Orioles catcher Matt Wieters left Wednesday's game in Texas early, not because it was a blowout, but because he took a foul ball off his right shoulder and he felt some discomfort. But, he says he is fine and ready to play tonight. "Nothing more than a bruise in a bad spot," Wieters said. "If it had been anyplace other than that shoulder I would have been able to keep playing. Just as the game went on it got a lit bit tighter. But I got ice on it after the game. It felt good yesterday and...

MASN, the region's leader in live sports entertainment, has announced an extensive NCAA college football schedule for the 2012 season. Utilizing both MASN and MASN2, the network will broadcast 39 games featuring seven conferences, including some of the most prolific football programs in the nation, along with local colleges and universities in MASN's seven-state footprint. Fans from Harrisburg, Pa., to Charlotte, N.C., will again enjoy maximum access to games featuring the Big East, Big...

Although as he spoke, a roster move was not official, pitcher Tommy Hunter just told reporters he is being sent back to the minor leagues, but he wasn't sure where it would be, leaving Double-A Bowie as a possibility along with Triple-A Norfolk. "Just go pitch, somewhere other than here," Hunter said. "I don't know where I'm going. Just step in line and take the ball. "You would hope so (that I can get back soon). I don't know if you would, but I would. (Stinks) but that's part of...

PHILADELPHIA - The Nationals kick off a brief five-game road trip tonight against the Phillies, who come into this three-game set riding a bit of an emotional high after last night's walk-off win over the Reds. The Cincinnati loss puts the Nats three games up on the Reds in the loss column for the best record in baseball. The Nats also got some help from the Giants last night, as the Braves dropped a game out west to push them 6 1/2 games back in the National League East. The Nats will send...

The Orioles haven't announced any roster moves, but Ryan Flaherty and Brian Matusz are at the ballpark. Flaherty's equipment bag is at his locker and Matusz has actually been seen here. It's possible that Matusz will replace J.C. Romero on the 25-man roster and Flaherty could become the fourth bench player with pitcher Tommy Hunter optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. Update: Flaherty has now been seen in the clubhouse for a touching reunion with his equipment bag. Plus he's in the...

Mike Mussina still has the same thin build that we remember when he stood on the mound for 18 seasons, including the first 10 in Baltimore. The only real change in his appearance is the goatee, which is speckled with gray hairs. Otherwise, he looks like the same guy who won 147 games and spun three one-hitters with the Orioles. Mussina and former second baseman Rich Dauer will be inducted into the Orioles Hall of Fame before Saturday's 7:05 p.m. game against the Blue Jays at Camden Yards....

Just in case you were worried Alex Meyer's six runs allowed in his last start would be habit forming, the 6-foot-9 right-hander was back to his normal self Thursday. Meyer allowed just one run on five hits in six innings, notching the victory over Carolina, 7-5. Meyer struck out three batters and walked two, leaving with a 6-1 lead. He is now 3-2 with a 2.31 ERA in seven starts for the P-Nats. Overall, he has tossed 129 innings and has struck out 139 batters. The next step will be the...

Before the start of the 2012 season, a late-August series between the Nationals and Phillies at Citizens Bank Park might have sounded like a highly dramatic divisional clash. Instead, this upcoming three-game series in the City of Brotherly Love will pit a first-place team against one which sits 19 1/2 games back in the National League East. Given the Phillies' issues this season and the tear the Nats have been on, I wouldn't be surprised to see a good amount of Curly Ws in the stands over...

The Orioles begin a seven-game homestand tonight, and they're expected to go back to a four-man bench. Ryan Flaherty didn't play in Triple-A Norfolk's game at Durham last night, and I've heard that the Orioles are prepared to activate him from the 15-day disabled list. We'll see. I got the impression - and yes, I do impressions - that the Orioles were going to keep Flaherty on his rehab assignment for the maximum 20 days if allowed by Major League Baseball. However, he's 11-for-23 with...

Don't read this if you are superstitious. Is the word "playoffs" taboo in your household? Do you use euphemisms to talk about that sort of thing? Then maybe you can find a new argument about the Stephen Strasburg shutdown to read. Believe in jinxes? Stop here. This is for fans who dare to dream. Because the Nationals are going to the postseason. Not only that, they will win the National League East and have home-field advantage as deep as they go. There. It's been said. It's not the...