The last time the Orioles faced R.A. Dickey, it didn't go well for them. He pitched a one-hit shutout against them last June 18 for the Mets with just two walks and 13 strikeouts. He was on a real roll then. After that start, he improved to 6-0 with an ERA of 0.18 over his previous six starts. That is right, 0.18 as he had allowed just one earned run over 48 2/3 innings on his way to the National League Cy Young Award. Dickey is 2-2 with a 4.30 ERA through four starts in 2013 with Toronto....

Prior to last night's game, MASN cameras caught Nationals manager Davey Johnson doing push-ups against the dugout bench. Yes, the Nats' 70-year-old skipper was getting in a quick workout before first pitch. Dan Steinberg of The Post has the GIF of the push-ups. This afternoon, Johnson was asked what exactly was going on there. "I was trying to get some blood flowing, that's all I was doing," Johnson said, breaking into a smile. "I didn't know it was gonna be televised. Trying to get...

Lost in some of the rough outings for the bullpen has been the consistent pitching of right-hander Craig Stammen. More often than not, Stammen has come in during high-pressure situations and delivered. A case in point was Monday night versus St. Louis. Stammen relieved starter Dan Haren, who had allowed a hit by pitch, two singles and walk. Already with a run in, the Cardinals were one big hit away from blowing a close game wide open. But Stammen steadied the inning. With the bases loaded,...

Tsuyoshi Wada worked four innings today in an extended spring training game in Sarasota, striking out six and throwing around 68 pitches. The reports on him remain favorable. Not a single setback in his recovery and return from ligament-reconstructive surgery on his left elbow, which took place on May 11. Wada's progression will take him to five innings in his next outing, assuming the elbow feels good Wednesday. Wada is on the 60-day disabled list, which makes him eligible to be activated...

Dylan Bundy decided to get a second opinion on his right forearm today from renowned orthopedic specialist Dr. James Andrews. Bundy threw on flat ground from 90 feet yesterday and still felt discomfort in the forearm, near his elbow, which led to his visit with Andrews. The Orioles supported Bundy's request to get the second opinion. An MRI taken on Bundy's right elbow came back clean. He will likely undergo another MRI today. Manager Buck Showalter said the forearm stiffness didn't...

Josh Stinson is back in Baltimore and this time, he gets to stay and pitch in a game. The 25-year-old right-hander, who has only been part of the Orioles organization for just over two weeks, will start Wednesday afternoon's game here against Toronto. Stinson flew into Baltimore today after being told last night in Myrtle Beach, S.C., at 11 p.m. that he was headed back to Baltimore. In recent days, Stinson has been claimed off waivers by the Orioles, spent time with Triple-A Norfolk, came...

The Nationals have added another left-handed reliever to their organization, claiming Xavier Cedeno off waivers from the Astros and optioning him to Triple-A Syracuse. Cedeno, 26, posted an 11.37 ERA over five appearances spanning 6 1/3 innings with Houston this season. He allowed 10 hits and 11 runs (eight earned) with seven walks, three strikeouts and hit two batters. Last season, Cedeno's numbers were far better. He worked in 44 games with the Astros, putting up a 3.77 ERA over 31...

The Orioles are going with their standard lineup tonight against a right-hander. In this case, it's Toronto Blue Jays knuckleballer R.A. Dickey. Nate McLouth is leading off and playing left field. Nick Markakis drops down to third. Ryan Flaherty is the second baseman, and Nolan Reimold is the designated hitter. For the Orioles Nate McLouth LF Manny Machado 3B Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Ryan Flaherty 2B Nolan Reimold DH Miguel Gonzalez...

The Orioles will add pitcher Josh Stinson to the 25-man roster on Wednesday, and he's expected to start that day against the Toronto Blue Jays. I'm told that manager Buck Showalter hasn't made a final decision on his starter, but Stinson's arrival would seem to signal that he's taking the mound in the last game of the homestand. Freddy Garcia is listed as tonight's starter for Triple-A Norfolk, which eliminates him from consideration unless he's a late scratch. Left-hander Zach...

It seems there's been a bit of a power outage in D.C. over the last couple weeks. The Nationals, a team that on paper has a balanced, skilled lineup with a nice mix of guys who reach base at a high clip and can mash the ball out of the park, have seen their bats go quiet recently, to the surprise to some of the guys in the clubhouse. "We're not getting the big hits," Adam LaRoche said. "A lot of quick innings. Not a ton of baserunners. And five or six guys that aren't swinging the bat...