Interleague play may be exciting for the fans, but it causes some alterations and uneasiness for players, especially this early in the season. However, some players embrace National League versus American League match-ups in small doses because it mixes the schedule up a bit and adds a little flavor. This season, with the Astros moving to the American League and the formation of three five-team divisions in each league, there's an interleague game every day. The Nationals would appear to have...

Nationals fans will have to wait at least a few innings to give Adam Dunn a true welcome back to D.C. After all, this is interleague play, and Dunn isn't the most skilled defensive player out there. With no designated hitter in the lineup and the visiting White Sox having Paul Konerko already locked in as their first baseman, Dunn won't be starting in his return to Nationals Park. Still, Dunn, who played in D.C. from 2009-2010, is happy to be back in the district, getting a chance to see...

What makes a great baseball movie? Like all flicks, it's got to have a compelling story that grabs your attention. Interesting characters are a must, because without them, you're thinking more about refilling that 68-ounce Diet Coke than what's on the screen. Intriguing dialogue follows good characters on my must-have list. But the most important thing for a successful baseball movie is a reverent, honest portrayal of the game, on and off the field. With it, you've got blockbusters like...

The Orioles are proud to support Major League Baseball in the launch of the 5th annual Honorary Bat Girl Contest designed to celebrate the stories of fans who are "going to bat against breast cancer." The club invites Orioles fans to join in spreading awareness and support for the breast cancer cause by making nominations and voting in the contest to determine who will be this year's Honorary Bat Girl at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. All fans of the Orioles who are age 18 and older are...

After missing the last two games with tightness in his back, Adam LaRoche is back in the lineup tonight for the Nationals' series opener against the White Sox. Including yesterday's off-day, LaRoche had three days to rest his ailing back, which initially tightened up on him late in the Nationals' series against the Marlins last week. The cold weather at Nats Park likely contributed to the discomfort. He told reporters Sunday that he was feeling better and apparently has been cleared to give...

Orioles 2011 first-round pick Dylan Bundy is still in Florida in rehab mode dealing with mild tightness in his right elbow. I've heard there have been no setbacks, but he has yet to throw any bullpen sessions. The club is just being cautious with a young prospect. He is now pain-free and is on a strengthening program. We are likely looking at a timetable of a few weeks or more before he could pitch in any games, since he'll have to build arm strength back up and likely pitch in a simulated...

I've decided that I would like a montage of moments from my life set to "One Shining Moment" and played at my funeral. I'm not sure whether I'm kidding or not. Is that weird? I don't care. Now I just have to get to work on creating some actual shining moments. I'm not sure me sitting on my sofa eating nachos will cut it. If you haven't yet seen how the Rangers-Rays game ended last night, take a look. Yikes. Just a bit outside. Nationals manager Davey Johnson knew going into the...

Get your finger off the panic button. The Orioles are only seven games into the 2013 season. You're not allowed to worry yet. The old cliche saying goes, "a baseball season is a marathon, not a sprint," and right now the Orioles just finished mile one of 26.2. If this were a movie, we'd be halfway through the opening credits. If it were a football season, we'd be in the third quarter of week one. Sure, three-game losing streaks are nothing to be happy about and Orioles fans haven't seen...

BOSTON - If you think the Orioles have hit a rough patch, consider what's happening at Triple-A Norfolk. The Tides gave up three touchdowns last night and lost to Charlotte 21-4. Outfielder Jason Pridie, pitching for the first time since high school, threw two fastballs and recorded the final out. Pridie tweeted that his two-seamer had some nice movement. Good to know, just in case the Orioles get lured into another 17-inning marathon. The Orioles are off today, and center fielder Adam...

We already know that Manny Machado is a very talented young player. But a conversation I had with him in the clubhouse Sunday morning provided further proof that the kid is a very smart and savvy player also. Machado never batted second in the minors for the Orioles. But he's batting second now for the big club. I wanted to know if batting second means he goes into games with a certain approach or outlook to his at-bats in mind. Does he go in with a specific game plan? "It just all depends...