He did not come right out and say it, but because today's bullpen session went so well, it is likely that right-hander Max Scherzer will be back Thursday or Friday after recovering from bursitis in his right shoulder. Scherzer said Monday's bullpen session at Nats Park went exactly as planned and he felt at full strength. "Got off the mound, did a full bullpen," Scherzer reported. "Everything feels good. Ball comes out of my hand exactly how it should feel like, at 100 percent. Been...

PHOENIX - Renato Núñez is playing first base tonight as the Orioles open their series against the Diamondback without the use of a designated hitter. Chris Davis sits against left-hander Robbie Ray. Anthony Santander is in left field and Stevie Wilkerson is playing center. Aaron Brooks is making his third start for the Orioles after allowing one run and two hits in 5 1/3 innings. Brooks made his only career start against the Diamondbacks on Aug. 29, 2015 and held them to two runs in six...

The Washington Nationals made the following roster moves on Monday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements. Selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Michael Blazek from Triple-A Fresno Recalled outfielder Andrew Stevenson from Triple-A Fresno Placed first baseman Ryan Zimmerman on the 10-day Injured List with plantar fasciitis in his right foot Transferred right-handed pitcher Justin Miller to the 60-day Injured List Optioned...

The Orioles took two of three from the Red Sox over this weekend at Oriole Park at Camden Yards before embarking on their last West Coast road trip of the season, but fans can still win big at home with the Maryland Lottery's Home Run Riches instant ticket! The scratch-off has a top prize of $50,000, and non-winning tickets can be entered in a second-chance contest to win every time the Orioles hit a home run. To win in the second-chance contest, just enter your non-winning tickets through...

PHOENIX - The hype over Adley Rutschman isn't going to subside or slow as long as he continues down this path. And that's fine with the Orioles, who are enjoying every step of it. Rutschman made his catching debut today in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League after serving as the designated hitter on Saturday in his first game. He went 1-for-4 with a stolen base and two runs scored in the GCL Orioles' 9-1 victory over the GCL Braves. The Braves didn't attempt a stolen base against him. The...

The Nationals wanted to win at least three of four in Atlanta this weekend. But they instead hold steady at 6 1/2 games back in the National League East after splitting four games, falling 7-1 in Sunday night's series finale at SunTrust Park. Now the Nats return home for 10 games through July 31, beginning with four games against the Colorado Rockies. The Dodgers and Braves also visit D.C. this week and next. The Rockies are in a mile-high tailspin, losers of seven out of their first nine...

ATLANTA - As he tries to navigate his way through these final days before the July 31 trade deadline, Mike Rizzo has to cope with the following realties: * The Nationals need bullpen help. * Their list of desirable prospects isn't nearly as long as it has been in the past. * They can't afford to take on much more salary without surpassing the league's luxury tax threshold, something the organization is openly saying it won't do. * Almost every contending team is also in the market for...

ATLANTA - If the streak was going to end, this probably felt like the night it would happen, with the backup to the backup starter on the mound. If a member of the Nationals rotation was going to take a loss for the first time in 28 games, Joe Ross was a good candidate. And yet tonight's 7-1 loss to the Braves can't really be pinned on Ross, who did all the Nats could have asked of him under the circumstances. He gave them a chance to win. "He looked good," manager Davey Martinez said. "He...

Yes, it's a small sample size, but yes, it sure has been impressive. The topic is Asher Wojciechowski's swing-and-miss stuff, seen yesterday and also right before the All-Star break in Toronto. At Rogers Centre on July 7, Wojciechowski had a nasty slider going in the early innings, and Blue Jays batters could not make consistent contact against it. In the second and third innings that day he threw nine sliders and got six swings and misses. He threw 80 pitches in that game and got 19 swings...

ATLANTA - Ryan Zimmerman's return from plantar fasciitis appears to have lasted only three weeks. Zimmerman winced as he ran down the first base line for an infield single in the top of the second inning tonight at SunTrust Park and had to depart the Nationals' series finale against the Braves. The Nationals didn't immediately announce a reason for Zimmerman's departure, but it appeared he aggravated the same right heel injury that sidelined him from late April through late June. The...