Mega-agent Scott Boras is at Nationals Park tonight to take in the Marlins-Nats game, and he held court with reporters during batting practice, talking everything from free agent draft pick compensation to long-term contract ideas for a couple of the Nats' young stars to Danny Espinosa's health. Espinosa is batting just .208 with two home runs, 19 RBIs, 96 strikeouts and 18 walks in 69 games since getting sent down to Triple-A Syracuse in June, this after he had struggled mightily in the big...

The Washington Nationals today recalled right-handed pitcher Ryan Mattheus from Syracuse of the Triple-A International League and optioned left-handed pitcher Xavier Cedeno to Syracuse. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Mattheus is 0-1 with five holds and a 6.26 ERA in 23 games with Washington this season. The 29-year-old allowed just one earned run with three strikeouts (no walks) in 5.1 innings during his five-appearance stint...

The Nationals were hoping that left-hander Zach Duke and right-handed relievers that could get left-handed hitters out would be the answer to the southpaw specialist role in the 2013 bullpen. Things did not turn out the way the team had hoped, at least with 32 games remaining. It is an issue that manager Davey Johnson believes will need to be addressed. He said it is a top concern going forward. "Not having the left-handed presence that we had last year," Johnson said when asked what...

The Nationals made a roster move before today's game, recalling right-hander Ryan Mattheus from Triple-A Syracuse and optioning left-hander Xavier Cedeno to Syracuse. Mattheus was sent down on August 15 after posting a 14.09 ERA in his last 10 games with the Nats, but he allowed just one earned run in his five appearances (spanning 5 1/3 innings) at Syracuse, striking out three and walking none in that time. Mattheus has a 6.26 ERA in 23 big league appearances this season. The roster move...

BOSTON - Wilson Betemit was all smiles today as he passed by reporters and headed to the trainers room inside the visiting clubhouse at Fenway Park. The horrific knee injury in late March that forced Betemit onto the 60-day disabled list is deep in the past. Now, he's ready to contribute at the plate. His first opportunity should come Wednesday night against Red Sox right-hander John Lackey. "It's exciting to get Wilson back. It's been a long road for him," said manager Buck...

The Washington Nationals today recalled right-handed pitcher Ryan Mattheus from Syracuse of the Triple-A International League and optioned left-handed pitcher Xavier Cedeno to Syracuse. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Mattheus is 0-1 with five holds and a 6.26 ERA in 23 games with Washington this season. The 29-year-old allowed just one earned run with three strikeouts (no walks) in 5.1 innings during his five-appearance stint...

Ross Detwiler hasn't pitched in a game since July 3, and it appears unlikely that he'll be back on a mound in a big league game again the rest of this season. Detwiler has been out more than seven weeks with a herniated disc in his back, and while the left-hander was back out at Nationals Park running with resistance bands around his waist and doing drills this afternoon, manager Davey Johnson said that Detwiler probably won't have enough time to work back up to the majors before the season...

The Orioles today announced that they have reinstated infielder Wilson Betemit from the 60-day disabled list and optioned infielder Ryan Flaherty to Class-A Frederick. Betemit, 31, is a career .268/.334/.444 hitter in 2325 plate appearances over 10 major league seasons, including a line of .281/.349/.474 in 1757 plate appearances against right-handed pitching. He was placed on the disabled list on March 31 with a right knee ligament sprain. Betemit batted .290/.353/.339 in 17 minor league...

BOSTON - The Orioles have optioned infielder Ryan Flaherty to Single-A Frederick to make room for Wilson Betemit on the 25-man roster. In 75 games for the Orioles this season, Flaherty hit .218 with eight home runs and 20 RBIs. He can return when rosters expand on Sept. 1. Betemit tore the PCL in his right knee during a March 25 exhibition game against the Red Sox, the team he's most likely going to start against on Wednesday. Betemit is on the bench tonight against left-hander Felix...

On their way to 93 wins and a playoff berth in 2012, the Orioles played very good baseball against the AL East and they have not fared as well within the division this year. The 2012 Orioles played .500 or better ball against every team in the division for the first time since 1970. They posted a .597 win percentage (43-29), their best since 1980. This season the Orioles are 25-25 vs. the American League East, going 6-4 against Boston, 7-5 vs. New York, 6-9 against Tampa Bay and 6-7 vs....