ATLANTA - Stephen Strasburg hasn't been pitching at a Cy Young level thus far this season. But he also hasn't pitched poorly. The latter point is one that Nationals pitching coach Steve McCatty wants to emphasize. McCatty passionately defended Strasburg this afternoon, saying that the expectations that media members and fans have placed on Strasburg have reached unfair levels, with it getting to the point that Strasburg almost is in a no-win situation. "You guys put these levels on this...

Whatever roster move is being made by the Orioles today, it won't involve outfielder Chris Dickerson. He's starting in right field tonight against the Seattle Mariners. Nick Markakis is serving as the designated hitter. Nate McLouth is back in left field and atop the order. 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 Ryan Flaherty 2B Chris Dickerson RF Jason Hammel RHP

ATLANTA - Davey Johnson expressed concern last night after hearing that Stephen Strasburg had been dealing with some tightness in his forearm during his outing in the Nationals' 3-2 loss to the Braves. Today, the Nationals feel confident that all is well with their ace right-hander. General manager Mike Rizzo said that Strasburg has some irritation on his forearm, but reiterated that the Nats expect Strasburg to be able to make his regularly scheduled start on Saturday in...

OriolesREACH and Major League Baseball will host a private screening of the movie "42" for 300 junior varsity baseball and softball players from 12 Anne Arundel County high schools this Thursday, May 2, at 10:30 a.m. at Hoyt's West Nursery Cinemas in Linthicum. Students from Annapolis, Arundel, Broadneck, Chesapeake, Glen Burnie, Meade, North County, Northeast, Old Mill, Severna Park, South River and Southern High Schools will attend the screening. Former Orioles pitcher Ken Dixon will speak...

Still waiting for the Orioles to announce their roster moves today. Still waiting for their lineup. Michael Saunders, who came off the disabled list yesterday and homered on Zach Britton's second pitch, is back in the leadoff spot for the Mariners. For the Mariners Michael Saunders CF Kyle Seager 3B Kendrys Morales DH Michael Morse RF Jason Bay LF Justin Smoak 1B Dustin Ackley 2B Kelly Shoppach C Brendan Ryan SS Brandon Maurer RHP None of the Orioles have faced Maurer. He'll be a total...

ATLANTA - Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo alleviated some concerns about Stephen Strasburg's arm today. Via text message, Rizzo said Strasburg is doing fine and is expected to make his next start. Doctors gave good reports on Strasburg's arm after the right-hander experienced forearm tightness during his start Monday. This news confirms an earlier Washington Post report.

ATLANTA - The Nationals are 11-1 when scoring first this season. That's pretty good. When their opponents score first, the Nats have gone just 2-12. That's not as good. In their 13 losses this season, the Nats have scored a measly 1.5 runs per game. In their 13 wins, they've put up a more robust 5.8 runs per contest. The lesson here: If you score more runs, you're more likely to win games. That stat about teams scoring first usually is more relevant in football, where a team taking a...

Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman (hamstring) is expected to make a rehab appearance tonight for high Single-A Potomac. The first game of the doubleheader is set to begin at 6 p.m. Zimmerman would most likely just play the first game and try to get a least three at-bats. He will wear jersey No. 33. * Hagerstown Suns right-hander Ivan Pineyro put in a gem of a start last weekend with 12 strikeouts in a 3-0 win over the Hickory Crawdads. Pineyro went six innings, allowed three hits, no...

What T.J. McFarland is trying to do is certainly not easy. He is trying to stay in the major leagues with the Orioles as a Rule 5 pick and do so with just 17 career starts at the Triple-A level under his belt. The Orioles felt McFarland had a decent chance to make the opening day roster when they selected him from the Cleveland Indians' organization at December's winter meetings. Now, here he is with an 0-0 record and 2.38 ERA after five games. Over 11 1/3 innings, McFarland has allowed 12...

The Orioles are continuing to make roster moves today, and the latest one has a nice local flavor. Besides needing to free up a spot on their 40-man roster for new backup catcher Chris Snyder, they also have summoned pitcher Zach Clark from Triple-A Norfolk. Clark is flying to Seattle today and could provide another arm in the bullpen. The Orioles are expected to officially recall Clark, 29, later today, but will wait until his arrival. Clark (UMBC) will be making his major league debut if...