Though Jake Arrieta is here, he won't officially be recalled from Triple-A Norfolk until Friday. He wouldn't be available to pitch tonight anyway. Manager Buck Showalter said again today that Arrieta is a candidate to pitch in relief or to start. Chris Tillman is being examined today by team orthopedist Dr. John Wilckens. He could be cleared to play catch today or Friday. Tillman said his right elbow feels good, but he could be skipped a full turn in the rotation. Troy Patton will test...

With a big series against the Yankees now hours away, Adam Jones said the Orioles are confident that they can beat the Yankees. "We believe we can play with them," Jones said. "Not looking at the jerseys. You know who is over there and there are superstars. When I first got called up I was like, 'There's Alex Rodriguez, he seems like he's 7-5.' "But over the years, you learn, you can play with these guys. They have been the elite of the game. But you can play with them. You wouldn't...

After being given Wednesday off, Jayson Werth is back in the Nationals' lineup, leading off tonight's series finale against the Cubs. Jordan Zimmermann is taking the mound, as the Nats shoot for their fifth straight victory. Zimmermann, however, hasn't had the decisions going his way of late. He's been stuck on nine wins since Aug. 9, going 0-2 with a 7.91 ERA over his last four starts. Perhaps he gets on track tonight. For the Nationals: RF Jayson Werth CF Bryce Harper 3B Ryan...

The Orioles today announced that they have reinstated RHP Jason Hammel from the 15-day disabled list. In 18 starts for the Orioles, Hammel is 8-6 with a 3.54 ERA (109.1IP, 43ER) this season. He made one rehab appearance with Class-A Frederick (5.0IP, 3H, BB, 7K). Hammel is scheduled to start tonight's game against New York.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter is giving Robert Andino another start at second base against a right-hander, the Yankees' David Phelps. The rest of the lineup is predictable. Nate McLouth's in left field and batting third again, Mark Reynolds is at first base and Chris Davis is the designated hitter. For the Orioles: Nick Markakis RF J.J. Hardy SS Nate McLouth LF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 1B Chris Davis DH Manny Machado 3B Robert Andino 2B Jason Hammel RHP Update:...

A slow offensive start to the season left Danny Espinosa frustrated and "nervous" about being sent down to the minors. He'd stew over poor individual performances, letting his ultra-competitive streak get the better of him at times. He'd watch tape of countless subpar at-bats, critiquing every minor error, likely putting more pressure on himself in the process. Lately, Espinosa has changed his ways. He rarely ever goes into the video room unless it's for an offensive meeting before a...

"Art Modell was a National Football League visionary and pioneer whose impact on the game continues to this day. He and his late wife Pat were as committed to philanthropy as they were to professional football in Baltimore and beyond. On behalf of the Orioles organization, I extend my condolences to his sons, John and David, and the rest of his family."

When the Orioles faced the Yankees last weekend, they pitched very well against New York. The Yankees' team average was just .167 in that series, and the Birds held that lineup to just 15 hits over 90 at-bats in three games. The AL's fourth highest scoring team was held to eight total runs. While the Orioles hit six homers in that series, New York had just four extra-base hits in the series and went 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position. Obviously the Orioles would sign up for pitching...

There are so many offensive notes and numbers to pass along after what the Nationals have done the last handful of days, I'm not sure I could fit them all in one entry. Let's give it a shot. The Nationals became just the third team in the history of Major League Baseball to hit six home runs in a game on back-to-back nights. The 1996 Dodgers and 2003 Angels need to move over. They've got company. The Nats tied a team record for most homers in a game on Tuesday, then went ahead and tied...

Hindsight is never wrong and there is more than one path to winning. But for the Nationals, the willful awfulness of 2008 and 2009 are paying off. Without the 2008 and 2009 seasons, the Nationals wouldn't be as good as they are, and it isn't just Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper. Having the first pick overall means a team has the first pick in every round. A.J. Cole was the first pick of the fourth round of the 2010 draft and one of keys in the Gio Gonzalez trade. Early on, the Nationals...