Dontrelle Willis' debut as a starter with Triple-A Norfolk has been put on hold. Willis' role isn't changing again. He was scratched from tonight's start in Toledo because of a stomach virus. Willis was signed in spring training to be a left-handed relief specialist, but the Orioles agreed to let him go back to starting after he went on the disabled list with a sore forearm, and later left the Tides. The Orioles removed him from the restricted list and sent him to extended spring...

Davey Johnson's had some entertaining press conferences lately. The ones during the Tampa Bay series certainly qualify, with Johnson calling Rays manager Joe Maddon a "weird wuss," a "guru" and telling him to read the rule book after the GloveGate incident with Joel Peralta. Today, Johnson took a playful jab at 49-year-old hurler Jamie Moyer, who was granted his release this afternoon by the Orioles. "I think he's had a remarkable career," Johnson said. "I thought he was 50. I felt...

Another live blog night: You all know the drill by now when I do a live blog like I will for tonight's game. I'll add some notes, stats and comments here during the game, so come back often and hit refresh for the latest. I hope you will add your own questions and comments often tonight and keep it going through the whole game. So start adding some thoughts and questions about the O's, this series, tonight's pitchers, the minor leagues, the trading deadline and/or anything else on your...

It has been one year. June 23, 2011, fresh off a hot streak, Jim Riggleman resigned as manager of the Nationals, and Davey Johnson was asked to take over. The Nationals were 38-37. After that day, the team finished 42-44 and have gone 82-72 since Riggleman resigned. Flash forward 365 days. Under the direction of Davey Johnson, the Nationals have gone 40-28 this season and are 80-71 since that stunning Thursday. "It was a very sad day for me," Johnson recollected. "I like Jimmy. I hate to...

Nationals manager Davey Johnson said Mark DeRosa emailed him and said he "feels great" and would like to return to the roster. Johnson wants DeRosa to spell third baseman Ryan Zimmerman, maybe every once and awhile if he needs to rest his shoulder. Currently, Steve Lombardozzi is the backup for Zimmerman, but has gotten a lot of playing time in the outfield. This is again another opportunity for Tyler Moore to solidify his spot on the roster. The right-handed first baseman starts in left...

After years of being sellers at the non-waiver trade deadline, the Orioles are poised to move in the other direction. It's time to see how the other half lives. Executive vice president Dan Duquette spoke earlier today of the pitching depth in the organization that allowed the Orioles to bypass purchasing Jamie Moyer's contract, but he's not committed to staying in-house. And he's not simply looking to bring in minor leaguers in exchange for veterans, not with the Orioles 1 1/2 games...

Manager Buck Showalter is convinced that 49-year-old Jamie Moyer will be pitching for a major league team in the near future. It just won't be the Orioles. Moyer requested and was granted his release today. He had an opt-out clause in his contract after three starts with Triple-A Norfolk, and the Orioles weren't ready to make room for him in their rotation. Timing was one factor. The Orioles don't need a fifth starter until Saturday because they're off on Monday. However, they also...

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette and manager Buck Showalter had another "State of the Orioles" address today with season ticket holders here at Camden Yards. There were no big pronouncements or news to come out of it, but here are a few questions and the answers they gave. The pair was asked if the Orioles will make any changes by the trade deadline. "People ask all the time if we'll try to add to the team, and the answer to that is 'yes,' but I think we have a lot of the...

Davey Johnson admitted last night that he's given some thought to moving Ryan Zimmerman down in the order given his struggles this season. But Johnson said he planned to keep the .222-hitting Zimmerman in the three-spot in the lineup for now. That familiar three-hole is where Zimmerman remains today. The Nationals are going with their right-handed-heavy lineup today against Orioles lefty Wei-Yin Chen, who is 7-2 with a 3.36 ERA on the season. Tyler Moore will play left, Xavier Nady will...

This one probably looks familiar to you. For the Orioles: Brian Roberts 2B J.J. Hardy SS Chris Davis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Wilson Betemit 3B Mark Reynolds 1B Nick Johnson DH Steve Pearce LF Wei-Yin Chen LHP Moyer Released: Veteran left-hander Jamie Moyer has requested and been granted his release from the organization this afternoon, exercising the opt-out clause in his contract. The Orioles don't need a fifth starter until next Saturday, so there was no need to purchase...