ATLANTA - And so we wait. The Nationals didn't provide much firm information last night on the status of Stephen Strasburg, who manager Davey Johnson said was dealing with some forearm tightness following his start against the Braves. They'll need to monitor Strasburg this afternoon and in the days ahead before really knowing where things stand and how to handle any health issues involving the 24-year-old right-hander. Strasburg said multiple times last night that he felt good on the...

Kevin Gausman's first five starts in 2013 have absolutely captivated the baseball world. Some prospect experts love talking about his smooth upper-90s fastball while others highlight his quick work on the mound or his ability work out of jams. For me, I'm most impressed with Gausman's command, which is highlighted by his incredible 29-to-1 K/BB ratio. In 28 2/3 innings pitched, Gausman has surrendered just one free pass and struck out 29. To give you some perspective, only one big leaguer...

Should Orioles fans be concerned about J.J. Hardy? Maybe a little. He is batting just .192 with one multi-hit effort through 26 games after going 0-for-3 last night. His on-base percentage is just .236 and his OPS is only .559. Hardy is batting .162 against right-handed pitching and his average has been over .200 after only six of the team's 26 games. Plus, this continues a run of Hardy's stats trending downward since his first season with the club in 2011. Starting then, his average has...

The Orioles will face right-handers in five of the final six games on this West Coast trip, and you know what that means. Nate McLouth will be in the starting lineup in five of the final six games on this West Coast trip. McLouth is pretty much in a platoon situation despite his red-hot bat. Nolan Reimold has been starting in left field against southpaws, with Steve Pearce serving as the designated hitter. Before last night, McLouth had reached base safely in 22 of his last 36 plate...

The Orioles announced after tonight's game that they have optioned catcher Luis Exposito to Triple-A Norfolk. Exposito, 26, did not appear for the Orioles in two games since being recalled on Sunday. He has played in 16 games for the Tides this season, batting .218/.254/.273 in 59 plate appearances. A corresponding roster move will be made tomorrow.

After giving up just one run in each of his last two Triple-A starts, Zach Britton gave up one on his second pitch tonight. His evening never got too much better, as the Orioles lost 6-2 to Seattle in the opener of a three-game series. Former Oriole Joe Saunders got the win tonight, pitching a complete-game four-hitter. Michael Saunders hit a belt-high fastball out for a 1-0 lead off Britton, who gave up 10 hits and six runs over six innings. He walked two and fanned two and threw 101 pitches...

ATLANTA - Stephen Strasburg isn't the only one to have some health concerns coming out of tonight's game. Jayson Werth dealt with hamstring cramps tonight, an issue that worsened as the game went on. He told manager Davey Johnson before an eighth inning at-bat that if he reached base, he'd need to have a pinch-runner take over. During the at-bat, Werth fouled a ball off his left ankle. He then struck out for the second out of the inning and was replaced in right field by Roger Bernadina in...

Orioles left-hander Zach Britton experienced a little bit of everything tonight in his first major league start of 2013. The home run he allowed on his second pitch of the night. The 34-pitch fourth inning. The easy nine-pitch fifth inning. The three-run sixth inning, and the bruise he probably sustained on his left arm from the home plate umpire. Strange night indeed. Britton allowed six runs and 10 hits in six innings, with two walks, two strikeouts and a wild pitch. He totaled 101...

ATLANTA - The Nationals lost to the Braves 3-2 tonight, but that result took a backseat after the game when manager Davey Johnson said that Stephen Strasburg was dealing with some forearm tightness. Strasburg went six innings, allowing two earned runs on six hits with four walks and eight strikeouts. He struggled with his fastball command throughout the game but managed to limit the damage. "That was a tough one, but the main thing, I was a little concerned about Strasburg," Johnson said....

Denard Span is no Michael Morse. Morse had the kung-fu warm-up cut - immortalized in his bobblehead - and there was his A-Ha walk-up music. Span had large shoes to fill on many levels. It did not get easier when Morse ripped up the Cactus League for nine home runs and a .357 batting average in spring training. It was reminiscent of the 2011 spring when he had his breakout season, hitting .303 with 31 home runs. There were more than a few call-ins to radio shows bemoaning the loss of Morse and...