MIAMI - Max Scherzer abruptly pulled himself from tonight's start against the Marlins after throwing an errant warmup pitch before the bottom of the second inning, immediately motioning toward the Nationals dugout that he could not continue. Scherzer, who had tossed a perfect first inning and then launched the first home run of his career in the top of the second, jogged to the mound to begin the bottom of the second and appeared to be fine. But after a warmup toss sailed wide of catcher Matt...

The Orioles came up with their seventh walk-off win of the year last night and it was also the Royals' seventh walk-off loss. The Orioles won 2-1 in the ninth inning, getting singles by Caleb Joseph, Rubén Tejada and Craig Gentry, whose hit ended the game. The win was the Orioles' third in a row and ninth in the last 14 games since they started the second half going 0-3 versus the Cubs. The Orioles are 1-3 versus the Royals and 31-21 at home. They are 51-54 for the season. Kansas City is...

MIAMI - Last week's rainout in Washington has left the Nationals in a quandary, needing to call up a pitcher from their system to start Wednesday's series finale in Miami. But thanks to the long-term domino effect of the rainout, Sunday's doubleheader and Wednesday's one-time call-up, the Nats will have the ability to set their rotation however they like for this weekend's series in Chicago. What that all means ... A.J. Cole is expected to be promoted from Triple-A Syracuse to start...

How will the Orioles fit Jeremy Hellickson into their rotation beyond Wednesday night's assignment against the Royals? Manager Buck Showalter isn't keen on using six starters, though he notes the benefits as the season progresses through the summer. "Anticipate it? It's a possibility, but there are some ways ..." he said. "I'd like to get to a four-man bench. You can't burn two players with one move with a three-man bench. There are a lot of dynamics involved in that. The game changes...

With the addition of veteran infielder/outfielder Howie Kendrick, the Nationals have the makings of an extremely lethal offense starting eight and bench. The club will be especially potent when it gets back starters Jayson Werth, Michael A. Taylor and Trea Turner. Taylor appears the closest of those three to getting back. He began his rehab assignment Monday night for the high Single-A Potomac Nationals, going 0-for-2 with a strikeout as the designated hitter. He looked very good shagging fly...

Just over 24 hours after the Orioles acquired Tim Beckham from the Rays, he will make his Orioles debut at shortstop, batting sixth. He joins a team that added at the trade deadline and is still gunning for a playoff spot despite being 4 ½ games back of the second American League wild card and 6 ½ games out in the AL East race. "I love it. Love it man," Beckham said in his first press session as an Oriole. "That is what we play the game for. To compete and win every game we touch the...

The Orioles won't have outdoor batting practice this afternoon due to rain. However, they expect the game to start on time. Mark Trumbo's MRI today was "very positive," according to manager Buck Showalter. Trumbo is on the 10-day disabled list with a strained right ribcage, but the club remains hopeful that he'll be ready when eligible to return. Ryan Flaherty continues his injury rehab assignment tonight by playing third base at Single-A Frederick. Flaherty will work out with the Orioles...

MIAMI - The last two times they've played at Marlins Park, the Nationals have seen their starting pitcher carry a no-hitter into at least the eighth inning. What does Max Scherzer have in store tonight? Scherzer, of course, was on the mound for one of those previous no-no attempts, reaching the bottom of the eighth on June 21 before a little chopper over the mound sent the Marlins on their way to a stunning 2-1 victory. Scherzer remained on the mound as that inning devolved, in large part...

The Orioles have designated second baseman Johnny Giavotella for assignment this afternoon to create a roster spot for infielder Tim Beckham. They will continue to go with a 13-man pitching staff. Giavotella is 1-for-10 in seven games. He's started twice, most recently on July 16 against the Cubs. Beckham, who's wearing No. 1, is playing shortstop tonight and batting sixth. Seth Smith is the designated hitter while Joey Rickard plays right field. In his last 10 games, Manny Machado has gone...

If there's one thing that marked the 2017 season in the Nationals minors, it's how few, far between and slow promotions have been. To clarify, I'm talking about upward moves from the low-to-mid minors based on merit, not the needs-based shift from Triple-A to the majors. Granted, nobody in their right mind wants to return to the days when an old-for-the-level, low Single-A guy is moved to Double-a in the space of 10 days (Bill Rhinehart, 2008) or a southpaw moved up from high Single-A to the...