Would you believe me if I told you this morning that the Nationals would have a very good chance to sweep the Phillies in today's doubleheader after a COVID-19 outbreak in the visitors' clubhouse, trade rumors heating up about Washington's first starting pitching, an ominous forecast all day in Philadelphia and blowing a 7-0 lead in the second game? Well, they did have a chance, but that's not what happened after the Nats followed up a strong win in the first game with a complete collapse...

As the Orioles begin a two-city, seven-game road trip tonight, left-hander Alexander Wells (1-0, 4.35 ERA) will make his fourth major league appearance and his second start. The 24-year-old Wells faces Detroit in the opener of a three-game series. Wells is pitching on seven days rest after getting his first start last Wednesday on the road against Tampa Bay. He pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing five hits and three runs with two walks and seven strikeouts on 93 pitches. He used his fastball for 47...

Can the Orioles produce another ninth inning win? If so, it's going to happen in Detroit, where they begin a four-game series against the Tigers. Austin Hays is in right field tonight with Ryan McKenna in left. DJ Stewart is batting fourth as the designated hitter. Trey Mancini is playing first base and Ryan Mountcastle is on the bench. Domingo Leyba gets another start at second base and Austin Wynns is catching. McKenna's bases-loaded walk in the ninth inning last night was the club's first...

While the Orioles decide what's next for pitcher Keegan Akin, he's just glad to rejoin the team and continue hoping for a more peaceful stretch in his professional life. His failure to make the club out of spring training was followed by a cut left index finger sustained in a kitchen accident in April that ruined a chance to be recalled. He finally made it back to the team and into the rotation and had to be scratched from a July 21 start against the Rays due to his placement on the COVID-19...

As if there hasn't been enough drama already today, there's still another ballgame to be played in Philadelphia! The Nationals and Phillies face off one more time, with another scheduled seven-inning game. And with a big line of thunderstorms bearing down on the area at some point later this afternoon, it may be a good thing the game is only scheduled for seven innings. Patrick Corbin gets the start, one day after he was originally supposed to pitch. The left-hander may be hours away from...

The last 24 hours for the Nationals have been hectic, to say the least. But they are just the latest episodes in what has been a chaotic and unprecedented start to the second half for the fading ballclub. With a COVID-19 outbreak, trade rumors swirling, bad weather approaching and a doubleheader to play, what message did manager Davey Martinez deliver to his players this morning as they arrived at Citizens Bank Park, still unsure what the roster would look like or if they were even going to...

The first of several deals the Nationals are expected to make over the next 28 hours was finalized today when closer Brad Hand was traded to the Blue Jays for catching prospect Riley Adams. The trade was announced by the Nats during the first inning of their game against the Phillies but apparently processed prior to first pitch, because outfielder Yadiel Hernandez was recalled from Triple-A Rochester and immediately placed on the active roster. Hand was among the most likely of the Nationals'...

The Washington Nationals acquired catcher Riley Adams from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for left-handed pitcher Brad Hand on Thursday. The Nationals also recalled outfielder Yadiel Hernandez from Triple-A Rochester. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements. Adams, 25, is considered the best power hitter in Toronto's Minor League system according to Baseball America and is the No. 17 prospect in the Blue Jays' organization according...

Max Scherzer will start today's doubleheader opener in Philadelphia in what could very well be both his swan song after seven seasons with the Nationals and one last showcase for scouts of several clubs interested in acquiring the three-time Cy Young Award winner before Friday afternoon's trade deadline. Scherzer will take the mound at Citizens Bank Park for a Nationals team that needed to place four players (Trea Turner, Daniel Hudson, Austin Voth, Alex Avila) on the COVID-19 injured list...

The Washington Nationals announced the following roster moves on Thursday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements: · Recalled infielder Luis García from Triple-A Rochester · Recalled right-handed pitcher Andres Machado from Triple-A Rochester · Reinstated catcher Yan Gomes from the 10-day Injured List · Reinstated right-handed pitcher Tanner Rainey from the 10-day Injured List · Placed...