The tarp is on the field at Nats Park, the wind is howling and the skies are pretty freakin' dark. They're expecting "severe storms" here in D.C., but we haven't gotten any rain yet and it looks like the heavy stuff might miss us. We shall see. There's a ton of injury news to pass along today, starting with Jayson Werth, who took batting practice today. This marked a major step in the right direction after Werth broke his wrist back in early May. Manager Davey Johnson said today that...

The Orioles today announced that they have recalled RHP Tommy Hunter from Triple-A Norfolk and designated RHP Brad Bergesen for assignment. Hunter is 3-4 with a 6.11 ERA (81.0IP, 55ER) in 15 games (13 starts) over three stints with the Orioles this season. He is 2-1 with a 4.66 ERA (19.1IP, 10ER) in three starts with the Tides. Bergesen had his contract selected yesterday. He went 4-3 with one save and a 4.03 ERA (80.1IP, 36ER) in 22 games (10 starts) with the Tides this season.

You can see the frustration on the face of Jesus Flores after a few rough at-bats recently, but Nationals manager Davey Johnson is not concerned. Flores has gone 3-for-29 (.103) in the last nine games with four RBIs and eight strikeouts. Tuesday he went 0-for-4 with a pair of whiffs, including a strikeout in the bottom on the ninth with two outs and the winning run at second base. Johnson has met a few times with the first-string backstop and believes the veteran is being too hard on himself...

The Orioles officially recalled Tommy Hunter from Triple-A Norfolk today and designated reliever Brad Bergesen for assignment. Hunter is starting tonight against the Twins. Bergesen is wondering again where his career is headed. Bergesen had his contract purchased yesterday because the Orioles needed a long reliever, but he didn't get into last night's game. Bergesen is 4-3 with a 4.03 ERA and one save in 22 games (10 starts) with Norfolk this season, with 90 hits, 23 walks and 41...

Taylor Teagarden gets another start behind the plate tonight for the Orioles, with Matt Wieters serving as the designated hitter. For the Orioles: Nick Markakis RF J.J. Hardy SS Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters DH Mark Reynolds 1B Steve Pearce LF Wilson Betemit 3B Taylor Teagarden C Steve Tolleson 2B Tommy Hunter RHP The Orioles will try to rediscover their winning touch tonight against Twins left-hander Francisco Liriano, who gave up five earned runs (six total) and eight hits in four...

Still no Nationals lineup just yet, as the team could yet again be checking on Ian Desmond's status before setting their starting nine for tonight's game against the Mets. While we wait on the Nats lineup, I've got some good news to pass along on Jayson Werth, who is currently taking part in some early batting practice along with Chad Tracy. This is the first time I've seen Werth taking BP since suffering a broken wrist back in early May. Manager Davey Johnson said yesterday he expected...

The Orioles added a draft pick for next June today in the first Competitive Balance Lottery. The Orioles will get the fourth pick in Round A, which will follow the first-round picks in the 2013 First-Year Player Draft. A projection on the MLB Network, where the results were announced this afternoon, was that the pick would fall between the 32nd and 37th overall selections and the Round A picks will come before the second-round picks. The order for the Round A picks is Kansas City, Pittsburgh,...

Davey Johnson said yesterday afternoon that the Nationals wanted to see Drew Storen's command improve and his breaking ball get more consistent before the team would consider activating the reliever from his rehab assignment. Storen was apparently listening loud and clear. He worked a 1-2-3 seventh inning for Single-A Potomac yesterday, throwing 11 pitches, 10 of which were strikes. Storen struck out two, both of which were swinging Ks on sliders. He's getting closer to a...

The Orioles say their seventh-round draft pick, pitcher Matt Price from the University of South Carolina, is dealing with a tight right shoulder capsule and may not pitch in a game this year. "His physical wasn't completely clean and they are being overly cautious," Orioles scouting director Gary Rajsich said. "I'm not saying that is anything out of the ordinary, it is just a pitcher with a lot of wear and tear. It's something that hasn't held other pitchers back. There are some pretty...

Low Single-A Hagerstown's pitching staff was acknowledged with the recent news that right-handers Alex Meyer and Aaron Barrett will be promoted to high Single-A Potomac on Thursday. Shortstop Jason Martinson was promoted on the offensive side earlier this season. It is likely that some of the tremendous offensive talent on his former team in Hagerstown will be bumped up to join him in Potomac very soon. There are several candidates who could get the promotion, including third baseman Matt...