Can you believe we've reached the All-Star break already, Nats fans? Opening day seems like only yesterday, yet here we are in the dog days of summer, halfway through the season. For the Nationals, it's been a dream start to 2012. The Nats currently sit with the best record in the National League at 49-34 and are in position to not only capture the NL East crown, but the franchise's inaugural postseason berth since moving to Washington seven years ago. As for us at MASNsports.com, it's...

One order of business for the Orioles during the All-Star break involved left-handed reliever J.C. Romero, who could have opted out of his contract with Triple-A Norfolk if he wasn't promoted to the majors. Romero requested and was granted his release earlier today after the Orioles decided not to purchase his contract. He's now a free agent and can sign with any team. Romero allowed four runs and 10 hits in 14 1/3 innings, with five walks and 13 strikeouts in 17 appearances. He was forced...

There was a time not too long ago when the Nationals were being given 100/1 odds to win the World Series. At the All-Star break this year, the Nats' odds of being the last team standing are 11/1, according to Bovada. The Nationals are behind only the Yankees (9/2) and Rangers (5/1) when it comes to overall odds to win the World Series. Bovada has the Nats' odds of winning the National League pennant at 9/2 and has them the clear favorites to come away with the NL East, putting them at 4/5...

The Triple-A Norfolk Tides tweeted their rotation following the All-Star break, and it begins with left-hander Zach Britton on Thursday. Tommy Hunter is scheduled to pitch Friday, followed by Jason Berken on Saturday, Brian Matusz on Sunday and Jake Arrieta on Monday. Arrieta is getting an extended rest after making his final start for the Orioles on July 5 in Anaheim. He's 3-9 with a 6.13 ERA in 18 games. Britton is 3-1 with a 4.87 ERA in seven games with the Tides. He's allowed five...

It was the most unselfish move. The decision made with the big picture in mind. It was an individual sacrifice for the good of the team. Players work their whole careers for a shot at the All-Star Game. Whether voted by the fans or the manager, it is usually a once-in-a-lifetime accolade that can define a player's legacy. Ian Desmond earned that invitation with a breakout first half. Playing acrobatic defense at short, Desmond led the team at the plate. First as the leadoff man and then in...

At Double-A Harrisburg, it's been a nice splash for shortstop Zach Walters, who in 20 games is hitting .338 with a slugging percentage of .623. He has eight doubles, one triple, four homers and 10 RBIs in that span. He has 26 hits, 12 runs and has walked five times. He has committed five errors, but the offensive numbers are big attention-getters after a fair start at high Single-A Potomac. To see him take it up a notch for the Senators is a very good sign. First baseman Jimmy Van Ostrand has...

Was I the only one less than wowed by last night's Home Run Derby? Sure, Prince Fielder put on a show, and it was fun watching Mark Trumbo demolish a few baseballs, especially since I hadn't gotten much of a chance to catch the Angels outfielder doing his thing out west in the first half of the season. But Robinson Cano and Matt Kemp - the two derby team captains - combined to hit just one home run, and my sleeper pick to win the competition, Andrew McCutchen, was eliminated in the first...

Before I proceed with this morning's blog topic, I want to talk a few people off the ledge. My blog and Twitter account were besieged last night with fans who were in a total panic over a report out of Louisiana that pitcher Kevin Gausman was definitely returning to LSU instead of signing with the Orioles, who made him the fourth-overall pick in the 2012 First-Year Player Draft. I checked the story, which you can read here, and it now says he's "strongly considering" staying in...

The Orioles today announced that they have reinstated outfielder Nick Markakis from the 15-day disabled list and optioned infielder Joe Mahoney to Triple-A Norfolk. Markakis was placed on the DL for the first time in his career on June 1 (retroactive to May 30) with a right hamate bone fracture. He has batted .256/.333/.452 with eight home runs and 26 RBI in 50 games for the Orioles this season. Markakis hit .300/.417/1.000 with a double and two home runs in three rehab games with Double-A...

The Orioles are off for the next four days, but that didn't stop them from making another roster move. Right fielder Nick Markakis has been reinstated from the 15-day disabled list after completing his injury-rehab assignment at Double-A Bowie. The Orioles optioned first baseman Joe Mahoney to Triple-A Norfolk to make room for Markakis on the 25-man roster. Markakis hasn't played since May 29 in Toronto. He underwent a 20-minute procedure on June 1 to remove a piece of broken hamate bone...