The Nationals made more changes to their ever-changing bullpen today, and there's still one more big change to come in a few days that could finally solidify that group for the season's final month. The Nats activated Roenis Elías off the injured list and Hunter Strickland off the paternity leave list this afternoon, bringing all three relievers acquired on July 31 together again after a long wait. Needing to clear roster spots, they designated struggling Matt Grace for assignment and...

The Nationals rotation is now set for the Marlins and Mets series. Tonight through Sunday, the Nationals pitchers will be Aníbal Sánchez, Stephen Strasburg and Patrick Corbin. Manager Davey Martinez confirmed the Nationals will start Joe Ross on Labor Day afternoon in the first game against the Mets. So that leaves Max Scherzer set for Tuesday night and Sánchez on Wednesday afternoon. "So come Monday, Joe Ross will start," Martinez said. "So we will give the other guys an extra day,...

September is almost here and that means perfect weather and a list of storylines that lead to the postseason. The Astros and Yankees are going to win division titles in the American League, while the Twins try to hold off Cleveland in the AL Central. In the National League, the Dodgers are on cruise control in the NL West, while the Nationals in the NL East continue their push from a 19-31 start. The NL Central? The Brewers don't have the pitching, so that leaves the Cardinals and Cubs in a...

Hanser Alberto is leading off tonight for the Orioles, bringing a .407 average against left-handers to Kansas City that leads the majors. The 72 hits off left-handed pitching this season are tied with Rafael Palmeiro in 1996 for second-most in Orioles history. Palmeiro holds the club record with 73 hits in 1998. The last player to exceed 80 hits off southpaws was the Mariners' Ichiro Suzuki (84) in 2004. Alberto hasn't struck out in his last 44 plate appearances since Aug. 14, the longest...

Slowly but surely, the Nationals are getting their bullpen back. That is, the bullpen they acquired on July 31 but only had together for one game. Roenis Elías, who made just the one appearance before straining his hamstring, has been activated off the injured list and is available to pitch in tonight's series opener against the Marlins. And Hunter Strickland, who has been around for most of the last month, has returned from paternity leave. Needing to clear two roster spots, the Nationals...

The Washington Nationals made the following roster moves on Friday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements. * Reinstated left-handed pitcher Roenis Elías from the 10-day Injured List * Reinstated right-handed pitcher Hunter Strickland from the Paternity List * Designated left-handed pitcher Matt Grace for assignment * Optioned catcher Spencer Kieboom to Double-A Harrisburg Elías, 31, returns to the active roster after being placed...

KANSAS CITY - The Orioles (44-89) begin a weekend series in Kansas City tonight at Kauffman Stadium. The O's split two games in Washington on Tuesday and Wednesday to start this three-city, eight-game trip. Lefty John Means (9-9, 3.61 ERA) was reinstated earlier today from the family medical emergency list and will start tonight's game. Means allowed one run and five hits over seven innings on Saturday against Tampa Bay in his last start. Over his past two starts, Means has allowed three...

John Means has been reinstated from the family medical emergency list and is starting tonight in Kansas City, where he attended games as a kid. The native of Olathe, Kan., left the team Sunday after holding the Rays to one run over seven innings the previous night. The Orioles kept the matter private out of respect for Means and his family. Reliever Tayler Scott was optioned yesterday to Triple-A Norfolk, opening a spot on the active roster that Means is filling. Means has allowed three earned...

It was good to see Austen Williams back in the Nationals clubhouse during the Orioles series. The right-hander has missed 116 games on the injured list with a sprained right AC joint shoulder injury. He was originally put on the IL on April 19. The Texas State hurler appeared in two games against the Giants April 16-17 and got shelled, allowing six runs on five hits with just one out recorded. Incredibly, his ERA is listed at 162.00. After those games he felt significant shoulder soreness. The...

KANSAS CITY - As the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds charge toward next month's South Atlantic League playoffs we got another reminder this week of how special their pitching staff has been this year. It started Tuesday night with lefty Drew Rom and continued the last two nights with right-handers Gray Fenter and Grayson Rodriguez. The trio combined to pitch 16 no-hit innings, allowing one unearned run with two walks to 24 strikeouts. They seem to be getting better as this season goes on. Behind...