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...

The final 50 games of the Nationals' season are about evaluating young talent. Even more than that, they're about evaluating how young talent handles various situations. Like seeing if some of the club's less experienced hitters can perform in prominent parts of the lineup. We've already seen Victor Robles get an opportunity to bat leadoff again after spending most of the season at the bottom of manager Davey Martinez's batting order. The results have been mixed so far, but Robles did...

Everything was going swimmingly for the Nationals in New York tonight. Until the skies opened in the second inning and left everyone at Citi Field swimming in a deluge. The Nats' series opener against the Mets ultimately had to be suspended in the top of the second inning, the visitors leading 3-1, after a long and ultimately fruitless wait for a major storm system to clear out of the region. It will be resumed from the point of suspension Wednesday at 4:10 p.m., still scheduled to complete...

The promotion of No. 1 prospect Adley Rutschman from Double-A Bowie to Triple-A Norfolk was bound to create more discussion about the wisdom of bringing him to the majors by September versus waiting until 2022. Another 100-loss season creates arguments from both sides. Either it's a good reason to delay it or the exact reason why it should be done, as if there's really nothing to lose besides more games. Rutschman ended the 2019 season with a handful of games at low Single-A Delmarva. He...

The Orioles are on the verge of getting back one of their high-leverage relievers for a beleaguered bullpen. Tyler Wells threw a simulated inning this afternoon and the results were positive for a team that badly needs him. No discomfort in his right wrist and the stuff was crisp. "Came off the mound feeling good," said manager Brandon Hyde. "He looked great. Fastball was there. He threw some really good curveballs and sliders and changeup. So, encouraged how he came off the mound. "We're...

Juan Soto is back in the Nationals lineup, his right knee feeling better five days after he tweaked it running the bases. Soto, who was held out of the lineup for the Nats' entire weekend series in Atlanta, was cleared to return to full-time duties tonight for the opener of a three-game series in New York. "I talked to him; he felt pretty good," manager Davey Martinez said during his pregame Zoom session with reporters. "He felt like he could play today. He went through his routine. He's...

For months, the Nationals found themselves chasing the Mets in the National League East, and because they ultimately weren't able to gain enough ground in the division race, their leaders decided it was time to undergo a mass rebuild. Since then, what's happened to the Mets? They've gone in the tank as well, losing nine of 11 and turning a four-game lead in the NL East into a 2 1/2-game deficit that now sees them trailing both the Phillies and Braves. It's too late for the Nats to take...

Rule 5 reliever Tyler Wells pitched to outfielders Ryan McKenna and DJ Stewart this afternoon at Camden Yards in a live batting practice session. The Orioles are deciding whether Wells is ready to be reinstated from the injured list. Soreness in his right wrist delayed his return after his last mound session. Wells hasn't pitched for the Orioles since July 19 due to tendinitis in the wrist. He's the closer in waiting for a bullpen that needs a trustworthy option for manager Brandon Hyde. The...