

May 27, 2014, 5:37am

Nationals

Stuart Wallace: Retooling repertoire has returned Clippard to shutdown form

Tyler Clippard's start to the season was about as unceremonious and odious as they come: Through 6 2/3 innings over seven appearances through April 11, the typically steadfast Nationals reliever scuffled through two home runs, a blown save, a 5.40 ERA and a minus-1.18 RE24. This had many shaking their heads in disbelief, calling for his demotion or at least questioning whether four consecutive seasons of at least 70 innings of relief had finally caught up with the hurler. Victims to small...

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Jon Shepherd: An adequate catcher is hard to find

May 26, 2014, 12:37pm

Orioles

Jon Shepherd: An adequate catcher is hard to find

A week ago, it was announced that Matt Wieters had received a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection to help his recovery for his strained right elbow. Without knowing anything about his particular case, as well as reminding you that he has not yet been scheduled for surgery, I suspected that the team would soon be welcoming another catcher because PRPs tend to be a Hail Mary sort of treatment. The concept behind the PRP treatment is that your blood has a variety of components that assist with...

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Andrew Stetka: Viewing Markakis' place in O's history

May 26, 2014, 4:55am

Orioles

Andrew Stetka: Viewing Markakis' place in O's history

One of the big questions the Orioles will have this offseason is what to do with right fielder Nick Markakis. As many are aware, the 30-year-old has a mutual option in his contract which expires at year's end. The six-year deal worth more than $66 million was signed before the 2009 season when Andy MacPhail was the team's president of baseball operations. The team can decline its end of the option and pay a $2 million buyout at the end of the season or pick up the option of $17.5 million. The...

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Opposite dugout: Second-place Fish field one of NL's best offenses, but own majors' worst road record

May 25, 2014, 6:28pm

Nationals

Opposite dugout: Second-place Fish field one of NL's best offenses, but own majors' worst road record

Manager: Mike Redmond, second year Record: 26-25 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: RF Giancarlo Stanton (.307/.398/.599, 14 HR, 12 doubles, 47 RBIs); 1B Garrett Jones (.274/.343/.497, 8 HR, 13 doubles, 25 RBIs); CF Marcell Ozuna (.261/.307/.443, 9 HR, 31 RBIs); RHP Tom Koehler (4-4, 3.10 ERA, 1.16 WHIP) Season series vs. Nats: 1-5, 24 runs scored, 39 runs against Pitching probables May 26: Nathan Eovaldi vs. Tanner Roark, 1:30 p.m., MASN HD May 27: Henderson Alvarez vs. Blake Treinen, 7 p.m.,...

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Opposite dugout: Balanced Brewers take on Orioles for first time in six seasons

May 25, 2014, 6:26pm

Orioles

Manager: Ron Roenicke, fourth year Record: 30-21 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: CF Carlos Gomez (.320/.389/.586, 10 HR, 14 doubles, 26 RBIs); RF Ryan Braun (.308/.343/.554, 7 HR, 20 RBIs); C Jonathan Lucroy (.331/.400/.491, 23 XBH, 21 RBIs); RHP Kyle Lohse (6-1, 2.67 ERA, 1.05 WHIP) Season series vs. O's (2013): Did not play Pitching probables May 26: Kyle Lohse vs. Chris Tillman, 2 p.m., MASN2 HD May 27: Matt Garza vs. Wei-Yin Chen, 8 p.m., MASN2 HD May 28: Yovani Gallardo vs. Bud Norris, 8...

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Orioles acquire C Nick Hundley from San Diego, recall IF Steve Lombardozzi from Triple-A Norfolk

May 24, 2014, 8:31am

Orioles

The Orioles today announced that they have acquired catcher Nick Hundley and cash considerations from the San Diego Padres in exchange for left-hander Troy Patton. The Orioles have also recalled infielder Steve Lombardozzi from Triple-A Norfolk for today's game against Cleveland. Hundley, 30, batted .271 (16-59) with a homer and three RBI in 33 games for the Padres. Over seven seasons with the Padres, Hundley is a career .238 hitter (392-1644) with 47 homers and 195 RBI in 510 games. In 467...

