Morse, Desmond missing from Nationals lineup

Morse, Desmond missing from Nationals lineup
PHILADELPHIA - There's no Michael Morse or Ian Desmond in the Nationals lineup against the Phillies tonight. Here's the batting order that will face Roy Halladay at 7:05 p.m.: 2B Steve Lombardozzi CF Bryce Harper 3B Ryan Zimmerman 1B Adam LaRoche RF Jayson Werth LF Roger Bernadina SS Danny Espinosa C Kurt Suzuki P Gio Gonzalez Morse, who was removed from last night's game after being struck by a pitch in the first inning, reports that the swelling has gone down but that the hand feels...

Suzuki, Desmond both in Nats lineup

Suzuki, Desmond both in Nats lineup
PHILADELPHIA - The Nationals kick off a brief five-game road trip tonight against the Phillies, who come into this three-game set riding a bit of an emotional high after last night's walk-off win over the Reds. The Cincinnati loss puts the Nats three games up on the Reds in the loss column for the best record in baseball. The Nats also got some help from the Giants last night, as the Braves dropped a game out west to push them 6 1/2 games back in the National League East. The Nats will send...

Nats lineup for series finale vs. Braves

Nats lineup for series finale vs. Braves
We've got a battle of promising 26-year-old hurlers in the series finale between the Nationals and Braves. The Nats will take their hacks at right-hander Kris Medlen, who has torn it up for the Braves since moving into the rotation July 31. He's 3-0 in his four starts this season, and hasn't allowed more than one run in any of those four outings. His last time out, Medlen pitched a five-hit, complete-game shutout against the Padres, walking none and striking out six. So yeah, he's kind...

Chipper out of Braves lineup vs. Strasburg

Chipper out of Braves lineup vs. Strasburg
The Nationals won't have to deal with Chipper Jones tonight, as the future Hall of Fame third baseman is out of the Braves lineup. The 40-year-old Jones played all 13 innings last night, but won't be starting against Stephen Strasburg in Game 2 of this big division series. Jones went 1-for-5 with a walk last night. He came into this series with three homers in his past three games. The Nats will face off against left-hander Paul Maholm, who the Braves acquired from the Cubs prior to the...

Previewing the pitching (plus Giolito update and lineups)

Previewing the pitching (plus Giolito update and lineups)
I guess it's fitting that for a series which could play a major role in determining the National League East champion, we'll get three pretty strong pitching matchups. Tonight, Jordan Zimmermann (9-7, 2.38 ERA) and veteran Braves right-hander Tim Hudson (12-4, 3.59 ERA) will kick things off. Zimmermann hasn't faced the Braves yet this season, but he's 2-1 with a 3.09 ERA in three career starts against the boys from Atlanta. It's a small sample size, but only one of seven Braves hitters...

Morse returns to Nationals lineup in finale vs. Giants (with Giants lineup)

Morse returns to Nationals lineup in finale vs. Giants (with Giants lineup)
It's taken a while, but the Nationals have finally posted their lineup for this afternoon's 3:45 p.m. finale at AT&T Park in San Francisco. Michael Morse, who sat out last night's game after jamming his right thumb Monday night, is back in left field. Here's Davey Johnson's batting order against San Francisco's Tim Lincecum: 2B Steve Lombardozzi CF Bryce Harper 3B Ryan Zimmerman 1B Adam LaRoche LF Michael Morse RF Jayson Werth SS Danny Espinosa C Kurt Suzuki P Stephen Strasburg The...

Werth in Nats lineup, Morse not

Werth in Nats lineup, Morse not
Jayson Werth was scratched from yesterday's lineup due to a sore right ankle. He underwent an MRI on the ankle today, but apparently everything checked out just fine. Werth is back in the Nationals lineup for tonight, hitting fourth and playing right field. While Werth will take his hacks against Giants starter Madison Bumgarner, Michael Morse will not. Morse was pulled from yesterday's game in the fifth inning due to a jammed right thumb. Manager Davey Johnson told reporters last night...

Werth getting a day off (with D'backs lineup)

Werth getting a day off (with D'backs lineup)
Jayson Werth has been raking lately. Today, he'll be sitting. Werth is getting a day off today, and Davey Johnson has decided to slot in Tyler Moore in the outfield along with Bryce Harper and Michael Morse. Ross Detwiler is on the mound for the Nationals today, looking to continue his recent run of strong starts. For the Nats: SS Danny Espinosa CF Bryce Harper 3B Ryan Zimmerman RF Michael Morse 1B Adam LaRoche LF Tyler Moore C Kurt Suzuki 2B Steve Lombardozzi P Ross...

Werth returns to Nats lineup (with Astros lineup)

Werth returns to Nats lineup (with Astros lineup)
Outfielder Jayson Werth returns to tonight's lineup after sitting out last night's 12-inning win with tightness in his legs. Kurt Suzuki is also back in the lineup and will catch left-hander Gio Gonzalez as he aims for his 14th victory. Suzuki and Gonzalez were teammates out in Oakland, and the two batterymates will reunite tonight. For the Nats: 2B Steve Lombardozzi CF Bryce Harper 3B Ryan Zimmermann 1B Adam LaRoche LF Michael Morse RF Jasyon Werth SS Danny Espinosa C Kurt Suzuki P...

Nats, Astros lineups for opener in Houston

Nats, Astros lineups for opener in Houston
The Nationals begin a four-game series with the worst team in the majors, the Astros, tonight from Minute Maid Park. Obviously, nothing is guaranteed in this game, but this would seem to be a nice chance for the Nats to rattle off a few wins and put a little more distance between themselves and their National League competition. The Astros have gone just 2-17 in their last 19 games, a stretch which included a 12-game losing streak. They did take one of their three games against the Braves...

