A large reason the Nationals enter the second half of the season holding a two game lead in the National League East has to do with the significant contributions of several rookies. Let's take a look at who has been the best of the youngsters so far. 5. Sammy Solis: After undergoing Tommy John surgery and battling several other nagging injuries, the 26-year-old left-hander finally made his major league debut on April 30 at Citi Field. Solis limited the Mets to one hit while striking out one...

To sell or not to sell, that is the question. I don't know if they represent a large percentage of fans or not, but it seems that an increasing number of Orioles fans want the team to sell off players if they start the second half losing as they ended the first. The Orioles are 44-44 - four games out of first place - losing 10 of their last 13 games heading in the All-Star break. They have scored three runs or less in eight of their last 10 games. Last year's Orioles team won 96 games, and...

Nationals left fielder Jayson Werth (left wrist) completed a rehab game last night in high Single-A Potomac's 1-0 loss to Myrtle Beach. Werth went 1-for-2 with a single and a strikeout. He also had to go after a double by Pelicans center fielder Trey Martin in the third inning. Werth played three innings and reportedly everything went well. Manager Matt Williams told "The Junkies" on 106.7 The Fan that Werth would be the designated hitter tonight for five innings, and he expects Werth to...

The break is finally over. The Home Run Derby, the All-Star Game, the workout in Detroit - it's all in the Orioles' rear view mirror. How much longer do we reflect on the first half? The Orioles are taking their 44-44 record to Comerica Park for tonight's series opener against the Tigers. They've lost 10 of their last 13 games to fall four back in the American League East. The Orioles are 17-26 on the road and 15-16 in the first game of a series. They're 12-14 in one-run games, 7-13 in...

The Orioles will host "Birdland Social," a Social Media Night event at Camden Yards on July 28 prior to the 7:05 p.m. game against the Braves. The exclusive pregame party on the center field Roof Deck will host 250 of the Orioles' most engaged social media followers. I'll join former pitcher and current MASN analyst Jim Palmer for a Q&A session with fans, continuing my Hall of Fame tour. Cal Ripken Jr. yesterday, Palmer on July 28. Someone get Brooksie on the phone. Tickets for the...

The Orioles will host "Birdland Social," a Social Media Night event at Oriole Park on Tuesday, July 28, prior to the 7:05 p.m. game against the Atlanta Braves. The exclusive pre-game party on the centerfield Roof Deck will host 250 of the Orioles' most engaged social media followers. The event will include an exclusive question-and-answer session with Baseball Hall of Famer, Orioles legend, and MASN broadcaster Jim Palmer (@Jim22Palmer) and MASNsports.com Orioles writer Roch Kubatko...

Nationals manager Matt Williams has announced how the first three starting pitchers will line up coming out of the All-Star break. The result sets up some of the game's premier pitching matchups of the season as the National League West-leading Dodgers visit Nationals Park this weekend. Right-hander Jordan Zimmermann will square off with Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw on Friday night. Kershaw, a three-time NL Cy Young Award winner and last year's NL MVP, took the loss in Tuesday's All-Star Game...

A day before the Nationals are set to embark on the second half of the season, one of their injured stars is ready to see his first game action in two months. Left fielder Jayson Werth hasn't played since Padres starter Odrisamer Despaigne ran a 92 mph fastball in on Werth that violently struck his left wrist in the second inning of a Nats' 10-0 win in San Diego on May 16. Tonight, Werth begins his minor league rehab stint for Single-A Potomac, where he'll play left field and bat second...

Manager: Don Mattingly (5th season) Record: 51-39 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: 1B Adrian Gonzalez (.283/.355/.520 with 18 HR, 55 RBIs), C Yasmani Grandal (.282/.401/.526 with 14 HR, 36 RBIs), CF Joc Pederson (.230 with 20 HR, 40 RBIs), 2B Howie Kendrick (.292 with 37 RBIs), RHP Zack Greinke (8-2, 1.39 ERA, 0.84 WHIP), LHP Clayton Kershaw (6-6 with 160 strikeouts, 2.85 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (2-4 in 2014) Pitching probables: July 17: RHP Mike Bolsinger vs. RHP Jordan...

The Nationals this morning announced that they have agreed to terms with outfielder Elvis Alvarado, a 16-year-old international free agent from the Dominican Republic. Alvarado is 6-foot-4 and 175 lbs. He profiles as a corner outfielder, said Johnny DiPuglia, the team's director of Latin American operations. Alvarado throws and bats right-handed. "He's got the potential to hit for power and has an above-average arm," DiPuglia said in a team-issued release. This is the Nationals' third...