The Nationals chose to option right-handed rookie Joe Ross to Triple-A Syracuse to make room for Stephen Strasburg's return from the 15-day disabled list this afternoon. Nationals manager Matt Williams said Ross "seriously opened eyes" during his first stint in the big leagues. The 22-year-old Ross made the jump from Double-A Harrisburg for his major league debut on June 6 at Nationals Park. He allowed three runs on six hits with four strikeouts and no walks in five innings. In fact, Ross...

As the Orioles arrive at Fenway Park and play at a stadium where they've had success the last few years, they will be greeted by a Red Sox team that has put up some big offense lately. Boston may be in last place in the American League East at 31-40, but in winning four of six, the Red Sox have scored 40 runs. They have plated 66 runs the last 11 games. In Sunday's 13-2 win over Kansas City - Boston scored 24 runs in taking two of three in that series - the Red Sox had 13 extra-base...

The Washington Nationals welcome a healthy Stephen Strasburg back to the mound tonight in the series opener against the Atlanta Braves. It's Strasburg's first start in the majors since May 29 when he lasted only 16 pitches after experiencing neck tightness following the first inning. The next day Strasburg landed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left trapezius muscle, but the 26-year-old said later that those muscle spasms subsided rather quickly and he was able to resume throwing...

The marketing of Bryce Harper? You better get in line. News broke Monday that Nationals right fielder will be featured in the upcoming ESPN The Magazine Body Issue. On Tuesday during pregame with the media, Harper said he was thrilled to be included in the offseason shoot and it was actually something he had hoped to be asked to do. "Very excited, very happy to be a part of that," Harper said. "It's something I dreamed about since I was younger. It's very cool thing for athletes to show...

Adam Jones could be inching closer to the disabled list. Jones is out of the Orioles lineup tonight for the fifth time in the last seven games. He hasn't played center field since June 15 due to a sore right shoulder, serving twice as the designated hitter. Yesterday's off-day didn't alleviate the problem. Update: Jones told reporters in Boston that he's confident he will avoid the DL, but he may not play before Friday. That's the word on Twitter. David Lough is starting in center field...

The Washington Nationals returned from rehab and reinstated right-handed pitcher Stephen Strasburg from the 15-day disabled list on Tuesday and optioned right-handed pitcher Joe Ross to Triple-A Syracuse. Strasburg will start for the Nationals on Tuesday night vs. Atlanta. President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Strasburg returns to the Nationals after missing 21 games due to neck tightness. The right-hander, who tossed 5.0 innings in his lone...

There's been a lot of talk lately about the voting process for the upcoming All-Star Game, and how the Kansas City Royals are monopolizing it. I've written about it on Birds Watcher, you've heard about it here on MASNsports.com, and as well on numerous other outlets. Let me be only the latest person to say that the entire scenario is a poor one - both for players and for baseball as a whole. There's a part of me that does, however, see the point that the Royals fans aren't doing anything...

Stephen Strasburg returns to the mound tonight for the first time since a strained left trapezius muscle landed him on the 15-day disabled list on May 30. The day before, Strasburg's neck tightness forced him out of his start in Cincinnati after throwing only 16 pitches. He said the muscle spasms settled down shortly after and he began throwing again just a few days into his DL stint. Strasburg looked sharp in his lone rehab start at Double-A Harrisburg last Wednesday. He allowed one run on...

Between 1860 and 1869, a most improbable venture would change the landscape of America and the world. The building of a transcontinental railway had long been discussed, but many felt the task impossible. Abraham Lincoln believed such a line was necessary to the growth of the United States and the ability of the country to control the vast Midwest and West. Stephen Ambrose's "Nothing Like It In the World" is the story of the construction of that line and how it altered history. As with all...

Last offseason, Nationals fans were expecting the team to make a big move for a second baseman, after Asdrubal Cabrera left in free agency and people thought Danny Espinosa's hitting troubles would continue. Instead, the Nats were part of a blockbuster three-team deal that landed them a shortstop prospect and a pitching prospect. On Dec. 17, the Tampa Bay Rays acquired Rene Rivera, Burch Smith, Jake Bauers, Steven Souza Jr. and Travis Ott. The San Diego Padres got Gerardo Reyes, Jose Castillo,...