Wieters behind the plate again today

Wieters behind the plate again today
NEW YORK - So much for my theory that Taylor Teagarden would catch an early game today. Matt Wieters is behind the plate. His rest will come tomorrow with an open date on the schedule. For the Orioles: Nick Markakis RF J.J. Hardy SS Chris Davis DH Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Wilson Betemit 3B Mark Reynolds 1B Endy Chavez LF Omar Quintanilla 2B Zach Britton LHP For the Yankees: Derek Jeter SS Curtis Granderson CF Nick Swisher DH Robinson Cano 2B Andruw Jones RF Russell Martin...

Thome out of lineup for third straight day with neck spasms

Thome out of lineup for third straight day with neck spasms
The Orioles have posted their lineup for tonight's 7:05 p.m. game against the Yankees, and it doesn't include designated hitter Jim Thome, who is still sidelined with neck spasms. Thome will miss his third straight start. Here's the lineup: Nick Markakis RF J.J. Hardy SS Chris Davis DH Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Lew Ford LF Wilson Betemit 3B Mark Reynolds 1B Omar Quintanilla 2B Miguel Gonzalez RHP

Harper back in Nats lineup (Nats release Nady)

Harper back in Nats lineup (Nats release Nady)
A day after being scratched from the Nationals lineup due to a stomach virus, Bryce Harper is back in there as the Nats try and take three of four from the Brewers. Harper has been battling the virus for the last few days and yesterday marked the first game that he has not appeared in since his promotion to the big leagues. Harper and the Nats will face 26-year-old righty Mark Rogers, who will be making his first major league start since 2010. Rogers got called up from Triple-A to start...

Zimmermann goes home (Espinosa back hitting leadoff)

Zimmermann goes home (Espinosa back hitting leadoff)
Jordan Zimmermann will take the ball tonight for his 21st start of the season. He'll also take the ball in his home state of Wisconsin for the first time in his major league career. The Auburndale, Wisc., native and former star at the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point will face the Brewers tonight as he looks for his eighth win of the season. Zimmermann has been on fire lately, allowing a total of four earned runs over his last six starts. Earlier this week, a reporter asked...

Nationals release Rick Ankiel (with lineups)

Nationals release Rick Ankiel (with lineups)
The Nationals have announced the unconditional release of outfielder Rick Ankiel. The 33-year-old was designated for assignment last week. He cleared waivers, but was unclaimed, and now becomes a free agent. The center fielder was batting .228/.282/.411 on the season for the Nats, with five home runs and 15 RBIs. Meanwhile, the Nats are set to face the Brewers after taking the first game of the four-game set last night 8-2. Sandy Leon will be behind the plate, as Ross Detwiler looks to lead...

Lineups as Nats prepare to face Gallardo, Brewers

Lineups as Nats prepare to face Gallardo, Brewers
The Nationals open a four-game series in Milwaukee tonight by sending Edwin Jackson to the mound for the 19th time this season. Jackson will look to get his record back to the .500 mark. At 5-6, he's the only Nationals starter currently with a losing mark. The Brewers will give the ball to right-hander Yovani Gallardo tonight. The 26-year-old is 8-7 with a 3.73 ERA this season. In six career appearances against the Nats, Gallardo is 3-1 with a 3.90 ERA. Here are the lineups for tonight's...

O's lineup vs. Rays' Shields (Eveland added, Tolleson optioned)

O's lineup vs. Rays' Shields (Eveland added, Tolleson optioned)
Still waiting to see which player - likely a reliever - walks into the Orioles clubhouse and is placed on the roster. In the meantime, here's today's starting lineup against James Shields and the Rays: Nick Markakis RF J.J. Hardy SS Jim Thome DH Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Chris Davis LF Wilson Betemit 3B Mark Reynolds 1B Omar Quintanilla 2B Chris Tillman RHP Update: Dana Eveland has arrived and will be activated before today's game. Update: The Orioles have selected Eveland's...

Today's Nats-Mets lineups

Today's Nats-Mets lineups
FLUSHING, N.Y. - It'll be the 10-win Stephen Strasburg against the one-win Jeremy Hefner at Citi Field today as the Nationals and Mets wrap up a three-game set. Twice this season, the Nats have taken the first two games of a series against the Mets only to drop the finale, failing to record the sweep. Today they'll rely on Strasburg as they try to notch their fifth straight victory. In his only career start at Citi Field coming into today, Strasburg fired six scoreless innings, allowing...

Flores out of lineup for third straight game

Flores out of lineup for third straight game
FLUSHING, N.Y. - The Nationals have posted their lineup for tonight's 7:10 p.m. game against the Mets at Citi Field, and Jesus Flores isn't in it - or behind the plate - for a third straight game. Sandy Leon will catch Jordan Zimmermann tonight. Here are tonight's lineups: For the Nationals: 2B - Steve Lombardozzi RF - Bryce Harper 3B - Ryan Zimmerman LF - Michael Morse 1B - Adam LaRoche SS - Danny Espinosa CF - Roger Bernadina C - Sandy Leon P - Jordan Zimmermann For the Mets: SS -...

Storen to be activated, Ankiel likely designated for assignment

Storen to be activated, Ankiel likely designated for assignment
The lineup card has been posted in the Nationals clubhouse for today's 12:35 p.m. game against the Mets, and right-hander Drew Storen is listed among the available pitchers. That's a signal Storen has been activated from the disabled list following recovery from surgery to remove a bone chip from his right elbow. Outfielder Rick Ankiel is not listed among the bench players. His locker has been cleaned out and his nameplate has been removed. It appears the veteran outfielder has been...