Now that Ryan Flaherty has been optioned to Triple-A Norfolk, the Orioles will make the other half of the roster move official this morning and activate second baseman Jonathan Schoop from the disabled list. Schoop finally will be reunited with double play partner J.J. Hardy. It remains to be seen how much of an immediate impact he's going to have on an offense that's again scuffling to score runs. He's back in the big leagues now, not raking against Eastern League and Carolina League...

The Orioles' inconsistent offense is in another down cycle. The Orioles had not scored - or even had an extra-base hit - in 26 consecutive innings until Manny Machado's two-run home run in the eighth inning on Saturday. Machado's 50th career homer produced a 2-2 tie, but the O's quickly fell behind and lost 3-2 to Chicago. So they've lost their last three games by scores of 2-0, 1-0 and 3-2. They've allowed six runs and lost all three games. Over their last four games, O's starters have...

The Orioles have optioned infielder Ryan Flaherty to Triple-A Norfolk and are expected to activate second baseman Jonathan Schoop from the disabled list for Sunday's series finale against the White Sox. Schoop joined the team in Chicago and was in the dugout for today's 3-2 loss at U.S. Cellular Field. His injury rehab assignment ended after Friday night's game at Single-A Frederick. Schoop will start at second base on Sunday against White Sox rookie left-hander Carlos Rodon. He was 9-for-34...

The Orioles today announced that they have optioned infielder Ryan Flaherty to Triple-A Norfolk. Flaherty, 28, has hit .248/.328/.386 with six doubles, three triples, three home runs, and 20 RBI over 51 games, including 45 starts at second base, with the Orioles this season.

The Orioles scoreless streak came to an end today, but their losing streak did not. Moments after a game-tying homer in the eighth by Manny Machado, Chicago got the lead back in their half of the inning to beat the Orioles 3-2 this afternoon. The Orioles have lost three in a row and five of six, and reach the season's midpoint at 42-39. The Orioles went to the top of the eighth down 2-0 and had not scored a run over their last 26 innings since Wednesday night. But Sox starter Jeff Samardzija...

If ever there was a day for Stephen Strasburg to re-establish himself as one of the game's premier pitchers, it was today. Strasburg took the mound and faced World Series MVP Madison Bumgarner in front of his critics on the Fourth of July. Michael A. Taylor and Bryce Harper slugged first-inning homers to the give Strasburg and the Nationals an early 3-0 lead against the Giants ace. But in the fourth, an injury once again interrupted one of Strasburg's starts. Matt Duffy grounded out to start...

The Fourth of July celebrations have become a tradition at Nationals Park. We've become accustomed to taking in the holiday with a United States-shaped flag in the outfield and the Nationals' special uniforms. But Bryce Harper took it one step further this year. Harper used a patriotic bat, featuring stars and strips with the D.C. skyline. In his first at-bat with the lumber, Harper smashed a two-run home run to extend the Nationals' lead to 3-0. He went on to go 3-for-4 with two RBIs,...

The message from Bryce Harper and the Nationals was clear: Happy birthday, America! The Nationals dropped the Giants 9-3 on Independence Day thanks to a huge first inning, highlighted by a two-run line drive home run from Harper, his 25th round-tripper of the season. Harper, donning plenty of patriotic colors in his uniform, swung a special star-spangled bat. He took the third offering from San Francisco left-hander Madison Bumgarner quickly over the right field fence on a rope. The two-run...

Single-A Delmarva shortstop Jared Breen was hospitalized after he ran into a wall near the stands chasing a foul ball in the first inning Friday night. Observors say Breen hit the wall very hard on the game's fourth pitch and was down for a long time before he was transported to a Salisbury, Md. hospital, and he has since been moved to Baltimore. The 24-year-old Breen suffered a fractured right knee cap, broken orbital bone and a concussion in addition to other lesser injuries. A 24th-round...

For the third time this year, Stephen Strasburg has left a start early due to injury. Strasburg appeared to be favoring his left side after throwing a first-pitch fastball to Giants first baseman Brandon Belt with two outs in the fourth inning. Nationals manager Matt Williams, pitching coach Steve McCatty and head athletic trainer Lee Kuntz quickly came out of the dugout to check on Strasburg. After a brief huddle, the decision was made to end Strasburg's afternoon with the Nationals leading...