Outfielder Xavier Avery's stay with the Orioles was an extremely short one. The Orioles optioned Avery to Triple-A Norfolk following today's 3-1 victory over the Astros. A corresponding move will be announced on Friday. Avery was recalled today, sat on the bench and packed up his belongings. The Tides are in Louisville. The Orioles are headed to Tampa. Avery began the season with Double-A Bowie, where he batted .300/.391/.406 with 34 runs scored and 12 stolen bases in 39 games. He's...

One day after their pitchers allowed six homers and 11 runs, Miguel Gonzalez today restored some pitching order for the Orioles. Gonzalez gave up just one run over six innings, outpitching Houston No. 1 starter Bud Norris, as the Orioles beat the Astros 3-1 at Minute Maid Park. The Orioles take the series, two wins to one, to improve to 7-3 on the year in games that decide a series and 34-26 overall through 60 games. Gonzalez allowed five hits with one walk and seven strikeouts. He threw 95...

The swelling in Bryce Harper's left knee has not subsided since he was placed on the disabled list on Saturday, and in search of a second opinion on what's ailing the 20-year-old outfielder, the Nationals are sending Harper to renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews. Harper has been diagnosed with bursitis in his left knee, but he hasn't played since May 26, and the knee has not improved much in that span. The knee started swelling up again after Harper did some jogging in a pool,...

Manager Davey Johnson said left-hander Ross Detwiler felt good today after yesterday's bullpen session, and he's been given the green light to go on a rehab assignment. Detwiler, on the disabled list with a back strain, will pitch for high Single-A Potomac Nationals on Saturday night against the Frederick Keys in Woodbridge, Va., at Pfitzner Stadium. "He is doing fine," Johnson said. "He is on target to pitch in Potomac on (June) 8th. He will be limited to 40 to 50 pitches. That should...

The Orioles placed one pitcher on the disabled list today. They didn't need to lose another one. Miguel Gonzalez stayed in the game after J.D. Martinez's sharp bouncer struck his left forearm with two outs in the sixth inning. Martinez reached base and Gonzalez reached for his left arm, flexing his hand as head athletic trainer Richie Bancells came out to the mound. At least he didn't reach for the ball with his bare hand. Gonzalez retired Carlos Pena on a fly ball to center field and was...

As the First-Year Player Draft is set to begin tonight, here are a few things to keep in mind. For one, teams seldom draft for need in the first round. The baseball draft is mostly about what a player can become in the future and not how he can help you now, or maybe even next year. Some players can get to the majors faster, but it's mostly about taking the best player when you pick and less about taking a player that can get there the fastest. For two, the draft rules changed last year. As...

Although my baseball-playing days began and ended at a young age, I'll never forget the time my parents handed me my first glove and T-ball bat. While I never lit up the infield or threw a no-no, I'm certain that the beginning of my baseball enthusiasm began the first time I tried on my glove. Whether it's someone like me or a major league player like Ryan Zimmerman, there was a point at which we were both introduced to the game. And now, the Nationals are giving you the chance to inspire...

The Washington Nationals placed right-handed pitcher Stephen Strasburg on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to June 1, with a right latissimus dorsi strain and recalled left-handed pitcher Xavier Cedeno from Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Cedeno - who did not pitch during a one-day stint with Washington earlier this season - made five relief appearances with an...

The Nationals have officially placed Stephen Strasburg on the 15-day disabled list this afternoon, retroactive to June 1, because of a strained right lat. That puts both of the Nats' star No. 1 picks, Bryce Harper and Strasburg, on the DL at the same time. To take Strasburg's place on the roster, the Nats have recalled left-handed reliever Xavier Cedeno from Triple-A Syracuse. This will be Cedeno's second stint with the Nats, but he did not appear in a game during his previous one day with...

Tonight marks the first night of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, and while this is one of Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo's favorite days of the year, he'll have to wait a little while to get in on the drafting action tonight. The Nationals forfeited their first-round pick in this year's draft by signing free agent closer Rafael Soriano this offseason after Soriano had been given a qualifying offer by the Yankees. That means that the Nats won't get to make their...