The Nationals are set to do something tonight for the first time this season. No, they won't be fielding an entirely healthy lineup. That milestone will have to wait for another day down the road. The Nats will, however, be facing the Marlins for the first time in 2018. Even though the 2018 season is nearly one-third complete. In one of several odd quirks to the schedule, the Nationals and Marlins have made it to Memorial Day weekend before squaring off for the first of 19 head-to-head games....

The Orioles signed Colby Rasmus to a minor league deal because they wanted a left-handed hitting outfielder who could give them plus-defense in right and also back up in center. He made it through eight games before going on the disabled list with a hip injury and only two hits with 13 strikeouts in 21 at-bats. Rasmus is playing in extended spring training games and the Orioles miss him. Not the injured, .095 hitting version, but the guy that they envisioned after reaching agreement on a deal...

CHICAGO - On a day when the Orioles offense grabbed the early headlines, right-hander Dylan Bundy had them at the end. He pitched a complete-game two-hitter today on a career-high 121 pitches as the Orioles beat the Chicago White Sox 9-3 to split a four-game series. Bundy fanned two batters in each of the first four innings and struck out a career-best 14 against just one walk. He allowed one hit that produced runs and it was a three-run homer by José Rondon in the fourth with the Orioles...

The Nationals have dealt with an incredible amount of injuries so far in 2018. Certainly, every team suffers with injuries and complaining will not help players heal faster, but as someone recently joked on Twitter, the Nationals could have a .500 club with their roster presently on the disabled list. It is a testament to the performance of the team's reserves that Washington's record currently stands at 26-22 and only three games back of first place in the National League East. Fortunately...

CHICAGO - The struggling Orioles offense got a jump-start in the Chicago sunshine this afternoon. It came via the continued control issues of young Chicago White Sox right-hander Lucas Giolito. O's right-hander Dylan Bundy wouldn't need a lot of offense this afternoon, but he got it anyway. He pitched a complete-game two-hitter. Giolito began the day tied for the American League lead in walks and issued three - two with the bases loaded - as the Orioles took a 4-0 lead in the first. They led...

If the Orioles are going to get top-market value in a potential trade for shortstop Manny Machado, they'll need the Phillies to stay close in the National League East. Then they'll need the Cubs and Cardinals lineups to continue to sputter, and hope that the first-place Brewers, after their best 50-game start in team history, attempt to block a trade to either of their rivals in the NL Central. It wouldn't hurt if the Yankees lost confidence in prospects Gleyber Torres and Miguel Andujar,...

Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Palmer exhibited pinpoint control again today on the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network while defending his criticisms of first baseman Chris Davis during last night's postgame show. Palmer didn't back down after the network aired responses from Davis and hitting coach Scott Coolbaugh. After relaying how he read an article in January that pointed out Davis' propensity for taking third strikes, a total that led the majors, Palmer approached Coolbaugh in spring training for...

CHICAGO - There were some topics to discuss today with the Orioles that didn't involve struggling slugger Chris Davis. Manager Buck Showalter provided updates on Mark Trumbo and Darren O'Day. Trumbo developed right knee soreness after sliding into a base here on Tuesday night, when he went 4-for-4. He did not play last night. O'Day, who is 0-1 with a 3.77 ERA, has been out since May 5 with a hyperextended right elbow. "We may get an MRI on Trumb's knee just to be on the safe side,"...

CHICAGO - Orioles first baseman Chris Davis responded today to critical comments made about him on the MASN telecast last night by Hall of Famer Jim Palmer. "They say he works hard," Palmer said on the "O's Xtra" postgame show. "He told everybody in spring training that he worked with (hitting coach) Scott Coolbaugh. So I asked Scott in spring training. I said, 'Hey, you must have really put in a lot of work.' He goes, 'We didn't work.' So I don't believe anything." Davis is...

Students, alumni, and supporters of several area universities are invited to attend University Nights at Oriole Park this season, as several local and regional colleges will be celebrated in August and September. The University Nights lineup has expanded in 2018 to include James Madison University, Virginia Tech, University of Maryland-Baltimore County, Virginia Commonwealth University, Coppin State University, and Georgetown University. Morgan State University, Towson University, and...