The Orioles today announced that they have reinstated right-hander Bud Norris from the 15-day DL and designated right-hander Julio DePaula for assignment. Norris, 29, was placed on the disabled list, retroactive to June 22, with a right groin strain. He has gone 7-5 with a 3.62 ERA (87.0IP, 35ER) in 14 starts for the Orioles this season. DePaula, 31, had his contract selected yesterday and did not pitch in last night's game. He has not allowed a run in three appearances with Double-A Bowie...

WASHINGTON - The Nationals announced that the start of tonight's game against the Orioles will be delayed due to approaching inclement weather. The Orioles have activated Bud Norris from the disabled list and designated reliever Julio DePaula for assignment. Orioles manager Buck Showalter now has a reason to watch Monday night's Home Run Derby as he relaxes at home. The sound may be turned down on his television, but he's going to check it out. Center fielder Adam Jones will be a...

WASHINGTON - Orioles center fielder Adam Jones has accepted an invitation to participate in the Home Run Derby on Monday that's held the night before the All-Star Game at Target Field in Minnesota. Jones, who's hit 16 home runs in 89 games this season, checked with manager Buck Showalter before agreeing to it. The invitation came from American League team captain Jose Bautista. Nelson Cruz, who leads the majors with 28 homers in 88 games, turned down an invitation to compete in the...

Major League Baseball, Target, and People announced today the 30 winners in the "Target Presents People All-Star Teachers" campaign, which celebrates remarkable current and retired teachers who make an impact on the lives of their students and communities. Baltimore native Thomas Arentz has been selected by fans to represent the Orioles. Arentz, an English and Latin teacher at Sparrows Point High School, has impacted students through guidance and support over his 16-year career. Arentz has...

Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper went 0-for-3 Monday in the loss to the Orioles. He has gone just 3-for-20 (.150) in the past six games with 10 strikeouts. On Monday, Harper popped out, flew out to center field, struck out looking and was walked twice (once intentionally) in five plate appearances. Manager Matt Williams said during Tuesday's pregame meeting with the media that he saw something in Harper's approach last night that gives him hope that Harper might be able to come out of this...

The Orioles begin tonight leading the American League East by three games with a 49-40 record. Tonight presents a chance to go a season-best 10 games over the .500 mark. The Orioles were last 10 games over .500 at 80-70 on Sept. 17, 2013. Looks like the Orioles are, at least temporarily, done with their win one, lose one mode. They have won seven of the last eight games and 12 of 17. They are 23-13 since May 31. Tonight at Washington, Bud Norris (7-5, 3.62 ERA) returns from the disabled list...

WASHINGTON - The Orioles may wait until after batting practice to announce today's roster move. Bud Norris is being activated from the disabled list and starting against the Nationals. Reliever Julio DePaula, whose contract was purchased yesterday from Double-A Bowie, is expected to come off the 25-man roster. DePaula is listed among the relievers on the lineup card, but a name must be subtracted. Manager Buck Showalter likes to check on his relievers and see how everyone makes it through...

The Nationals send right-hander Doug Fister to the mound against the Orioles tonight, hoping for a split in the two-game D.C. portion of the Battle of the Beltways. Fister is 3-2 with a 5.30 ERA in six lifetime starts against Baltimore. The Nats are hoping he'll pitch more in line with his 2014 numbers: a 7-2 mark with a 2.93 ERA in 11 starts. He will face right-hander Bud Norris, who is being activated off the disabled list today after missing time with a groin issue. Here are the lineups for...

WASHINGTON - Bud Norris is coming off the disabled list tonight and making his first start since June 21, as the Orioles and Nationals conclude their two-games series in D.C. The teams will meet up at Camden Yards on Wednesday to begin another two-game set. The Orioles have won three in a row, scoring 22 runs in the process. They've played 41 innings in their last four games. For the first time in team history, the Orioles hit at least three home runs in the 10th inning or later....

You might hold the belief that the Battle of the Beltways isn't really a rivalry, despite some who try and portray it that way. And frankly, you might be right. It's not like the Nationals have Orioles games on in the clubhouse and monitor Buck Showalter's club on a daily basis. It's not as if Ryan Zimmerman and Chris Davis dislike each other just because these two organizations make their homes 45 minutes from each other. But rivalry or not, I'd find it tough to argue that the Battle of...