PHILADELPHIA - The Nationals' offense has been clicking on all cylinders lately, largely thanks to the fact that they finally had all their players healthy. That's suddenly not the case anymore. Ian Desmond was scratched from tonight's game (albeit for precautionary reasons) because of a right knee injury, and less than 10 minutes after first pitch, Michael Morse had to leave after being hit in the right hand with a pitch. Morse took an 84 mph Kyle Kendrick changeup squarely on his hand...

PHILADELPHIA - Rewarding one of their most productive bench bats this season, the Nationals have extended the contract of veteran infielder Chad Tracy through the 2013 season. Tracy signed a minor league deal with the Nats this winter after playing the 2011 season in Japan. The 32-year-old battled for a roster spot in camp and admitted that if he hadn't made the Nationals' 25-man roster, he might have opted for retirement. But Tracy earned a roster spot as a left-handed bat off Johnson's...

Ryan Flaherty is back on the Orioles active roster. He was on the disabled list from August 2-24 with a bacterial infection and just returned from playing nine game at Triple-A Norfolk, where he hit .289 with two homers, three RBIs and an .868 OPS. "I started a little bit slow down there for the first three or four games and then I got it going," Flaherty said. "Want to take that back here and help this team win." Flaherty began 0-for-15 in Norfolk but brings a hot bat back to the team as...

At the risk of bombarding you with too much news and too many quotes, here are a few comments from manager Buck Showalter that came from his pregame session with the media. On Jason Hammel's simulated game: "Hamm's thing went well today. We'll see how it feels tomorrow before we kind of set the next part of his schedule. But so far, so good." On Tommy Hunter: "Not sure yet whether we're going to option Tommy to Bowie or Norfolk. See where it fits best. Both those clubs' seasons end on...

On Saturday, August 25, the Orioles and Oriole Advocates will hold a formal induction ceremony prior to their 7:05 p.m. game with the Toronto Blue Jays to honor 2012 Orioles Hall of Fame inductees Mike Mussina and Rich Dauer and Herb Armstrong Award recipient Walter Youse. Fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 6:30 p.m. In his 10 seasons as a starting pitcher with the Orioles, Mussina compiled 147 wins and a 3.53 ERA, pitching more than 200 innings seven times. He will become the 50th...

The Orioles optioned Tommy Hunter today, destination unknown, and designated left-hander J.C. Romero for assignment. They recalled left-hander Brian Matusz and activated infielder Ryan Flaherty from the disabled list. Matusz is the only left-hander in the bullpen, but the Orioles could select Zach Phillips' contract from Triple-A Norfolk. It's still being discussed. Hunter will be assigned to Norfolk or Double-A Bowie. Romero is considering retirement. He's headed to his Alabama home to...

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...