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...

With outfielder Xavier Avery's promotion earlier today, 16 players have now appeared on the active rosters of both the Orioles and Triple-A Norfolk Tides this season. Avery isn't expected to stay for long. He's an extra outfielder until Nick Markakis rejoins the team Friday in St. Petersburg. And the Orioles will need another pitcher to replace Steve Johnson in the bullpen, with Pedro Strop a leading candidate. The Orioles are 8-11 in series finales this season, including 4-5 on the road....

The discussion of the future of the low Single-A Hagerstown Suns and possible stadium deals in Virginia or Maryland steered toward Fredericksburg, Va., today. According to a report by Zac Boyer in the Free-Lance Star, Suns ownership said if Fredericksburg can approve a new stadium deal, the Suns will move there and begin play in 2015. It is no secret that Municipal Stadium in Hagerstown could use a face lift and the field has some quirky undulation in parts. But the critical decision of a new...

How important is the draft to the makeup and success of a major league team? The Nationals are the best current example. Being able to draft No. 1 overall two years in a row to get pitcher Stephen Strasburg and outfielder Bryce Harper completely altered the outlook for the Nationals. Even with his recovery from Tommy John surgery, Strasburg was a difference-maker in 2012. Harper was named NL Rookie of the Year and made a huge splash last season. They were major players in the Nationals'...

On Saturday against Detroit, the Orioles allowed four homers in one inning for the first time in team history. Last night against Houston, they allowed six homers in a game for the first time since July 7, 2011. Last season, the Orioles allowed four or more homers in a game eight times all season. So far in 2013, that has already happened seven times. The Orioles pitching staff has given up 13 homers over the last four games and 23 in the last eight, giving up four homers or more four times...

The Orioles today announced that they have recalled outfielder Xavier Avery from Triple-A Norfolk and placed right-hander Steve Johnson on the 15-day disabled list with a left oblique strain. Avery, 23, 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 has also played in 15 games with Triple-A Norfolk, batting .192 (10-52). He will wear uniform #70. Johnson, 25, is 1-1 with an 8.49 ERA (11.2IP, 11ER) and 11.6...

The Orioles are prepared to place reliever Steve Johnson on the 15-day disabled list with an oblique injury. Johnson felt the discomfort while warming up last night and allowed two home runs in 2 1/3 innings. An announcement will come later in the day. For the Orioles Nate McLouth LF Manny Machado 3B Chris Davis 1B Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters DH J.J. Hardy SS Chris Dickerson RF Ryan Flaherty 2B Taylor Teagarden C Miguel Gonzalez RHP For the Astros Brandon Barnes CF Jimmy Paredes RF Jason...