The Orioles have reached the end of their first-half schedule, with today's series finale in Toronto followed by an All-Star break that provides rest for everyone except left-hander John Means. Trey Mancini hasn't been added to the American League team as a reserve. Baseball is sustaining the snub. Let's be clear that Means is a deserving representative. There shouldn't be outrage at his inclusion, though it came as a bit of a surprise given his innings count prior to the selection and the...

Mike Wallace opened up his closet this morning and instead of grabbing one of his standard-issue Nationals polo shirts instead dug deep to locate one in a different shade of blue. Across the left chest it said "Expos." On the right sleeve was a logo for the 2004 MLB Japan All-Star Series. Wallace hadn't worn the shirt since that day in November 2004 when he became the last person to wear Expos gear in an official capacity. He noted that outfielder Brad Wilkerson, who played for the MLB...

Nationals manager Davey Martinez made sure to check that Max Scherzer was good to go after a busy week with his wife Erica giving birth to a baby girl Kacey Hart on Thursday. Usually, a new baby in the family is the only big deal for a week in the life of any proud Dad. It's all in the normal work and life for Scherzer, who makes his 19th start of the season today against Kansas City. He has gone 6-0 in the last month with a 1.00 ERA, being named National League Pitcher of the Month. He...

The Orioles have claimed right-hander Aaron Brooks off waivers from the Athletics in the latest pitching-related move from the club today. Reliever Josh Lucas, optioned to Triple-A Norfolk last night, has been designated for assignment to create room for Brooks on the 40-man roster. Brooks was 2-3 with a 5.01 ERA and 1.252 WHIP in 15 games this year, including six starts, and he could become an option for the rotation. He allowed 28 earned runs (29 total) and 49 hits in 50 1/3 innings with 14...

TORONTO - The Orioles have made an adjustment to their rotation for the final game before the All-Star break. Gabriel Ynoa was originally listed as the starter and while he is staying in the rotation, right-hander Asher Wojciechowski will get the start on Sunday against Toronto. "He's on regular rest and we kind of want to see him again," manager Brandon Hyde said today. "Got a lot of stuff after the break, the doubleheader and some others things. So just taking another look at him. Ynoa is...

Today's matchup with the Blue Jays starting a left-hander is keeping Chris Davis out of the lineup. Trey Mancini is playing first base and Anthony Santander is in right field. Steve Wilkerson is in left instead of Dwight Smith Jr. Hanser Alberto is leading off and playing third base. Davis had an RBI single and two-run homer last night for his first multi-RBI game since May 10. He's 8-for-23 with two home runs in his last seven games. Both home runs have been hit to left field. Davis' .182...

The latest shuffling in the Orioles bullpen has slid David Hess back to the majors. The Orioles recalled Hess from Triple-A Norfolk this morning. He replaced Josh Lucas, who was optioned after last night's 4-1 win in Toronto. Manager Brandon Hyde will explain to the media at Rogers Centre how he envisions using Hess, but it's likely to be in long relief and other in-game spots, rather than in the rotation. Hess was moved to the bullpen and then optioned to Norfolk on June 16. He kept pitching...

Even with the extra-inning loss to the Royals in the rearview mirror, the Nationals have some positives to take away from Friday's events at Nats Park. The Nats fell to Kansas City 7-4 in 11 innings, but came back from a 4-1 deficit to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth, watching as Ryan Zimmerman's power returned and learned that Anthony Rendon will sacrifice his All-Star Game invitation in order to stay in D.C. and rehab a tight left quad/hamstring for the duration of the...

TORONTO - The Orioles can end an 11-series road losing streak with a win this afternoon at Toronto. They beat the Blue Jays 4-1 last night at Rogers Centre as Dylan Bundy gave up one run over 6 2/3 innings and Chris Davis homered and drove in three. The Orioles last road series win was at Rogers Centre from April 1-3. They then split a four-game series at Boston and have since dropped 11 consecutive series away from Oriole Park. The O's longest winning streak of the year is four games and...

TORONTO - He may have homered with three RBIs Friday night, giving his team the run production that was often expected when he signed his big contract, but not much changed last night for Chris Davis. He still doesn't seem to have an answer for how he can do that more often and manager Brandon Hyde made no postgame pronouncements or promises that Davis would play more often now. He's been only a sometimes starter recently and often is batting down near the bottom of the order. But for a night...