Stephen Strasburg's All-Star first half ended with a thud this afternoon. And that might end up keeping him from pitching in Tuesday night's Midsummer Classic in Miami. Strasburg departed after only three innings today, giving up six runs (three earned) to a Braves lineup that has given him fits plenty of times before. Whether his early departure was a due to the comebacker he took off his right hip is not yet known, but it appeared to play some role in the decision. Strasburg already was...

MINNESOTA - Wade Miley wanted the starting assignment today. He didn't beg for it. He didn't stand on top of manager Buck Showalter's desk and pound his chest. But he didn't want to give the appearance that he was hiding from his slump. Give him the ball and another chance. Why stagger into the break when you can strut? Miley came within an out of a defined quality start, holding the Twins to one run, and the Orioles ended their five-game losing streak with a 5-1 victory before an announced...

They haven't made any formal announcement yet, but the Nationals appear to be setting things up for Joe Ross to start Sunday's first-half finale against the Braves. Officially, the Nationals are still deciding between Ross and Tanner Roark for the assignment. "We don't know," manager Dusty Baker said when asked if Ross will make the start. "It just depends on if we might have to use one or the other (today). It'll either be him or Tanner." The insinuation was that the plan could be...

The Orioles have two games to go on what has so far been a winless road trip to Milwaukee and Minnesota. They lost three straight at Milwaukee and have lost back-to-back games at Minnesota by 6-4 and 9-6 scores. Last night, the Orioles led 6-0 in the third inning. The Twins (45-41) are 1 1/2 games behind the division leading-Indians in the American League Central. The Orioles (40-46) are tied for fourth with the Blue Jays in the AL East, now 9 1/2 games back of the Red Sox. The Orioles are five...

MINNESOTA - Chris Tillman is sitting in a major league bullpen today, and not at an All-Star Game or to visit friends and teammates. He's listed with the relievers after returning from paternity leave. Tillman hasn't pitched in relief in a major league game and can't remember the last time it happened in the minors. It was one game at Triple-A Norfolk in 2012 after five at a rookie-level affiliate of the Mariners in 2006. "That's why I'm here," he said. "I threw my bullpen and it went...

MINNESOTA - Infielder Paul Janish is back in limbo. But at least it's close to home. The Orioles designated Janish for assignment this afternoon to create room for pitcher Chris Tillman on the 25-man roster. Tillman came off the paternity list and is available in the bullpen. Janish has multiple outrights and can refuse the assignment if he clears waivers. However, he's likely to stay, as he's done previously. The Orioles want to keep Janish in the organization and start him again at...

The Nationals and Braves resume their four-game series later this afternoon, with Stephen Strasburg on the mound for his final start of the season's first half. Strasburg is headed to the All-Star Game after this, but it'll be interesting to see if he ends up pitching Tuesday night in Miami on only two days' rest. It may depend on how far he goes today. Julio Teheran starts for the Braves, and that typically has been good news for the Nationals (who have had a lot of success against him) and...

MINNESOTA - Jonathan Schoop will make his first major league start at shortstop in this afternoon's game against the Twins. The Orioles have not announced a corresponding roster move for Chris Tillman's return from the paternity list. As I wrote this morning, with Johnny Giavotella starting at second base and Schoop moving to short, the Orioles can remove one of their shortstops. For the OriolesJoey Rickard LFManny Machado 3BJonathan Schoop SSAdam Jones CFMark Trumbo DHTrey Mancini...

The latest chapter during this miserable extended stretch of baseball by the Orioles where no lead is safe and there is seemingly no end to the poor play was written last night. The Orioles led 6-0 after the third inning in Minnesota. By the end of the fifth, they trailed 7-6. They lost 9-6 to fall to 40-46. The Orioles have been outscored 33-13 during an 0-5 road trip that has a chance to get to 0-7. They have lost 30 of the last 45 games. They are 18-36 since they had the best record in the...

MINNESOTA - Orioles manager Buck Showalter had a decision to make. Keep Wade Miley in the rotation and in turn, or reinsert Chris Tillman following his separation from the team for the birth of his daughter. Go with the cold hand or a guy who hadn't been around in almost a week and would be flying into Minnesota late the night before his assignment. Showalter debated whether to put Miley in the bullpen for the weekend and give him a fresh start, instead of today's start, coming out of the...