After a rain delay of 1 hour, 21 minutes, Nathan Karns stepped on the mound at Nationals Park for the first time. It couldn't have been easy for the 25-year-old to have waited for his major league debut to begin while rain poured down here in D.C. He had to be jacked up as all get-out, but the wait is now over. If Karns was too juiced up in the first inning of his debut, it didn't show. Wearing No. 57 and facing Nate McLouth to open things up, Karns toed the rubber, turned into his smooth,...

WASHINGTON - We're still in a rain delay at Nationals Park. It was pouring a few minutes ago, but the intensity has lessened. That doesn't mean we're close to starting tonight's game. Rain continues to fall and there was thunder and lightning earlier, but the grounds crew is sweeping water off the tarp. Orioles reliever Tommy Hunter told reporters earlier today that his right hand feels better, though he's still got some soreness, and he could probably pitch tonight if needed. "It's...

WASHINGTON - Orioles backup catcher Taylor Teagarden caught five innings yesterday at extended spring training and served as the designated hitter today. He will catch seven innings on Wednesday and head out on an injury rehab assignment. "He's coming along real well, so that's encouraging," said manager Buck Showalter. Teagarden could be activated from the 15-day disabled list next week. Second baseman Brian Roberts is hitting off a tee and increasing his baseball activity in Sarasota,...

News that noted orthopedic surgeon Dr. Lewis Yocum died Saturday of cancer was greeted by sadness in the Nationals clubhouse before Tuesday night's game against the Orioles. Dr. Yocum had performed Tommy John ligament replacement surgery on Nats pitchers Stephen Strasburg and Jordan Zimmerman, consulted last winter on second baseman Danny Espinosa's shoulder injury and was a presence in the Los Angeles Angels clubhouse when right-hander Dan Haren pitched in Anaheim. "He's been unbelievable...

Second baseman Danny Espinosa, who has not played since May 22 while rehabilitating what was discovered to be a broken right wrist, took batting practice and participated in fielding drills before Tuesday's game against the Orioles. If all goes well, and he experiences no setbacks, Espinosa expects to be cleared to play Wednesday when the interleague series moves to Baltimore for two games. "It's calmed down, it feels good," he said before taking BP. "I think the doctor will be here in a...

Right-hander Nathan Karns will make his major league debut tonight with the Nationals, starting against the Baltimore Orioles. Karns has a 4-2 record in nine starts this season for Double-A Harrisburg, with an ERA of 4.60. Karns had a couple of games where he was hit pretty hard. His troubles stemmed from a mechanical issue that has since been worked out. My sources in Harrisburg tell me Karns is a "competitor" and won't be "bothered by the situation." He throws a mid-90s fastball, a...

The Washington Nationals recalled right-handed pitcher Nathan Karns from Harrisburg of the Double-A Eastern League and optioned left-handed pitcher Xavier Cedeno to Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Karns is scheduled to make his Major League debut tonight when Washington hosts Baltimore at Nationals Park. The 25-year-old went 4-2 with a 4.60 ERA in nine starts this...

WASHINGTON - Yamaico Navarro is starting again at second base tonight, as the Orioles conclude their two-game series with the Nationals before starting a new one Wednesday night at Camden Yards. Tommy Hunter said his right hand feels fine. An X-ray taken yesterday came back negative. For the Orioles Nate McLouth LF Manny Machado 3B Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Yamaico Navarro 2B Kevin Gausman RHP For the Nationals Denard Span CF Steve...

Right-hander Nathan Karns takes the hill for his first major league start tonight. Here is the Nationals lineup for tonight's 7:05 p.m. game against the Orioles, who send rookie right-hander Kevin Gausman to the mound for his second major league start. For the Orioles LF Nate McLouth 3B Manny Machado RF Nick Markakis CF Adam Jones 1B Chris Davis C Matt Wieters SS J.J. Hardy 2B Yamaico Navarro P Kevin Gausman For the Nationals CF Denard Span 2B Steve Lombardozzi 3B Ryan Zimmerman 1B...

WASHINGTON - The Orioles lead the all-time series against the Nationals 24-19, going 13-8 in Baltimore and 11-11 in Washington (3-3 at RFK Stadium and 8-8 at Nationals Park) since the franchise was relocated from Montreal in 2005. Manny Machado has posted at least three hits in eight road games this year, the most in the majors. Jed Lowrie and James Loney had collected three hits in seven road games. According to STATS, the Orioles are hitting .300 on the road in May, their highest road...