FREDERICK, Md. - So Manny Machado took a big step toward returning to the Orioles, while Chris Davis left last night's game after four innings with a strained left oblique. Just another Friday night with the Baltimore Orioles. If you would have seen the amount of rain that fell on Harry Grove Stadium late yesterday afternoon, you would have been surprised, maybe shocked, they were able to play baseball there by 8 p.m. The Keys staff did an amazing job getting that field ready to play and...

Nationals catcher Jose Lobaton said it was difficult to get to know Stephen Strasburg early in the season. But now that they have had three or four games working together, they are slowly building chemistry and trust. That bonding played an important role in Strasburg's seven innings of shutout ball in an 11-1 victory over the Padres on Friday night. "First time, it was kind of like I don't know how to go and talk to him in the dugout. He is a quiet guy, he likes to be alone," Lobaton...

You hear ballplayers say it all the time. One of the best things about this game is that regardless of what happens one night, you get to come right back the next night and try all over again. On Thursday, the Nationals went 0-for-16 with runners in scoring position. They left 14 men on base. They dropped a tough 12-inning game to the Padres. On Friday, the Nats showed up, tossed on the unis and pounded the ball all over the yard. They smacked 17 hits. They plated 11 runs. They went 7-for-17...

Nationals manager Matt Williams said his team's strategy of working to get as many men on base as ppossible was a key an 11-1 victory over San Diego, even if they struggled with runners in scoring position in their Thursday extra-inning loss. "The theme is the same as it always is," Williams said. "We just try to give ourselves as many opportunities as we can. I think Anthony (Rendon) and (Ian) Desmond certainly set the tone tonight. Taking the ball the other way against a left-hander...

Despite the 11-1 romp over the Padres tonight, Nationals fans were probably holding their breath for much of the evening after Bryce Harper had to leave the game after four innings with an apparent injury. After the game, however, manager Matt Williams provided some good news, given the circumstances: Harper suffered a jammed left thumb when he slid into third base on a third-inning bases-clearing triple. X-rays on Harper's thumb came back negative, and while the Nats will re-evaluate Harper...

As expected, the Orioles have optioned left-hander T.J. McFarland to Triple-A Norfolk and will announce a corresponding roster move on Saturday. They need an extra position player after first baseman Chris Davis strained his left oblique muscle tonight. McFarland allowed one run and five hits in three innings tonight. He threw 45 pitches and was the logical candidate to be sent down. McFarland posted a 2.25 ERA in two appearances since being recalled on Tuesday. The Orioles could bring up an...

Following Friday's game, the Orioles announced that they have optioned left-hander T.J. McFarland to Triple-A Norfolk. McFarland, 24, posted a 2.25 ERA (4.0IP, 1ER) in two appearances with the Orioles since being recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on April 22. The southpaw worked 3.0 innings in relief tonight, allowing one run on five hits. A corresponding move will be announced tomorrow.

Orioles first baseman Chris Davis walked to his locker after tonight's 5-0 loss to the Royals and had a little fun with the much-anticipated injury update. "Forty-eight to 65 weeks," he said, a familiar grin creasing his face. Davis exited the game after four innings with a strained left oblique, but he didn't seem overly concerned about it. "It's cold right now," he said. "Obviously, came out of the game and got treatment. Watched the rest of the game and got another round of...

FREDERICK, Md. - After getting three extra-base hits in four at-bats tonight for Single-A Frederick, Manny Machado was quite pleased with his first rehab game. But despite coming up with two doubles, a triple and two runs scored and hitting all three balls hard, Machado did not pronounce himself ready for a quick return to the major leagues. "You know, this is something, if I would have hit four home runs I'm not going to go tomorrow to play in the big leagues," Machado said. "That's not...

Nationals left fielder Bryce Harper appeared to jam his left wrist while sliding into third base on a three-run triple in the third inning against the San Diego Padres on Friday night. MASN television replays showed Harper holding his left wrist and flexing his left hand after the play. He stayed in the game for the fourth inning, but was replaced by Nate McLouth in left field to begin the fifth inning. Harper left the game after going 2-for-2 with a single, a triple, one run scored and a...