MILWAUKEE - Ryan Zimmerman gets his first start tonight since returning from the disabled list. One reason Zimmerman hasn't seen a start yet this week is because of Matt Adams' success against right-handers. The Brewers are going to throw three straight right-handers against the Nationals. But manager Davey Martinez said that might not prevent Zimmerman from getting starts anyway. "We got to get him in the lineup," Martinez said. "We got to get him going. Like I said before when he's hot,...

After three losses in Toronto, the Orioles begin a seven-game homestand tonight. It begins with a three-game series against American League East-leading Boston. Then the Orioles will host Tampa Bay for four games. The Orioles lost by scores of 8-7, 4-1 and 5-4 in Toronto to hit the 100-game mark with a record of 28-72. They were 48-52 at this point in 2017. The Orioles have lost six of eight, 13 of 17 and 31 of their last 40. They are 16-33 at home. Second baseman Jonathan Schoop is hitting...

The tarp is off the field again at Camden Yards after more rain fell in the afternoon. The sun comes out, dark clouds return, the sun comes back out and rain starts and stops. It's been a maddening pattern. The forecast isn't favorable, but the Orioles as always will try to play tonight and avoid a doubleheader or losing an off-day. They've checked the schedule for alternate dates, just in case. Manager Buck Showalter didn't use Zach Britton yesterday in Toronto while a 4-1 lead dissolved...

When Manny Machado was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday, that opened a spot on the Orioles' 25-man roster. It went to 24-year-old right-handed hitting Renato Núnez, who tonight will start his fourth game at third base since joining the Orioles on Friday in Toronto. The Orioles claimed Núnez off waivers May 13 from Texas after he had been designated for assignment by the Rangers two days earlier. He had gone 6-for-36 (.167) with Texas. The Orioles sent the Valencia,...

Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop has relocated to the locker formerly used by Manny Machado at the end of the row, with third baseman Renato Núñez setting up next to him. Zach Britton, Adam Jones and Brad Brach are at their same lockers. They still haven't been traded. Reliever Darren O'Day returned to Camden Yards today to begin treatment following his hamstring surgery. He's out for the rest of the season. Reliever Richard Bleier will meet the team in New York on July 31 for a...

Jace Peterson moves over to right field tonight and Adam Jones returns to center field for the Orioles as they begin a three-game series against the Red Sox at Camden Yards. Trey Mancini is in left field and Chris Davis is at first base. Renato Núñez continues to play third base. He's 2-for-11 with two doubles, an RBI and two runs scored since the Orioles selected his contract from Triple-A Norfolk. Jonathan Schoop is the fourth second baseman to have at least 600 hits, 300 runs and 100...

MILWAUKEE - The Nationals have to feel good about gaining a split against the Braves over the weekend, and they arrive at Miller Park trailing second-place Atlanta by five games and first-place Philadelphia by six games in the National League East. The Nats are back at .500 again (49-49) as they embark on a seven-game road trip against the Brewers and Marlins. The Brewers lead the NL wild card standings, a full five games ahead of the Nationals. Milwaukee is a formidable opponent at 56-45, just...

Many Nationals fans were dismayed by Sunday's news that closer Sean Doolittle will remain on the disabled list for a few more weeks after a setback in his recovery from a left foot injury. Although Doolittle has excelled as a closer since coming in trade from Oakland last season, he still has a way to go to catch the most dominant closer Washington has ever seen, Chad Cordero. The 36-year-old former Nat was one of the most popular former players at the autograph tables during All-Star FanFest...

With Manny Machado now off to Los Angeles, the Orioles are in an official rebuild. It's a word that's been touchy for some, but now it's being used by executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette. Wheels are spinning and plans are being made, whether Duquette is around to see it through beyond this season or not. In a conference call following the Machado trade, Duquette laid out the blueprint for the Orioles to get back to competitiveness by increasing the use of analytics,...

On Friday night, the Orioles trailed by five runs in the eighth. They rallied to tie the game and force a tenth inning at Toronto, only to see their defense come up short as they lost via a walk-off. Saturday a walk after the count reached 0-2 followed by an error opened the door for the Blue Jays' winning rally. Sunday the Orioles bullpen gave up a pair of two-run homers in the eighth to blow a three-run lead. Swept away again in Toronto, which yet again this year, is a house of horrors for...