For Nationals fans, one of the most exciting parts about last offseason was the acquisition of Denard Span. The center fielder livened up the Nats lineup, bringing speed to both the outfield and the basepaths. Well, thanks to Cox Communications, you have the chance to meet Span this Saturday, August 10! From 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., Span will be taking pictures with fans at the Cox Solutions Store in Fairfax, Va. Be sure to RSVP today; however, the event is open to all on a first-come,...

With Davey Johnson's tenure at manager coming to an end once the 2013 season is completed, speculation has begun as to whom his replacement will be. One name that has jumped out early is former major league player and current Diamondbacks coach Matt Williams, according to a tweet by baseball writer Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com: Matt Williams is said to be among candidates to replace Davey in washington. #nats http://t.co/ZubaYSFnGb— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) August 8, 2013 Williams,...

The Indians designated Mark Reynolds for assignment this morning and I'm already being asked about the Orioles' level of interest in bringing him back. I have no idea. The ink on the transaction hasn't even dried yet. The Orioles had no interest in picking up his $11 million option over the winter or tendering him a contract and risking an arbitration hearing. But circumstances do change. They're in the market for a right-handed hitter, but Reynolds batted .218/.310/.386 in May,...

Now that the Braves have finished off their second series sweep in D.C. and kept the Nationals from being relevant in the National League East, the Nationals have to turn their attention to making the playoffs as a wild card. And that avenue to October doesn't look good. After getting swept for a second time in D.C. by the Braves this season, the Nationals are nine games behind the Reds for the second wild card spot in the NL. The Diamondbacks are also ahead of the Nationals, who won 98...

When Manny Machado made his debut with the Orioles in 2012, many things changed. The callup from the minors for the then 20-year-old gave the team a much-needed boost in early August and helped push the O's to their first playoff berth in 15 years. The Birds were 60-51 prior to Machado's promotion, but went 33-18 afterwards. At the time, the move was made as a bit of a necessity. The combination of Wilson Betemit and Mark Reynolds at third base was not working out defensively. A solid game...

While I'll admit I wasn't present for the actual bench-clearing brouhaha that went down at Nats Park on Tuesday night, I have to say I for one am glad it happened. Just a couple of weeks ago on this very blog, I was commenting about how this Nationals team doesn't seem to be fighting for their wins this season. Granted, I went on to explain that I don't have clubhouse access so there's no way for me to actually ask the players what their feelings are on how the season's playing out or...

For months now, Nationals players, coaches and front office personnel have countered questions about the team's continued struggles by saying that they have a talented roster and that there was plenty of time left for things to turn and for talent to show through. Well, there's no longer plenty of time left for things to turn. And so far, the talent still hasn't shown through. The Nats have played 114 games, more than 70 percent of their schedule. They've reached their season's low...

You've already seen Jordan Zimmermann's quotes where he denied that he was feeling tightness in his neck, as manager Davey Johnson had indicated. So if it wasn't the neck, why was Zimmermann so off tonight, allowing seven hits, two walks and two runs in just four innings of work? "I had really, really good stuff today," Zimmermann said. "I just either was 0-2 and I let them back in the count or I fell behind 2-0, 3-0 and I had to battle. Get it back to full count, they fouled a few...

A few days ago, MASN replayed Game 2 of the 1983 American League Championship Series. The Orioles defeated the White Sox 4-0 at Memorial Stadium, and Mike Boddicker put on a pitching clinic with 14 strikeouts while going the distance. Sammy Stewart and Tippy Martinez warmed in the bullpen, but it was Boddicker's game. A year later, he would win 20 of them in the regular season. Quick, name the last 20-game winner for the Orioles? If you need a hint, refer to my previous sentence. It...

Right fielder Jayson Werth did all he could to keep the Nationals in their 6-3 loss to the Braves on Wednesday. He hit a game tying two-run shot, which was the first hit for the Nationals against Kris Medlen. He singled and scored the tying run three innings later. He walked in the rally attempt down three in the bottom of the ninth. But it was not meant to be and, in the end, Werth was sitting at his locker contemplating what a three-game sweep at the hands of the first-place Braves means...