Double-A Harrisburg left-hander Matt Purke has had a tough start to the season, but the Nationals have no immediate intention of removing him from the starting rotation, a team source told MASNSports.com. They also confirm Purke's shoulder is fine. Purke was a third-round 2011 selection for the Nationals who missed most of the 2012 season because of a shoulder injury. He had left shoulder surgery in August of that season and pitched in 18 games in 2013 between high Single-A Potomac and the...

Manager Matt Williams is excited at the prospect of getting three starters back by the end of the week. He got one back Monday. Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos (hand) started for Double-A Harrisburg on Monday night. Scott Hairston (oblique) was activated off the disabled list before Monday's opener against the Dodgers. Doug Fister (lat) is expected to make his Nationals debut Friday night at Oakland. But Williams would like it even more if no one else gets hurt for a little while. "We just...

The Dodgers come into town for a three-game series with the Nats, who are trying to take advantage of a struggling Braves squad which has dropped its last six games. The Nationals currently sit a half-game out of first in the National League East, and look to end a two-game skid of their own. For the Nationals: CF Denard Span 3B Anthony Rendon RF Jayson Werth 1B Adam LaRoche SS Ian Desmond 2B Danny Espinosa LF Nate McLouth C Sandy Leon P Jordan Zimmermann Dodgers star Yasiel Puig will miss...

The Orioles could be poised to make another roster move. Left-hander T.J. McFarland has been scratched from tonight's scheduled start for Triple-A Norfolk. He was supposed to take the mound in Louisville, but may be headed to St. Petersburg, Fla., where the Orioles begin a three-game series Tuesday night at Tropicana Field. Nick Additon is taking McFarland's turn tonight. The Orioles optioned McFarland to Norfolk on April 25 to create room for infielder Jemile Weeks. He must stay down for...

The Nationals this afternoon activated outfielder Scott Hairston (strained left oblique) from the 15-day disabled list. He'll be in uniform and available for tonight's opener of a three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Nationals Park. To make room for Hairston on the 25-man roster, outfielder Steven Souza Jr. was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse. In two stints with the Nats this season, Souza has gone 1-for-8 (.125). Hairston was placed on the DL on April 6, a day after injuring...

Left-hander Johan Santana threw two innings in an extended spring training start this afternoon, allowing one hit and striking out four. The best news to come out of the 28-pitch outing in Sarasota was that Santana hit 87-89 mph with his fastball, which is better than the 84-87 mph he was clocked at in the simulated game that preceded today's effort. Orioles manager Buck Showalter and pitching coach Dave Wallace drove from St. Petersburg, Fla., on the club's off-day to watch Santana's...

Major League Baseball today announced the 31 winners of the 2014 Honorary Bat Girl Contest that recognizes baseball fans who have been affected by breast cancer and demonstrate a commitment to eradicating the disease. The winner of the Honorary Bat Girl Contest for the Orioles is Debra Nelson, who will be recognized in a pre-game ceremony at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Sunday, May 11. Nelson will be honored during an on-field ceremony, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch, and will...

With an off day today for the Orioles in the majors, here is a quick look at the four Orioles minor league affiliates and how they are faring so far. * Triple-A Norfolk is 10-19 * Double-A Bowie is 15-14 * Single-A Frederick is 12-15 * Single-A Delmarva is 13-16 Norfolk was averaging just 3.5 runs per game and then scored 24 runs on 28 hits in two wins on Friday and Saturday over Scranton. On Sunday, though, the Tides suffered a 16-2 blowout loss to Scranton. Suk-min Yoon got hit hard in that...

Last week, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reported that the Orioles and free agent first baseman/designated hitter Kendrys Morales remained in negotiations. Those ongoing talks allegedly had agreed on the framework of a one-year deal, but differed greatly on the price. In response to that report, Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette said on SiriusXM Radio that the report is overblown. He further clarified noting that the improvement of Chris Davis' injured oblique (he was doing field...

Washington Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman will once again host “A Night at the Park,” presented by MASN Sports at Nationals Park on Monday, June 16. The fifth annual fundraising event for the ziMS Foundation will feature performances by country music stars Billy Currington and Jerrod Niemann. The evening includes an expanded concert experience, powered by Live Nation, along with silent and live auction featuring one-of-a-kind items and experiences. Nationals Park will again be...