When Matt Adams had to depart Monday night's game in Chicago with what he believed was an oblique injury, the Nationals understandably had reason to worry this was serious. "I'm a little concerned," manager Davey Martinez said that night. "Whenever it's an oblique, that's going to be days missed." Adams did miss three days, but that's all he missed. He's back in the lineup for this afternoon's game against the Diamondbacks, and it turns out the injury wasn't to his oblique after...

A relief outing that stretches over 4 1/3 innings and requires 82 pitches has been known to punch a ticket back to the minors. Left-hander Josh Rogers wondered if he'd be packing his bags again, saving the bullpen last night leading to his removal from it. Rogers is, indeed, coming out of the Orioles bullpen, but only to join the rotation and make Wednesday night's start in Oakland. Manager Brandon Hyde informed Rogers of his decision earlier today. The media didn't find out until...

The latest Triple-A Norfolk-to-Baltimore pitching shuffle brings right-handed reliever Jimmy Yacabonis back to Camden Yards today. He takes the roster spot of Luis Ortiz, who was optioned out after making Friday's start against Boston. This will be Yacabonis' third stint with the Orioles this year and he's 1-1 with a 6.11 ERA and 1.58 WHIP in 11 games. He's pitched in 19 games at Norfolk, going 1-2 with a 4.74 ERA. Over 19 innings with the Tides, he walked 13, fanned 19 and posted a 1.68...

The Orioles are moving David Hess to the bullpen in the latest rotation makeover of the season. Left-hander Josh Rogers, recalled yesterday from Triple-A Norfolk, will start Wednesday night in Oakland. Hess is available in relief today and will remain in that role for an undermined length of time. Manager Brandon Hyde informed Hess yesterday of the switch and decided on Rogers as the replacement after the rookie allowed two runs last night in 4 1/3 innings in a 13-2 loss to the Red Sox. Hess is...

The Nationals don't often oversell injuries, but it looks like perhaps they did with Matt Adams this week. When Adams departed Monday night's game in Chicago with an oblique strain, manager Davey Martinez admitted he was concerned. And the club considered placing the big slugger on the injured list. But they decided to hold off for a couple of days and see if Adams responded well to treatment, and sure enough he was able to pinch-hit Friday night and now is back in the lineup this...

Hanser Alberto is back in the Orioles lineup and in the leadoff spot today after leaving last night's game with an illness. Trey Mancini is playing first base, Anthony Santander is in right field and Stevie Wilkerson is in left. Chris Davis sits against Red Sox left-hander Chris Sale. Pedro Severino moves up to third in the order. He continues to rake against lefties. Keon Broxton is in center field and Richie Martin is the shortstop. For the Orioles Hanser Alberto 3B Trey Mancini 1B Pedro...

The shuttle has dropped off Jimmy Yacabonis at Camden Yards. Yacabonis is making his latest return to the Orioles, who recalled him this morning from Triple-A Norfolk. He replaces Luis Ortiz, who was optioned following last night's 13-2 loss to the Red Sox. The bullpen is holding eight relievers, though Josh Rogers won't be available for a while after throwing 82 pitches last night in 4 1/3 innings. Yacabonis is available this afternoon after working only two-thirds of an inning Thursday. He...

Trey Mancini might wind up playing in his first All-Star Game later this summer. And his third full-season in the major leagues is turning out to be a very good one. But Mancini has never forgotten his minor league roots. During this homestand he has walked through the clubhouse wearing a Delmarva Shorebirds T-shirt, and he was recently part of a group of Orioles that talked with Delmarva players via Skype. He's taken note of how well the Shorebirds have played this year. Tuesday night...

The Nationals bullpen took their lumps for most of the first two months of the season. But recently they have been able to avoid big innings and hold leads. Since May 31, Nats relievers have pitched to a 2.04 ERA with 39 strikeouts and 10 walks. Only two out of 14 inherited runners have scored in that span (14.3 percent). "They've been really, really good," said Nationals manager Davey Martinez. "I think since [May 31] they've been tops in the league. It's kind of nice." Friday night,...

I'm not sure if there's a media member alive covering baseball who doesn't want the answer. We have to know specific bullpen roles. Who's the closer, primary set-up man, lefty specialist, middle reliever and long man? The emergency catcher also is a common curiosity, but let's stick to the bullpen for the sake of this morning's discussion. (Manager Brandon Hyde hasn't revealed the identity of the emergency catcher, but Stevie Wilkerson is back on the roster and he got in some work behind...