It took just about every ounce of intestinal fortitude the Nationals had in them just to get into position to win this afternoon, whether overcoming an early six-run deficit, asking their three youngest players to ignite a rally with a historic trio of homers or asking a couple of longtime rotation prospects to deliver a bunch of scoreless innings out of the bullpen. It was an impressive display of gumption on the Nationals' part. But it still left them in an uncomfortably familiar position:...

MINNEAPOLIS - Orioles pitchers were not battered by the longball today. But they lost again to the Minnesota Twins anyway, this time with little offense. Right-hander Kyle Gibson limited the Birds to a Chris Davis solo homer over seven frames as Minnesota beat the Orioles 4-1 at Target Field to complete the three-game sweep. Minnesota has won 12 in a row over the Orioles and has gone 6-0 against them this year, scoring 45 runs on 23 homers. They hit 12 homers during the sweep this weekend. The...

A day filled with roster moves and transactions for the Orioles has room for at least one more. The Orioles announced this afternoon that they claimed right-hander Shawn Armstrong off waivers from the Mariners, the latest attempt to settle a pitching staff that's giving up home runs in record proportions. Armstrong, 28, is out of minor league options and will be placed on the Orioles' 25-man roster after he reports to the club, which should happen this week during the series in Chicago that...

MINNEAPOLIS - On a day with a dizzying six Orioles roster moves, a player that is still here and never left is pretty important as well. Trey Mancini is not in today's lineup, but should be soon. He suffered a contusion on the index finger of his right hand when batting in the first inning on Saturday. "Trey is day-to-day still," manager Brandon Hyde said. "He's pretty sore, but I think we got really lucky that it's not broken. But obviously got him in a bad spot and he's pretty sore....

Ryan Zimmerman is now on the injured list with plantar fasciitis. Anthony Rendon isn't there yet, but if his elbow doesn't heal real soon he may wind up off the active roster as well. All of which leaves the Nationals with a makeshift lineup for today's series finale against the Padres, a short bench and an extra bullpen arm in the form of Erick Fedde. The official roster move made this morning: Zimmerman was placed on the 10-day IL with plantar fasciitis in his right foot, with Fedde...

The Washington Nationals recalled right-handed pitcher Erick Fedde from Double-A Harrisburg and placed first baseman Ryan Zimmerman on the 10-day Injured List with Plantar Fasciitis in his right foot on Sunday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Fedde, 26, joins the Nationals after going 2-0 with a 2.66 ERA (7 ER/23.2 IP) in four starts for the Harrisburg Senators in 2019. He has struck out 25 batters against just four walks while...

The Orioles have returned pitcher Alex Cobb to the injured list with a lumbar strain, designated catcher Jesús Sucre for assignment and optioned pitcher Jimmy Yacabonis to Triple-A Norfolk. The three moves create room on the 25-man roster for pitchers Branden Kline and Luis Ortiz and catcher Austin Wynns, who were recalled from Norfolk prior to today's series finale against the Twins in Minnesota. Cobb is making his third stop on the IL this year, missing his opening day assignment with a...

The Nationals already are assured of losing their third straight series. It's too late to change that. But they have to win today to avoid their first series sweep of the season, and if that isn't motivation enough for this afternoon's contest with the Padres, what else is? We know the Nats need to be able to lock down games late, their biggest problem area. But they also need to be able to score more runs, no matter the inning. Over their last eight games, they're batting a collective .235...

There was not an eighth-inning implosion from the Nationals bullpen Saturday. Sure, there was a walk to start the frame. That's an issue the bullpen has had this season - allowing a baserunner early in an appearance. But something unique happened after that. Right-hander Joe Ross allowed a single to the Padres rookie sensation Fernando Tatis Jr., then struck out the No. 2 hitter Wil Myers with a dramatic full-count swing-and-miss on an 89 mph diving slider. During the at-bat, Ross peppered...

The Orioles surrendered five more home runs yesterday in Minnesota, all of them coming out of their bullpen, which again is in need of repair. Relievers have accounted for 34 of the 69 home runs allowed by the Orioles, easily the most in the majors and 15 more than the runner-up Cardinals and Rangers heading into the late slate of games. The Twins hit a homer off left-handers Paul Fry and Tanner Scott and three off Jimmy Yacabonis. Scott didn't retire a batter and his ERA rose to 7.11. All...