The Orioles aren't completely buried after this weekend's sweep at the hands of the defending World Series champion Chicago Cubs, but there is certainly some dirt on their grave. With that comes the realization that perhaps this isn't "the year" for the Birds. At least that appears to be the sentiment of the front office if reporting from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports is to be believed. Rosenthal says that O's executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette has begun informing...

Today is the 43rd anniversary of the date a Dodgers pitcher tore an elbow ligament, an injury that eventually made his name not only a part of baseball vernacular, but a household term. We learned over the weekend that Nationals pitcher Joe Ross will have Tommy John surgery on Wednesday, a procedure that one-third of all major league pitchers had undergone as of 2013. Hundreds are performed each year. The Single-A Potomac Nationals even had an "Ode to Tommy John Surgery Statue" giveaway on...

The Nationals fixed their bullpen by trading for Oakland relievers Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson. The Chicago Cubs added starter José Quintana, who struck out 12 batters in an 8-0 win against the Orioles in his Cubs debut Sunday at Camden Yards. As the 4 p.m. ET non-waiver trade deadline approaches on July 31, what's next for teams? The Dodgers, battling Washington for the best record in the National League, are looking for a starter and reliever, even though they start the week with a...

The Washington Nationals selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Jacob Turner from Triple-A Syracuse on Monday and transferred right-handed pitcher Koda Glover to the 60-day disabled list. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Turner, 26, returns to the Nationals for his second Major League assignment of the season. He went 2-3 with a 5.08 ERA in 18 games (two starts) during his first stint with Washington. He reported to Triple-A...

Remembrance today for the passing of legendary sports broadcaster Bob Wolff, who died Saturday night at 96, his indelible mark left on D.C. baseball broadcasting forever. Wolff was the first Washington Senators radio and television play-by-play announcer beginning in 1947 all the way to 1961 when the club moved to Minnesota. This New York Times obituary talks about the day he went down to interview a random fan in the stands at Griffith Stadium that turned out to be none other than vice...

We knew it was coming, there wasn't any question about that. We only didn't know when it was coming, whether the Nationals would be able to strike a big deal to address their bullpen early in the summer or whether they would have to wait until the final flurry at the July 31 trade deadline to fix the most glaring hole on their roster. So when it did happen Sunday, it was both surprising and completely predictable, all at the same time. Of course Mike Rizzo and Billy Beane were going to...

It was such a poor start to the second half this past weekend for the Orioles. Swept by the Cubs and three poor starting pitching performances. Maybe the 2017 Orioles are not done, but it feels like they are. They have the time to salvage this season, but they just don't seem like they have nearly enough starting pitching to do so. Growing speculation that the Orioles are considering trading some key players may actually come as exciting news to fans at this point. Many that write on this blog...

There are varying levels of "sellers" in baseball. The Orioles are in the process of seeking their level. They must get approval from ownership before making any significant deals. In the meantime, they'd definitely be willing to move outfielders Seth Smith and Hyun Soo Kim and catcher Welington Castillo. Those are the smaller pieces that don't get as much media attention. Executive vice president Dan Duquette will listen to offers for closer Zach Britton and setup men Brad Brach and Darren...

CINCINNATI - The Nationals have selected the contract of right-hander Jacob Turner, who takes Blake Treinen's spot on the 25-man roster as a long-relief option out of the bullpen. Edwin Jackson is still in line to start Tuesday's game in Anaheim. To create a 40-man roster spot, right-hander Koda Glover has been transferred to the 60-day disabled list. Turner is 2-3 with a 5.08 ERA in 18 games (two starts) for the Nats this year. Glover's move to the 60-day DL is a signal that he's nowhere...

CINCINNATI - A little perspective makes the Nationals' 14-4 thumping of the Reds on Sunday afternoon all that much more enjoyable. First baseman Ryan Zimmerman got the day off, just as manager Dusty Baker had promised. Three regulars - left fielder Jayson Werth, center fielder Michael A. Taylor (who replaced the injured Adam Eaton) and shortstop Trea Turner - remain on the disabled list with no timetables established for their returns. Nats starting pitcher Tanner Roark was desperately trying...