Triple-A Syracuse second baseman Jeff Kobernus has had an outstanding start to his 2013 campaign, getting in the conversation about a possible callup to the Nationals. In the end, at least this time, the Nationals decided to go with Eury Perez while Jayson Werth is on the disabled list with an injured hamstring. But that does not take away from what the hot-hitting Kobernus has displayed this season or from his emerging versatility. The 24-year-old Kobernus was hitting .371 through Thursday...

Kurt Suzuki gave the Nationals the lead in the bottom of the second and then made a tremendous play a half-inning later to ensure the Cubs didn't grab the lead right back. Up with two on and two outs in the second, Suzuki smoked a Jeff Samardzija fastball off the right-center field wall. Ian Desmond and Danny Espinosa both came around to score, giving the Nationals a 2-1 lead over the Cubs. This marks Suzuki's first two-RBI game since April 17. The Cubs came right back with back-to-back...

MINNEAPOLIS - Left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada threw seven scoreless and hitless innings today at extended spring training. He didn't issue a walk, struck out 10 and hit two batters. Wada, who threw 88 pitches, is ready to go on an injury-rehab assignment. His next start will be with one of the Orioles' affiliates. "He hit two guys. That's good to see," Showalter said. "That tells me he's feeling pretty good about his fastball in. "(Scott) McGregor has seen all his outings. That was kind of...

MINNEAPOLIS - The Orioles aren't afraid to experiment. They will lower a pitcher's arm slot or turn him into a knuckleballer. They will turn a Double-A shortstop into a major league third baseman. And they will talk a switch-hitter into batting exclusively from one side of the plate. Second baseman Alexi Casilla said he will bat from the left side tonight against Twins right-hander Mike Pelfrey, but he's been taking batting practice from the right side against right-handers at the...

With Jayson Werth heading to the disabled list and Bryce Harper out after having minor surgery to get rid of an ingrown toenail, the Nationals are two outfielders short tonight. That will leave Roger Bernadina starting in right field and Tyler Moore starting in left. Bernadina is hitting .129 on the season. Moore is batting .163. Ryan Zimmerman will move back up to his familiar No. 3 spot in the order with Harper out, Adam LaRoche will hit cleanup and Ian Desmond will bat fifth. Davey...

Nationals manager Davey Johnson announced before Friday's game against the Cubs that outfielder Jayson Werth had a setback in his recovery from a sore hamstring and if placed on the disabled list, it is likely that either infielder/outfielder Jeff Kobernus or outfielder Eury Perez will get the call up. Both have been scorching the baseball. Perez has an eight-game hitting streak and Kobernus has just one hit in his past six games. Kobernus, who is listed as a second baseman, has played...

It looks like Jayson Werth will need to land on the disabled list, after all. Werth hasn't played since May 2 against the Braves because of a tight right hamstring, and all along, the Nationals have felt that Werth would need just a few days off and then would be able to return to the lineup. The veteran outfielder suffered a bit of a setback today, however, as his hamstring went into spasm while doing leg curls. Manager Davey Johnson said that the leg curls are a part of Werth's standard...

MINNEAPOLIS - Nine of Nate McLouth's 11 stolen bases this season have come with Manny Machado at the plate. They're batting first and second again tonight. Why mess with a good thing? Orioles second baseman Alexi Casilla is getting a rare start against a right handed pitcher, and Nick Markakis is again serving as the designated hitter. For the Orioles Nate McLouth LF Manny Machado 3B Nick Markakis DH Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Chris Dickerson RF Alexi Casilla...

MINNEAPOLIS - Jason Hammel goes for his sixth win tonight, as the Orioles begin a three-game series against the Twins at Target Field. Then it's back home. Not worth unpacking the suitcase. Only three other pitchers have six wins in 2013: Clay Buchholz, Matt Moore and Jordan Zimmermann. All five of Hammel's wins have come on the road. According to STATS, Hammel is the fifth Orioles pitcher to win each of his first five road starts in a season since the franchise moved to Baltimore in 1954....

This might surprise you, but the Minnesota Twins, a team that has lost 99 and 96 games the last two seasons, are 5-2 this season against the American League East. The Twins host the Orioles for three games over the weekend beginning tonight at Target Field. The Twins took two of three in Baltimore in the second series of the year and they just took three of four at Fenway Park, winning the last three in that series by scores of 6-1, 15-8 and 5-3. Minnesota is 16-15 on the season, 7-6 at home...