After the selection of pitcher Jake Johansen Thursday night at pick No. 68, here are thumbnails on the Nationals' next four selections - a pair of right-handers and two third basemen. One of the infielders can also pitch. With pick No. 105, the Nationals selected third baseman Drew Ward from Leedey High School in Oklahoma. The 18-year-old is graduating high school early so he could be eligible for the 2013 draft. Ward is 6-foot-4 and 200 lbs., and played shortstop, but his range would profile...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles have recalled left-hander Mike Belfiore from Triple-A Norfolk to take the roster spot vacated yesterday by outfielder Xavier Avery. Belfiore is in the visiting clubhouse at Tropicana Field and listed among the relievers on the Orioles' lineup card. Belfiore could be optioned on Saturday if the Orioles activate reliever Pedro Strop from the 15-day disabled list. Today's move leaves the Orioles with four left-handers in the bullpen. For the Orioles Nate...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles are taking early batting practice today. Roll call includes Ryan Flaherty, Alexi Casilla, Danny Valencia, Steve Pearce and Taylor Teagarden. Manager Buck Showalter has stepped out of the dugout at Tropicana Field to watch the session. Earlier today, the Orioles optioned backup catcher Chris Snyder to Triple-A Norfolk. Snyder was designated for assignment on Tuesday to make room for Taylor Teagarden on the 25-man roster. Snyder had the right to refuse an...

The Nationals today acquired left-hander Tyler Robertson off waivers from the Twins. The 25-year-old is 2-2 with 6 holds and a 5.54 ERA in 42 career relief apps ('12-13). Robertson has posted a .200 BAA vs. lefthanded batters during his career. He is the son of Nationals Special Assistant to the GM Jay Robertson. Robertson will be optioned to Triple-A Syracuse.

The Nationals have claimed left-handed reliever Tyler Robertson off waivers from the Twins and optioned him to Triple-A Syracuse, the team announced this afternoon. Robertson, 25, is 2-2 with a 5.54 ERA in 42 career big league relief appearances. Drafted by the Twins in the third round of the 2006 draft, Robertson made his big league debut last season and appeared in just two games this year before being designated for assignment earlier this week. Robertson has held left-handed batters to...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Jason Hammel takes the mound tonight at Tropicana Field for the first time since being ejected Saturday afternoon following back-to-back-to-back home runs by the Tigers and a slider that hit Matt Tuiasosopo on the left shoulder. Hammel insisted that he wasn't aiming at Tuiasosopo, and he presented a strong argument just a few inches from the face of plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt. You know who won that argument. In 32 games at The Trop, Hammel is 1-5 with a 5.78 ERA....

Tonight's Nationals-Twins game scheduled to begin at 7:05 p.m. at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., has been postponed due to inclement weather. The team will play a split doubleheader Sunday, June 9 with tonight's make-up game beginning at 7:05 p.m.* The two games against the Twins on June 9 will require separate admission. Fans with game tickets to tonight's postponed contest may use their original tickets for the 7:05 p.m. make-up game on June 9. Those unable to attend the 7:05 p.m....

Davey Johnson was hoping last night's game would get postponed to allow his team to rest and his starting rotation to get aligned in a favorable way. The Nationals skipper was also hoping tonight's game would get rained out, giving his banged-up team another day to rest. Johnson's gotten what he hoped for. Tonight's Twins-Nationals game has been postponed due to inclement weather. No make-up date has been announced as of yet, but the two options appear to be having a doubleheader on...

I have interviewed Gary Rajsich many times since he became Orioles scouting director and you could hear a little extra excitement in his voice late last night when he talked with reporters about the O's top three draft picks. In pitcher Hunter Harvey, they get a kid that already is throwing 91 to 95 mph, and the potential for more is there. When he gets in the O's conditioning and throwing program, he could add weight, strength and velocity like Josh Hader, a high school pitcher they...

Before the decision was made to place him on the disabled list, the questions about Danny Espinosa's injured wrist and shoulder and lack of production at the plate distracted from the fact that he wasn't the only Nationals middle infielder struggling offensively. Over at short, Ian Desmond, who started the month of May at .299/.315/.542 saw his line drop to .261/.295/.448 as a result of a .220/.273/.370 month of May in which he hit six doubles and three home runs while striking out 25 times...