The Nationals can't seem to catch a break. Once again, they will play without once of their most effective hitters with Yunel Escobar sick. "Yunel is feeling terrible," manager Matt Williams said. "He's been feeling bad for a couple days. Today is the worst day." Anthony Rendon will make his seventh start of the season at third base while Danny Espinosa plays second. Espinosa sparked the Nats offense early last night, scoring in the first after ripping a double down the left field...

Unable to work out a trade, the Orioles have released pitcher Bud Norris. He's now free to sign with any club. Norris was designated for assignment on July 31 leading to the non-waiver trade deadline. Norris lost his spot in the rotation and didn't get on track as a reliever, finishing with a 2-9 record, 7.06 ERA and 1.643 WHIP in 18 games, including 11 starts. It was a disappointing transition from the 2014 season, when Norris set a career high with 15 wins and posted a career-low 3.65 ERA...

The Nationals welcome Stephen Strasburg back to the mound tonight. The right-hander was reinstated after landing on the 15-day disabled list back on July 5. Strasburg strained his left oblique the day before in the fourth inning of a start against the Giants. The Nationals look for Strasburg to regain the form he showed before the setback. The 27-year-old was 2-0 with a 1.15 ERA while striking out 18 and walking four across 15 1/3 innings in his prior three starts leading up to his DL stint. To...

The Orioles are pushing back Chris Tillman one more day in the rotation, holding him until Monday night in Seattle. Miguel Gonzalez will start Sunday's series finale in Anaheim. The Angels are sending Jered Weaver to the mound. Tillman is listed as Monday's starter vs. Mariners left-hander Vidal Nuno. Left-hander Wei-Yin Chen opposes Taijuan Walker on Tuesday night and Kevin Gausman opposes Hisashi Iwakuma on Wednesday afternoon. Tillman hasn't pitched since spraining his left ankle on July...

With the return of three starters, players like Danny Espinosa have had to go back to their utility role planned from opening day. Espinosa is extremely valuable because of his defensive ability and has had a pretty good season at the plate. Obviously, he went through a tough period beginning in late June, but despite the loss Friday, had a solid night at the plate. Espinosa went 2-for-4 with a double, two runs and a hit by pitch. On Wednesday, he started at shortstop going 0-4 with a...

The Nationals need a dominant and healthy Stephen Strasburg to return to the mound tonight and remain in the rotation until the final out of the year. Bothered by injuries since spring training and derailed twice by lengthy stints on the disabled list, Strasburg is set to make just his 14th start of the season tonight against the Rockies. Strasburg emerged from his first trip to the DL displaying confidence and command with all of his pitches. He went 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA while striking out 15...

The GEICO Presidents Race at Nationals Park has been a fourth-inning staple at Nationals games since the team returned to D.C. in 2005. One of the best aspects of the race is you never quite know what, or who, you're going to get. There have been many memorable moments in the race over the years: Teddy's first victory, the Easter Bunny's unexpected entrance and the Pirates Pierogies getting a beat down from the Presidents. And last night's race marked the introduction of a new...

With a record of 55-53 now two-thirds into the 2015 season, the Orioles are on a low 80s win pace. That is probably not going to be enough for this team to return to the playoffs. Whatever momentum the Orioles carried out of Oakland didn't show up when they arrived in Anaheim. They lost the series opener 8-4 last night to the Angels. The Orioles have been nothing if not inconsistent this year. From individual players to the team, there always seems to be some area of the team that is very...

Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo made a controversial decision to acquire closer Jonathan Papelbon 10 days ago. The move, before the non-waiver trade deadline, knocked Drew Storen back to the eighth inning, despite his 29 saves. There was a need for backend of the bullpen help coupled with concerns with Storen's mental makeup in October based on postseason mishaps in 2012 and 2014. Storen bristled at the demotion but accepted his new role, dominating in five no-hit shutout appearances....

Unless the unexpected happens, the Orioles figure to keep the same 25-man roster as they head into the second game of their series in Anaheim. They will go a full day without designating anyone for assignment. Was there any doubt that they would make a move yesterday while I was in studio for "The Mid-Atlantic Sports Report?" Sort of like when I'm driving, except I didn't have to pull off the road. I just had to tweet when the camera wasn't on me. We're now waiting to find out what...