The Washington Nationals today announced the signing of a two-year Player Development Contract extension (which begins in 2015) with the Potomac Nationals of the Single-A Carolina League through the 2016 season. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo, Nationals Vice President of Player Personnel Bob Boone, Assistant General Manager and Vice President of Player Development Doug Harris and Director of Player Development Mark Scialabba made the joint...

BOSTON - Orioles manager Buck Showalter passed along a favorable update today on shortstop J.J. Hardy. Hardy underwent an MRI on his back that didn't reveal any structural damage. Team orthopedist Dr. Michael Jacobs told Showalter that the result matched the one in April. Nothing has changed to raise concerns in the organization. Hardy received a cortisone injection in the sacroiliac joint that's located in the lower back. Showalter will meet with Hardy during Thursday's off-day in...

Right-hander Jordan Zimmermann will try to win his fifth consecutive decision when the Nationals attempt to take an important September series from the Atlanta Braves tonight at Nationals Park. Zimmermann is 4-0 in nine starts since his last loss, a 6-2 defeat in Philadelphia on July 11. He's 4-0 with a 2.75 ERA in nine second-half starts. He will be opposed by right-hander Ervin Santana. For the Braves CF Emilio Bonifacio2B Phiil Gosselin 1B Freddie Freeman LF Justin UptonRF Jason Heyward 3B...

BOSTON - Ryan Flaherty continues to start at shortstop in place of the injured J.J. Hardy as the Orioles continue their series at Fenway Park against the Red Sox. Right-hander Chris Tillman opposes Boston righty Anthony Ranaudo. For the OriolesNick Markakis RF Alejandro De Aza LF Adam Jones CF Nelson Cruz DH Chris Davis 3B Steve Pearce 1B Nick Hundley C Ryan Flaherty SS Jonathan Schoop 2B Chris Tillman RHP For the Red Sox Mookie Betts CF Daniel Nava RF David Ortiz DH Yoenis Cespedes LF Mike...

BOSTON - Rather than early hitting today, the Orioles are focused on fielding drills involving their new double play combination. Third base coach Bobby Dickerson, who works with the infielders, has been hitting ground balls to shortstop Ryan Flaherty and second baseman Jonathan Schoop. One player fields the ball and the other covers the bag. Flaherty was getting a lot of work to his backhand side. He's also charging balls and throwing on the run. J.J. Hardy, scheduled to have an MRI today on...

The team goal is always most important in professional sports. Personal accomplishments are cool and all, but at the end of the day, players will tell you that batting titles, Gold Gloves and other individual achievements don't mean nearly as much if the team hasn't had success. Professional athletes are still proud, competitive people, however. They want to be put in situations where they can help the team and pull their share of the weight. But now that we're in the final stages of the...

Should we now be referring to Chris Tillman as an ace? Well, it depends on what you mean. In the past, I have found that the most contentious part of the discussion is trying to define what it means to be an ace. Some like to think an ace is the best pitcher on a team, but that definition has some trouble. For example, think about the Diamondbacks with Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson. They certainly were both aces. Others like to think of an ace as being one of the best 30 pitchers in...

On Monday night, the Nationals beat the Atlanta Braves 2-1. It might not seem like that big of a deal, but as each game passes we inch closer to the end of the regular season, with every game taking on additional meaning and importance. The past few seasons, the Braves have stood in the way of the Nats' playoff hopes, as the Phillies once did before they all got old at the same time. The divisional rivalry with the Braves has been studded with losses - particularly late, close losses that...

Could Steve Pearce, the player who has bounced around the major leagues seemingly from team to team in recent years, finally be finding a home wearing orange and black? In the 2012 season, Pearce began spring training with Minnesota and was released. He later caught on with and then was designated for assignment by the Orioles, Astros and Yankees. Heck, this year he was DFAd by the Orioles on April 22 and re-signed on April 29. Now he is a mostly a regular at first base with Chris Davis often...

BOSTON - It doesn't seem that long ago when playing at Fenway Park was excruciating for the Orioles. A cup-splitting kick that doubled them over for days. Not anymore. The Orioles are 19-9 in Boston since Sept. 20, 2011. Overall, they're 32-19 against the Red Sox since 2012. The Orioles have won 11 of their last 15 games since being swept at Wrigley Field. They're 66-14 this season when scoring at least four runs in a game, including 26-1 beginning on July 19. Miguel Gonzalez is pitching...