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Orioles recall LHP T.J. McFarland from Triple-A Norfolk, option RHP Preston Guilmet

May 23, 2014, 2:04pm

Orioles

The Orioles today announced that they have recalled left-hander T.J. McFarland from Triple-A Norfolk and optioned right-hander Preston Guilmet to the Tides. McFarland, 24, is making his third stint with the Orioles this season. He has appeared in three games with the Orioles, going 0-0 with a 3.86 ERA (7.0IP, 3ER). McFarland went 0-1 with a 3.75 ERA (24.0IP, 10ER) in five starts this season with the Tides. Guilmet, 26, appeared in three games in relief for the Orioles this season, working...

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Matthew Taylor: 1950s bonus baby Nelson never hit it big

May 23, 2014, 5:46am

Orioles

Matthew Taylor: 1950s bonus baby Nelson never hit it big

He was buried in his Orioles jersey and his obituary read, "He especially loved having a beer or two while watching baseball on TV." Robert "Tex" Nelson is a guy who's worth getting to know more about. I ï¬rst learned about Nelson, who played for the Orioles from 1955 through 1957, thanks to my wife. She sent me a proï¬le of former O's public relations director and current director of Orioles alumni Bill Stetka that ran in The Baltimore Sun last month. I give her ï¬‚owers, she...

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Patrick Reddington: Is A.J. Cole the Nationals' next big thing?

May 23, 2014, 4:53am

Nationals

Two unearned runs scored on a bases-loaded error by Harrisburg Senators third baseman Adrian Sanchez and two more on came in on a two-out RBI double later in the sixth inning of last night's game in Arm and Hammer Park in Trenton, N.J., where the Senators beat the Trenton Thunder 6-4 with a five-run comeback in the top of the ninth inning. A.J. Cole, 22, left his ninth start of the season after 5 2/3 innings with a 1.97 ERA on the year and the Senators down 4-1. But the Matt Skole-led rally in...

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Treinen solid early, Desmond homers to tie game (Nats lose 3-1)

May 22, 2014, 4:18pm

Nationals

Treinen solid early, Desmond homers to tie game (Nats lose 3-1)

Rookie Blake Treinen has been solid thus far in his second major league start, but he did come a little undone in the third inning. Treinen matched Pirates starter Edinson Volquez at the outset, retiring the first eight batters of the game. But he then ran into trouble. Treinen walked Volquez with two outs in the third. Josh Harrison then singled for the Pirates' first hit of the game and Neil Walker walked to load the bases. The Nats right-hander followed by plunking Andrew McCutchen,...

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Notes on Treinen, Jordan, LaRoche's rehab and more

May 22, 2014, 1:26pm

Nationals

Notes on Treinen, Jordan, LaRoche's rehab and more

With Gio Gonzalez on the disabled list, rookie right-hander Blake Treinen gets a chance to show his strong showings over two prior stints with the Nationals this season were no fluke. Treinen, 25, has pitched to a 0.77 ERA over 11 2/3 innings spanning four appearances (one start). In his first major league start on May 6, Treinen allowed no earned runs (three total) on seven hits while striking out two and walking none in five innings. Tonight, he'll look to perhaps top that in Pittsburgh....

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Orioles to host youth baseball clinic this Saturday at Ed Smith Stadium

May 22, 2014, 12:13pm

Orioles

On Saturday, May 24, Orioles players and coaches will conduct a baseball clinic on the main field at Ed Smith Stadium for 50 children from the Roy McBean Boys & Girls Club in Sarasota. Participants will assemble at 12:30 p.m., and on-field activities will begin at 1:00 p.m. with instruction in pitching, hitting, fielding, throwing and baserunning. The Oriole Bird will also be present and refreshments will be provided to all participants. Media covering the event may park in the East Lot at the...

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Nationals recall right-hander Blake Treinen from Syracuse

May 22, 2014, 11:41am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today recalled right-handed pitcher Blake Treinen from Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Treinen, 25, joins the Nationals for his third stint this season. On May 6 at Nationals Park, in the first starting assignment of his career, Treinen suffered the loss in a matchup with Clayton Kershaw despite blanking the Dodgers through 5.0 innings. Thanks to a...