The Nationals bullpen has been knocked around a couple of times in the last week. Fortifying this concern is the ongoing issue of not having a fireballer eighth inning setup man following the departure of Tyler Clippard to the Athletics last season. Casey Janssen is a veteran reliever that certainly works fast, but is more of a finesse pitcher. He has done a good job as the eighth inning guy recently. Manager Matt Williams has mentioned him in that spot a few times in the last week. Janssen has...

PITTSBURGH - With the non-waiver trade deadline exactly one week away, rumors are floating and action and is heating up. In the middle of the Nationals' 7-3 loss to the Pirates last night, MLB Network insider and FoxSports.com's Ken Rosenthal reported that two Reds scouts were in Vermont to put eyes on right-hander Erik Fedde, Washington's first-round selection in the 2014 First-Year Player Draft. Two #Reds officials are watching #Nationals Class A RHP Erick Fedde tonight in Vermont. -- Ken...

PITTSBURGH - Nationals starter Doug Fister has struggled to find consistency this season. The tall righty was battered often and hard from the beginning of tonight's 7-3 loss the Pirates. "It's inexcusable," Fister said. "Starting to get back to feeling better and strong and being able to locate. But missing on too many pitches over the plate. I'm not going for the right pitches at the right time. Not going after them and going with my second or third best pitch. I've just got to...

Can the Orioles regroup and take out their frustrations this weekend on the Tampa Bay Rays? Can they make the idea of being buyers instead of sellers seem like a worthy endeavor? This team is seven games out of first place - its largest deficit in two years - 4 1/2 out of the wild card race and two below .500 for the first time since June 10, when they were 28-30. They've lost 14 of their last 19 games. The ship now looks like the raft in "Cast Away." No one is crying over Wilson Betemit,...

With 68 games to play in the 2015 regular season, it may not be time to punt the season. But it may be time to consider making some changes. The current group has played 94 games and has a losing record. While the Orioles were not healthy for much of this year, they have gotten some players back now and are still not winning. The offense, while producing similar numbers to last year's team overall, is incredibly inconsistent. After averaging 5.3 runs per game in June, the Orioles are at 3.2 in...

PITTSBURGH - It's been a rough start for Doug Fister so far. The right-hander gave up a two-out single to Andrew McCutchen and then was tagged for an RBI triple by Starling Marte in the first. Pedro Alvarez drilled an 87 mph fastball over the left field wall to lead off the second. Francisco Cervelli and Gregory Polanco followed with consecutive singles but Fister battled his way out of the jam. Fister has allowed two runs on six hits with one walk and three strikeouts. He has already thrown...

PITTSBURGH - Anthony Rendon went 3-for-3 with an RBI while playing six innings at third base In Single-A Potomac's 5-1 loss to Frederick last night. The 25-year-old is expected to push it to seven innings tonight again at third base. Rendon's left quad strain sent him to the 15-day disabled list on June 25. He's 7-for-10 (.700) with a double, two walks, one RBI and a run scored in four games over the last week for Potomac. Ryan Zimmerman is down the road from his Nationals teammates playing...

PITTSBURGH - After X-rays were negative yesterday on Yunel Escobar's left wrist and hand, the Nationals sent him for a CT scan of the area, which was also negative. "All results are good so far," Nationals manager Matt Williams said before tonight's game. "It feels better today. (Escobar's) not in the lineup today but he's available, which is a good sign. We'll see what the coming days give us." A CT scan is the test which revealed fractures in Jayson Werth's left wrist after his...

Manager: Kevin Cash (1st season) Record: 48-49 Last 10 games: 5-5 Who to watch: DH Joey Butler (.296 with 6 HR, 21 RBIs), IF Logan Forsythe (.283 with 10 HR, 40 RBIs), 3B Evan Longoria (9 HR, 42 RBIs), RHP Chris Archer (9-7, 2.73 ERA 153 Ks in 128 2/3 IP), RHP Erasmo Ramirez (8-3, 3.54 ERA), RHP Brad Boxberger (24 saves, 3.18 ERA) Season series vs. Orioles: 4-5 Pitching probables: July 24: RHP Chris Tillman vs. RHP Chris Archer, 7:10 p.m., MASN July 25: RHP Miguel Gonzalez vs. RHP Erasmo...

NEW YORK - Start spreading the news. The Orioles are seven games out of first place for the first time since the conclusion of the 2013 season. A 9-3 loss to the Yankees today completed the sweep and pushed the Orioles two games below .500 for the first time since June 10. They've lost 14 of 19, but they're not in a panic. That's just not how they're wired. Asked about the level of frustration and disappointment in the clubhouse, center fielder Adam Jones shot back, "We're not...