A lot happened Thursday before, during and after the Nationals' 7-6 victory over the Mets. And a lot of it matters heading into this weekend's series against the Cubs, then into next week's road trip to New York. So let's run through several key developments and what it means tonight and beyond ... * Trea Turner is probably coming back tonight. Though Davey Martinez was noncommittal Thursday about the possibility of Turner coming off the injured list, it already seemed likely before the...

CLEVELAND - After a doubleheader loss in New York, the Orioles begin a four-game series tonight at Progressive Field in Cleveland. The Orioles lost by scores of 5-3 and 3-1 in the twinbill at Yankee Stadium. They produced just 14 hits in the two games and went 0-for-13 with runners in scoring position. The Orioles (14-28) are 0-21 the last three games and 1-for-31 their past four games with RISP. The past 16 games they are 16-for-118 (.136) with RISP. The Birds have scored four runs or fewer 27...

CLEVELAND - Over the last nine games, Orioles starters have pitched six innings or more in six of them. That is significant because they had just four such outings in the season's first 33 games. And the rotation ERA is 3.73 in the more recent stretch. So tonight enter right-hander Dan Straily into the mix as the Orioles open a four-game series in Cleveland with the Indians. Straily (1-3, 8.23 ERA) has gone five innings or less in each of his six starts and has allowed 11 runs in 8 2/3 over...

The double blow of Aníbal Sánchez walking off the field with a hamstring injury in the top of the second and Erick Fedde then giving up four runs in the span of two pitches in the top of the third this afternoon had to send shivers up and down South Capitol Street. Just when you thought the Nationals might be on their way to their first back-to-back wins in a month, here they were dealing with yet another key injury and yet another bullpen implosion. And then the home team did something...

CLEVELAND - The Orioles are getting one of their key relievers back tonight. And he feels like he's ready now to duplicate his past success. Following his lat surgery last June, lefty Richard Bleier did make it back in time for opening day. But he gave up nine hits and seven runs over 4 1/3 innings to begin the year. That was very different from Bleier's 1.99 ERA for the 2017 Orioles and the 1.93 he posted until he got hurt last year. An examination of Bleier's left shoulder revealed...

Chris Davis is batting in the cleanup spot again tonight as the Orioles start their four-game series in Cleveland. Jonathan Villar is playing shortstop, with Richie Martin again moving to the bench. Martin has been sitting frequently against right-handers and the Indians are starting four of them in the series. Pedro Severino is catching. Dan Straily gets another chance to reverse a tough start with the Orioles. He's appeared in seven games and posted an 8.23 ERA and 1.829 WHIP over 27 1/3...

Just when his teammates finally put him in prime position to earn his first win of the season, Aníbal Sánchez suffered an injury and was forced to depart this afternoon's game at Nationals Park with only one out in the top of the second. Sánchez had pitched effectively, retiring the first four Mets batters he faced before allowing a one-out single to J.D. Davis in the top of the second. Pitching with a 4-0 lead after his teammates busted out early against New York starter Zack...

The Orioles have made a significant adjustment to reliever Richard Bleier's pitching schedule. He won't report to Triple-A Norfolk as planned. He won't stay in the minors. Bleier was removed from his injury rehab assignment at Single-A Frederick this afternoon and activated from the 10-day injured list, giving the bullpen a second left-hander along with Paul Fry as the Orioles begin a four-game series tonight in Cleveland. The corresponding roster move again involves reliever Jimmy...

The Nationals may have Trea Turner back in their lineup Friday night. Turner, who broke his right index finger 6 1/2 weeks ago, emerged from back-to-back rehab games with Single-A Potomac feeling well. He was back at Nationals Park this morning, working out before the Nats' series finale against the Mets. A final decision hasn't been made yet, but club officials will consider activating their starting shortstop off the injured list Friday for the opener of a weekend series with the Cubs. "He...

If you're a youth baseball player in Washington, D.C., and you think you see Nationals stars Anthony Rendon or Adam Eaton at your game on Saturday, your eyes may not be playing tricks on you. Rendon, Eaton, Patrick Corbin, Yan Gomes, Joe Ross, Kurt Suzuki, Michael A. Taylor and Ryan Zimmerman will be visiting nine youth baseball league sites Saturday morning. Players from the Single-A Potomac Nationals will accompany the Nats players in select locations. Visits will take place in all four...