After throwing a bullpen session today and reporting no discomfort in or around his strained lat muscle, Stephen Strasburg has been put on a track to return to the Nationals rotation next Sunday, June 16, the first day that he's eligible to come off the disabled list. Assuming he doesn't report any issues in the coming days, Strasburg will throw a simulated game Tuesday in Colorado, and then would be lined up to pitch next Sunday against the Indians. "He had a great bullpen," manager...

Following the selection of Cody Gunter, the Nationals have made these selections: At No. 226 in the seventh round, the Nationals selected University of Delaware first baseman James Yezzo, the Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year. The 21-year-old Yezzo is 6-foot-1 and 190 lbs., bats left and throws right. Yezzo hit .410 and slugged .714 for the Blue Hens this past season. At No. 256 in the eighth round, the Nationals picked left-hander David Napoli out of Tulane University. The...

Because of Friday night's rainout - thanks, Tropical Storm Andrea - the Twins and Nationals will play a split doubleheader Sunday. You can check out the particulars here, including the times of the games and ticket exchange policies. Now if you're not heading to the (hopefully) sunny shores of the Anacostia on Sunday evening, you'll probably be watching the game on MASN. Because the network wasn't given permission to broadcast the game until Friday evening - long after most television...

The third and final day of the First-Year Player Draft is here. All teams have picks today starting in Round 11 and going through the 40th and last round. So far of the Orioles' 11 picks, they have selected six high school players and five from college. They have taken a total of eight pitchers and catchers and one first baseman, third baseman and outfielder. Among some later round picks that worked out pretty well: Albert Pujols and Jim Thome in round 13, Don Mattingly in round 19, John...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Pedro Strop is listed among the Orioles' relievers on their lineup card today, so he's coming off the disabled list. The lineup doesn't offer any surprises. 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 Chris Dickerson DH Ryan Flaherty 2B Kevin Gausman RHP For the Rays Matt Joyce RF Ben Zobrist 2B Kelly Johnson LF Evan Longoria 3B James Loney 1B Desmond Jennings CF Luke Scott DH Jose...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Orioles left-hander Wei-Yin Chen threw from 120 feet today for the first time since going on the disabled list May 12 with a strained oblique. Chen made 25 throws in the outfield at Tropicana Field, with pitching coach Rick Adair, head athletic trainer Richie Bancells and assistant athletic trainer Brian Ebel paying close attention. Chen made 25 throws at 90 feet before increasing the distance. He finished up with 10 throws at 60 feet and said he felt good. "It's a...

When Nationals second-round pick Jake Johansen went to D.C. to work out for the Nats leading up to the draft, general manager Mike Rizzo and scouting director Kris Kline told him that they viewed him as a starter, which went contrary to what Johansen was hearing from other scouts, who projected him as a reliever at the pro level. That was something that immediately stood out in the 22-year-old's mind. "I logged it away and I was just hoping that the Nationals would be able to get the chance...

For the Orioles scouting staff, the home stretch has arrived. Months of scouting, watching video, talking to coaches and players, and writing reports culminates in what has happened the last two days with the actual drafting of players. Ten rounds of this draft is in the books and the draft concludes today, starting at 1 p.m., with rounds 11 through 40. In an interview last night after day two was in the books, O's scouting director Gary Rajsich looked ahead to today. He said the deeper...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Brian Roberts sat at a table in the visiting clubhouse at Tropicana Field after last night's game, a plate of food in front of him and first baseman Chris Davis sitting to his right. Roberts smiled, nodded and dug his fork into a late dinner as Davis engaged him in conversation. Once again, Roberts was part of the team, even though he wore a sweater and jeans instead of a uniform. Roberts took a break from his rehab in Sarasota to visit teammates, walk around the...

The Orioles announced after tonight's game that they have optioned left-hander Mike Belfiore to Triple-A Norfolk. Belfiore was recalled from Norfolk prior to tonight's game. He was also with the Orioles earlier this season, May 12-13, but did not appear in a game. A corresponding roster move will be announced tomorrow.