PITTSBURGH - The Nationals have any number of issues right now, from a super-erratic lineup equally capable of being shut out or scoring 17 runs on any given night, to a steady stream of mistakes made on the bases and in the field. None of those issues, however, can or should take priority at the moment over the most glaring problem facing this club: a starting rotation that shockingly has morphed from the roster's biggest strength to its biggest weakness. Aside from Max Scherzer, the...

PITTSBURGH - Stephen Strasburg will make a rehab start Tuesday for Single-A Potomac and remains on track to rejoin the Nationals' rotation coming out of the All-Star break. And that'll be not a moment too soon for a Nats ballcub that desperately needs one of its elite starters back after a brutally difficult stretch over the last month. Strasburg, who went on the 10-day disabled list June 10 with right shoulder inflammation, is slated to pitch Tuesday for Potomac in a road game at Lynchburg....

Chris Davis is in the Orioles lineup for Game 2 of the doubleheader, but Adam Jones heads to the bench. Joey Rickard is in center field, Jace Peterson is in left and Danny Valencia stays in right. Trey Mancini joins Jones on the bench. Chance Sisco will catch Yefry Ramírez, as the Orioles go for the sweep over the Yankees. For the Orioles Tim Beckham 3B Jonathan Schoop 2B Manny Machado SS Mark Trumbo DH Chris Davis 1B Danny Valencia RF Jace Peterson LF Joey Rickard CF Chance Sisco C Yefry...

CC Sabathia fielded a comebacker in the fifth inning today, threw to second base to start a double play and raised both arms triumphantly as it unfolded. He kept them in the air while the ball began its journey around the infield. The image of a heavyweight who had just delivered the knockout punch. The Orioles are in a much lower class in 2018, but they struck the hardest blow an inning later, sending Sabathia - arms now at his side - to the visiting clubhouse. Danny Valencia broke an 0-for-25...

If you're going to end a slump, hitting a go-ahead three-run home run is a good way to do it. Danny Valencia did that in the last of the sixth today, leading the Orioles past CC Sabathia and the New York Yankees at Camden Yards. The Orioles took Game 1 of the doubleheader 5-4. They improved to 25-65 in ending a six-game losing streak and winning for just the third time in their past 20 home games. The Orioles are 4-3 against the Yankees, who fall to 58-30. Valencia was in an 0-for-25 rut when...

PITTSBURGH - Not quite eight weeks removed from right hamstring surgery, Matt Wieters is back on the Nationals' active roster and back in the starting lineup for tonight's series opener against the Pirates. Now the Nats can only hope the return of their No. 1 catcher makes a significant difference for a pitching staff that floundered with Pedro Severino and Spencer Kieboom behind the plate. "He led our pitching staff a lot," manager Davey Martinez said. "And Sevy did a great job. For being...

You might not play for the Orioles, but you can still lace up your running shoes and take the field at Oriole Park this Saturday, July 9. Casey Cares and the Orioles are hosting the ninth annual Annual 5K Run/Walk, which benefits Casey Cares! Proceeds from the race go toward supporting programs for families with critically ill children. The 3.1-mile run/walk begins and ends at Oriole Park at Camden Yards and includes post-race refreshments. Registration for the race is open through July 14. You...

Coming off back-to-back good outings versus Seattle and Philadelphia, right-hander Yefry Ramírez (0-2, 2.51 ERA) makes his fourth big league appearance and third start in Game 2 of today's doubleheader. Ramírez made his major league debut June 13 in a start versus Boston and allowed three runs over 4 1/3 innings. In his past two games - in relief versus Seattle and a start in Philly - he has allowed four hits and one earned run over 10 innings. In those 10 innings, he averaged 11.7...

The Washington Nationals recalled from rehab and reinstated catcher Matt Wieters from the 10-day disabled list and optioned catcher Pedro Severino to Triple-A Syracuse. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Wieters, 32, returns to the active roster after being placed on the disabled list on May 11 with a left hamstring strain. Prior to his injury, he hit .231 with one double, three home runs, seven RBI, 10 walks and six runs scored in...

After completing a winless road trip by going 0-6 through Philadelphia and Minnesota, the Orioles return to Camden Yards today. They'll host the New York Yankees in today's single-admission doubleheader. It starts a four-game series and eight-game homestand leading into the All-Star break. The Orioles (24-65) lost Sunday to Minnesota and were swept four straight in that series. That is the 10th time this year the Orioles have been swept in a three- or four-game series. They have lost six in a...