The Orioles offense, which has produced a batting average of .309 and 5.4 runs per game over the last 17 games, gets a real challenge tonight. They face Nats right-hander Jordan Zimmermann, who is 8-2 with a 1.71 ERA in 10 starts. He has allowed two earned runs or less in seven straight starts, recording nine quality starts on the season. Zimmermann has pitched seven innings or more in his last six starts. The O's entire starting staff has gone seven or more just five times all...

BALTIMORE - Bryce Harper has missed the Nationals' last two games with bursitis in his left knee and will sit out at least these next two games against the Orioles, as well. But Harper's time out of the Nats' lineup might not end there. Manager Davey Johnson said today that Harper isn't progressing as quickly as the Nats might have hoped, leaving his status for this weekend's series in Atlanta in question. "It's kind of a tough thing - inflammation, bursa sac, whatever you want to...

BALTIMORE - With manager Davey Johnson making his final run through major league ballparks in his final season at the helm of the Nationals, Baltimore is certainly a place that holds a special place in his heart. Johnson broke into the majors with the Orioles and was also their manager, with a great deal of success at each stop. Johnson played for the Orioles from 1965-72. He was their manager from 1996-97. In 1997, he was named American League Manager of the Year and guided the Orioles to a...

It was a strange sight at Camden Yards this afternoon - Orioles pitcher Pedro Strop, who went on the disabled list Saturday with a lower back strain, fielding ground balls at shortstop and making throws to first base. It turns out J.J Hardy has nothing to worry about. Strop, who was an infielder from 2005-08 in the Colorado organization, is not going back to the dirt. But when he gets back on the mound, the Orioles want him to throw more strikes and today was one step in the process of helping...

Orioles outfielder Nolan Reimold worked with a physical therapist while the team was in Toronto and continues to do exercises for his strained right hamstring. "I've been rehabbing, working out, getting kind of like active rest, strengthening and getting the flexibility back in my hammy," said Reimold, who hasn't played since May 11. "That's the program for now." Reimold took his rehab to Johns Hopkins Hospital during the Orioles' last road trip and has been working out at Camden...

Reliever Pedro Strop, on the disabled list with a lower-back strain, did some early work at shortstop today as part of a throwing drill incorporated by pitching coach Rick Adair. He isn't changing positions. The drill is supposed to aid a pitcher in refining and repeating his throwing motion. "We can't sneak anything by you all," said manager Buck Showalter. Strop also threw off a mound today for the first time since going on the disabled list on Saturday. Triple-A infielder Jonathan...

In a bit of a surprise, Ryan Flaherty returned to the Orioles today. He will bat eighth and start at second base tonight against the Nationals. He got the phone call from Norfolk manager Ron Johnson to head to the airport and here he is, already back at Camden Yards. Flaherty was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk while Yamaico Navarro was optioned back to the Tides. Flaherty was sent to the minors following the game on May 18. In eight Triple-A games, he batted .265 with two homers and five RBIs....

BALTIMORE - After sitting for a week with a broken bone in his right wrist, Danny Espinosa will return to the Nats lineup tonight, facing right-hander Chris Tillman. He'll bat ninth, with Chad Tracy picking up DH duties. Once again, Bryce Harper will be on the bench, battling bursitis in his left knee. For the Nats CF Denard Span RF Roger Bernadina 3B Ryan Zimmerman 1B Adam LaRoche SS Ian Desmond LF Tyler Moore DH Chad Tracy C Kurt Suzuki 2B Danny Espinosa RHP Jordan...

The Orioles today announced that they have recalled infielder Ryan Flaherty from Triple-A Norfolk and optioned infielder Yamaico Navarro to the Tides. Flaherty, 26, batted .265/.286/.471 with two home runs, five RBI and four multi-hit efforts in eight games with the Tides after being optioned following the Orioles-Rays game on May 18. He batted .133/.228/.233 in 30 games for the Orioles earlier this season. Navarro, 25, has batted .286/.333/.357 in eight games over two stints with the...

The Orioles made a roster move today, optioning infielder Yamaico Navarro to Triple-A Norfolk and recalling infielder Ryan Flaherty. Flaherty was batting .265 with one double, two homers, five RBIs and four multi-hit games in eight games with the Tides. He was optioned on May 18 after batting .133 in 30 games with the Orioles. Navarro batted .286 with two RBIs in eight games with the Orioles. His defense was inconsistent at second base. Flaherty is starting tonight against the...