It turns out the rest might have worked out perfectly for Stephen Strasburg. Or maybe he didn't really need it at all. Strasburg twirled eight innings and allowed only one run, becoming the first National League starting pitcher since 1912 to start a season 13-0. The Nationals dropped the Pirates 5-1. Selected to the All-Star Game in his hometown of San Diego, Strasburg sat out of the game to rest and get ready for the second half. Earlier this season, he had been on the disabled list for 17...

Stephen Strasburg skipped the All-Star Game so he could put all of his efforts into pitching tonight's second-half opener. So far, the right-hander is putting that extra preparation to good use. Strasburg has tossed four scoreless innings so far against the Pirates, allowing only one batter to reach base (via walk). It's the third straight start in which he hasn't allowed a hit through his first four innings on the mound. Francisco Liriano has been nearly as sharp himself, retiring the first...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter doesn't expect right-hander Dylan Bundy to require any major adjustments while going from a relief role to Sunday's starting pitcher. Bundy basically has been working on a starter's schedule with the amount of rest between outings. "It was part of the process," Showalter said while explain the decision to start Bundy. "Really, he's not going to be doing a whole lot different than what he's been doing. He's had three or four days...

Dusty Baker thought he had figured out his preferred lineup when the Nationals are facing a left-handed starter, one that included Trea Turner leading off, Michael A. Taylor in center field and Daniel Murphy shifting to first base. But then Murphy had to be scratched from the lineup for tonight's second-half opener against the Pirates, and Baker's master plan had to be thrown out the window. Murphy was scratched due to "general leg soreness," according to the Nationals. Club officials...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles are nearing a decision on reliever Darren O'Day, who threw a bullpen session during Thursday's workout and performed fielding drills this afternoon. O'Day will throw off a mound again Saturday and could be cleared to pitch in simulated games. The Orioles would decide whether to include an injury rehab assignment or activate him from the disabled list. Hyun Soo Kim ran yesterday and still felt some discomfort in his right hamstring. The Orioles could decide...

The Orioles begin the second half tonight at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla., taking on the Tampa Bay Rays in the start of a three-game series. To say the Rays are struggling is an understatement. They have lost six in a row and 10 of 11 games. Since June 16, they are 3-22. During that 25-game stretch, the Rays' team ERA is 5.99 and their bullpen ERA is 7.84. Before this stretch, their team ERA was 4.03 and the bullpen ERA was 3.63. The Rays just lost three in a row to Boston before...

Manager Dusty Baker was asked about the status of right-hander Joe Ross (right shoulder inflammation) and first baseman Ryan Zimmerman (left ribcage strain) during pregame of the first game of the Pirates series. It was the first opportunity to get an update on the progress of the two players since the Mets game on July 10. "Zim's been taking treatment around the clock," Baker said. "Ross has been doing the same. Ross is going to toss tomorrow. He tossed some yesterday. He's getting...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles are working with an eight-man bullpen tonight that includes Ubaldo Jimenez. Jimenez is listed among the relievers for tonight's game against the Rays. The club still hasn't announced a starter for Tuesday night in New York. Left-hander T.J. McFarland is in the clubhouse and the Orioles set up a locker for him, though he may be taking a break from rehabbing in Sarasota. Darren O'Day threw a bullpen session during yesterday's workout and the right leg felt...

The Orioles today announced that they have selected the contract of left-hander Donnie Hart from Double-A Bowie. Hart, 25, was named a 2016 Eastern League All-Star, going 2-0 with a 2.31 ERA (10 ER/39.0 IP), two saves, and 43 strikeouts over 33 games with Double-A Bowie this season. He registered at least one strikeout in 27 of his 33 games and held left-handed hitters to a .158/.200/.211 slash line. In 125 career minor league games, he went 12-6 with a 2.27 ERA (37 ER/146.2 IP), 24 saves,...

With less than two hours remaining before today's 5 p.m. deadline to sign 2016 draft picks, the Orioles reached an agreement with N.C. State first baseman Preston Palmeiro, their seventh-round pick. Palmeiro, the son of former Oriole Rafael Palmeiro, agreed to the slot bonus of $204,700 for that 211th pick. With this agreement, the Orioles have come to terms with their top 13 selections and with 23 of their 25 selections in the first 24 rounds. They have agreements with 33 total draft...