HOUSTON - It seems a bit weird, but the Astros are an American League team now, which means the Nationals get to utilize the designated hitter during this brief two-game set in Houston. Tonight, the Nats' DH will be Jayson Werth. Manager Matt Williams will have Nate McLouth play right field tonight, and Kevin Frandsen will play left, replacing Bryce Harper, who will be out for around two months after having surgery to repair a torn ligament in his thumb today. Harper tweeted out this...

HOUSTON - The Nationals announced this afternoon that they've recalled right-handed reliever Ryan Mattheus from Triple-A and optioned right-hander Taylor Jordan to Syracuse. The move almost certainly means that the Nats will go with a four-man rotation for now, skipping what would have been Jordan's turn on Sunday against the Phillies, and they will have an eight-man bullpen with the addition of Mattheus. Off-days in the schedule yesterday and Thursday will allow the Nats to skip...

The Washington Nationals today recalled right-handed reliever Ryan Mattheus from Syracuse of the Triple-A International League and optioned right-handed starter Taylor Jordan to Syracuse. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Mattheus, 30, joins the Nationals after pitching in eight games for Triple-A Syracuse, working in both short relief as well as multi-inning appearances. In 10 innings of work, Mattheus has struck out eight batters...

With an opening on their 25-man roster, the Orioles intend to activate third baseman Manny Machado from the disabled list before tonight's series opener against the Pirates at Camden Yards. Machado packed his bags and left Frederick after the Keys were rained out last night. He's joining the Orioles in Baltimore today. The only glitch in the plan involves the weather. Rain is in the forecast throughout the night and into Wednesday, which could cause at least one postponement at Camden...

Double-A Bowie left-handed pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez is progressing well from a sprained knee. He has been in Sarasota, Fla. the last four days and could potentially return to the Baysox within two weeks. "He's doing well," Orioles director of player development Brian Graham said this morning. "He's throwing and his knee is doing very well. It's just a matter of taking the time to make sure it's 100 percent. "He's going to have a throwing progression prior to coming back to Bowie....

Manager: Bo Porter, second year Record: 9-17 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: SS Jonathan Villar (.234/.289/.468, 11 XBH, 8 RBIs, 4 SB); C Jason Castro (.221/.322/.429, 4 HR, 13 RBIs); RF George Springer (.170/.264/.213, 2 doubles, 2 RBIs); LHP Brett Oberholtzer (0-4, 4.61 ERA, 22 K) Season series vs. Nats (2013): Did not play Pitching probables April 29: Jarred Cosart vs. Gio Gonzalez, 8 p.m., MASN2 HD April 30: Brett Oberholtzer vs. Jordan Zimmermann, 8 p.m., MASN2 HD Series breakdown The...

Manager: Clint Hurdle, fourth year Record: 10-16 Last 10 games: 2-8 Who to watch: CF Andrew McCutchen (.286/.408/.500, 4 HR, 14 RBIs); 2B Neil Walker (.235/.291/.431, 6 HR, 12 RBIs); 3B Pedro Alvarez (.172/.280/.387, 6 HR, 14 RBI); RHP Brandon Cumpton (0-1, 2.57 ERA) Season series vs. O's (2013): Did not play Pitching probables April 29: Charlie Morton vs. Chris Tillman, 7 p.m., MASN HD April 30: Brandon Cumpton vs. Bud Norris, 7 p.m., MASN HD Series breakdown The Pirates were starting to...

Center fielder Michael Taylor announced his presence with a three home run game Sunday for Double-A Harrisburg against Bowie. He went 3-for-4 with three home runs and four RBIs, becoming the first Nationals organizational player to his three homers in one game since Danny Espinosa. Taylor is batting .250 with four doubles, five home runs and 18 RBIs in 22 games. He has struck out 39 times, but has walked 11 times and stolen five bases. He is hitting .351 at home and .170 on the road. Taylor is...

HOUSTON - In the NFL, there's a saying that is used quite frequently when a team has to deal with a key player getting injured. "Next man up," is what coaches, general managers and players will often utter when a valuable contributor heads to the trainer's room. That's a mentality that the Nationals have needed to adopt this season as one player after another has landed on the disabled list for weeks on end. When Wilson Ramos went down, Jose Lobaton and Sandy Leon had to step up and...

Cuban outfielder Dariel Alvarez was signed by the Orioles in the middle of last summer. Now, less than a year later, and after just 44 minor league games, he is flashing some impressive tools and talents for Double-A Bowie and it has been showing up on the stat sheet as well. Going into last night's game, the 25-year-old right-handed hitter had four straight multi-hit games, going 11-for-20 with four doubles, a homer and six RBIs. Alvarez defected from the Cuban national team in January of...