Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy is out of tonight's lineup with tightness in his calf. Hardy felt the calf tighten up shortly before last night's rain delay. He received treatment and noticed improvement after taking the field again. Hardy was fine earlier today, but the calf stiffened as he did some running. "I just kind of made the decision we're going to back off it today," said manager Buck Showalter. "Also, with the weather tomorrow, to have the potential to potentially have two days....

Washington Nationals Homestand Highlights vs. Miami Marlins (April 9-10) & Atlanta Braves (April 11-14) SATURDAY, APRIL 9 * Ryan Zimmerman Field dedication: On Saturday, District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser, Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman, the Washington Nationals Dream Foundation and representatives from Under Armour will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony to dedicate the brand new Ryan Zimmerman Field at Randall Recreation Center in Southwest D.C. The field will serve the...

After hitting his first career home run in last night's win against the Twins, Joey Rickard is back in the leadoff spot and in center field as the Orioles open a three-game series with Tampa Bay. Adam Jones spoke earlier in the clubhouse and said he is feeling better and hopes to return to the lineup this weekend, but doesn't feel a huge sense of urgency given the success of Rickard and Nolan Reimold. Tonight's lineup features another twist, however. Manny Machado will slide over to the...

Orioles center fielder Adam Jones isn't in tonight's lineup for the series opener against the Rays. However, he says that he's feeling much better and expects to play this weekend. Jones sat out last night's game with soreness in his rib area. Rule 5 pick Joey Rickard played center field and Nolan Reimold was in left. "Good. A lot better than yesterday," he said today while sitting at his locker. "Just going to make sure that it's right. Take another day and see how it feels. It's...

It's only three games, and that caveat must be expressed before going any further. If the same results occurred over three games in May or June or August, you'd never bat an eyelash because it would be hidden among the player's broader performance of the season. Now, having made that disclaimer, there's no debating the Nationals' biggest concern at this very early stage of the season: Jayson Werth and Michael A. Taylor's 0-fers. Both outfielders have opened the season 0-for-11. Both have...

First baseman Ryan Zimmerman has used his bat, his legs and his athletic ability on defense to get off to a good start in this new season's first week. Wednesday night, Zimmerman scored the Nationals' first run, tying the game on a grounder off the bat of Wilson Ramos. Running on the pitch, Zimmerman scored from second thanks to a poor relay throw from first to home. Zimmerman dove head first into the plate and was safe. Some fans might have cringed on the play, remembering Zimmerman injuring...

With his lost season in the Washington Nationals' bullpen in 2015 behind him, Tanner Roark entered spring training on a mission. He wanted to return to the starting rotation. Roark told his new manager as much early in the process. "It was short," Roark said of the conversation with Dusty Baker this spring. "I told you guys once before that I wanted to start and I'm telling you guys again that I want to start, and I feel like I'm a competitor on the mound and I know that the fight inside...

Last year, the Orioles went 0-7 against Minnesota and this season they are 3-0 after a three-game sweep. Last year, the Orioles went 38-45 in one and two-run games. This year they are 3-0 in such games. The Orioles pitched well and won three close games against the Twins, coming from a 2-0 deficit to win last night 4-2. The Orioles are the only 3-0 team in the American League. Dating to last season, they have an eight-game winning streak. O's pitchers allowed just two runs in each game and the...

I returned to Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday evening after a visit to my beloved hometown in Baltimore. It's never easy to leave. It was soothing to listen to the Orioles radio broadcast that night as I prepared dinner in my house away from home. I haven't lived in the Baltimore area for nearly a decade now, but no matter how far I go, the Orioles always bring me closer to home. There are seemingly endless love songs expressing the sentiment that the object of one's affection feels like...

During his playing days, Cal Ripken Jr. would change stances about as often as manager's change their lineups. Or their socks, if Ripken was slumping or trying to compensate for a sore back. J.J. Hardy isn't trying to uphold a tradition among Orioles shortstops, but he's been known to experiment, too. While Ripken might bend more at the knees or straighten up, Hardy is known more to adjust his hands. Check out what he's doing so far this week. Hardy has lowered his hands again, which many...