NEW YORK - Daniel Murphy and the Nationals know there are going to be times when the veteran second baseman appears to be less than 100 percent comfortable running the bases or making plays in the field, even eight months removed from microfracture surgery on his right knee. What both sides also know, though, is this: No matter how many styles points he loses, Murphy's potential contributions now that he's finally making his season debut will far outweigh them. "It may not always look...

The Orioles today officially signed their top draft pick, prep pitcher Grayson Rodriguez, who was just introduced at a Camden Yards press conference where he was joined by Orioles scouting director Gary Rajsich. It was not long after the Orioles selected Rodriguez 11th overall in round one on June 4 that they were closing in on agreement to a signing bonus. Rodriguez will head to Florida tomorrow for an orientation and to throw some bullpens before he joins the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League...

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette denied today that specific names have been put on the table in trade talks regarding pending free agent Manny Machado. "No," he said, "we haven't advanced it that far." It's not for a lack of interest in Machado, who entered tonight batting .312/.380/.591 with 15 doubles, 18 home runs and 50 RBIs in 64 games and leading American League shortstops in voting for the All-Star Game in D.C. The Memorial Day marker has passed and the Orioles are...

The Orioles are placing Andrew Cashner on the 10-day disabled list later today with soreness in his lower back. A reliever will be added to the roster to expand the bullpen, and Cashner's replacement as Wednesday afternoon's starter will be confirmed later. Donnie Hart and Yefry Ramirez are headed to Baltimore from Triple-A Norfolk, confirming an earlier tweet from The Virginian-Pilot's David Hall. Ramirez could start Wednesday in his major league debut or back up Miguel Castro, the in-house...

NEW YORK - Hello from Yankee Stadium, where the Nationals face the best team in baseball the next two nights and will take that team on with their best hitter in the lineup for the first time this season. Yes, Daniel Murphy has been activated off the disabled list and is making his 2018 debut at long last, nearly eight months removed from microfracture surgery on his right knee. Murphy's return - not to mention Adam Eaton, as well - gives the Nationals lineup a whole new look, certainly a more...

Manny Machado has returned to the Orioles lineup tonight after an illness kept him in the dugout last night. Chris Davis isn't starting against Red Sox left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez. He's 5-for-27 (.185) with one home run and 14 strikeouts against the former Orioles farmhand. Machado is 6-for-31 (.194) with two doubles. Joey Rickard is leading off and playing left field while Trey Mancini handles first base. Austin Wynns is behind the plate. Rodriguez is 7-1 with a 3.68 ERA and 1.197 WHIP in...

The Washington Nationals returned from rehab and reinstated second baseman Daniel Murphy from the 10-day disabled list and optioned infielder Adrian Sanchez to Triple-A Syracuse on Tuesday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Murphy, 33, joins the Nationals after missing the first 64 games of the season rehabilitating from offseason right knee surgery. He went 9-for-37 (.243) with two doubles, two homers, seven RBI, six walks and...

NEW YORK - As they prepare to open a two-game series against the owners of the best record in the majors, the Nationals at long last have their best pure hitter in the lineup for the first time this season. Daniel Murphy, finally recovered from October microfracture surgery on his right knee, has been activated off the disabled list and will play tonight when the Nationals open an interleague series against the Yankees. Having completed a 10-game rehab assignment with Double-A Harrisburg,...

Orioles shortstop Manny Machado is engulfed in trade rumors and speculation as the non-waiver deadline draws nearer. He's already on the move in the American League's All-Star balloting, rising to the top at his position. Machado has received 321,887 votes to lead the Indians' Francisco Lindor, who's second with 211,756. The Yankees' Didi Gregorius is third with 208,583. None of Machado's teammates appear in the first balloting update. No one in the top five at the other positions or the...

The Orioles today announced that they have agreed to terms with their first round selection of the 2018 First-Year Player Draft, right-hander Grayson Rodriguez, from Central Heights (TX) High School. Rodriguez was selected with the 11th overall pick in the first round of the 2018 First-Year Player Draft. Rodriguez, 18, was named a 2018 Rawlings-Perfect Game First Team Senior Preseason All-American and to the Texas - All Region First Team. In 2017 as a junior, he helped lead Central Heights...