Former Nationals pitcher Chad Cordero was honored by his former team by throwing out the first pitch before Friday's match-up with the Atlanta Braves. Cordero threw the pitch in flip-flops, shorts and a red Nationals uniform top with his name and number on it. The pitch was outside and high to Drew Storen, the first time they had been on the same field in eight years. Cordero was in his rookie season in 2004 in a game at Cincinnati and saw a 15-year old Storen standing in the outfield...

For the Orioles, it has been nearly two months since their pitchers recorded three straight quality starts. Yes, it has been that long. They can make it three in a row tonight when Miguel Gonzalez pitches at Cleveland. From May 25 to May 27 against Kansas City, the Orioles posted three in a row. Jason Hammel pitched six scoreless innings, then Wei-Yin Chen gave up two earned runs over six and Brian Matusz allowed three earned runs in six innings against the Royals. The Orioles season high is...

There have been some national media members who have said or written that they expect the Nationals to be major players before the trade deadline. Some have talked about the Nats being in the mix for a big-name position player, like Justin Upton. Others have discussed the need for the Nationals to go get another starting pitcher to fill in for Stephen Strasburg once he's shut down. I've opined that such moves aren't necessary, barring some sort of injury over the next couple weeks....

Anthony Rendon has returned to playing baseball again. Now with the Gulf Coast league Nationals, he has played two games with no complications from his rehabbing ankle. On Thursday, he played three innings and went 0-for-2 with no defensive touches. Friday, he played seven innings and went 1-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. His two-run double was to left field in the top of the fourth. He was called out on strikes and had a swinging strikeout in his first two at-bats. He popped out to...

The Nationals are optimistic they'll be able to play tonight's game despite the rainy forecast for the D.C. region tonight. Should tonight's game get rained out before it starts, though, the Nats will just push their starters back and give Stephen Strasburg the ball for the first game of tomorrow's doubleheader. That would mean John Lannan wouldn't be needed tomorrow, which would be a tough break for the lefty, who's already in D.C. Piggybacking on MASNsports.com's Pete Kerzel's...

The Orioles today announced that they have acquired INF Omar Quintanilla (keen-tah-KNEE-uh) from the New York Mets in exchange for cash considerations. Quintanilla has appeared in 256 games over seven major league seasons with the Rockies, Rangers and Mets and has a .993 career fielding percentage (two errors in 297 chances) in 106 games at second base and a .984 career fielding percentage (seven errors in 444 chances) in 119 games at shortstop. In 80 plate appearances with New York this...

Two players on the Orioles Gulf Coast League team, third baseman Hector Veloz and right-handed pitcher Jhondaniel Medina have been suspended by the team. The suspensions began a few days ago and could end sometime next week. They were suspended for disciplinary reasons, a team official confirmed, but would not say what exactly had happened. Veloz was signed out of the Dominican to a $300,000 bonus in July of 2010, which is believed to be the largest bonus ever given to a Dominican amateur to...

WOODBRIDGE, Va. - If you were planning on heading to Pfitzner Stadium for Nationals outfielder Jayson Werth's injury rehabilitation assignment with the Single-A Potomac Nationals tonight, you may want to readjust your Friday evening plans. Werth has been scratched from tonight's game. In fact, he never even made it to Prince William County. Serveral minutes ago, he was spotted in the home clubhouse at Nationals Park. Based on the traffic gridlock I saw while zooming through the HOV lane on...

Ryan Flaherty gets another start at second base tonight, as manager Buck Showalter continues to platoon him with right-handed hitting Steve Tolleson. We'll see if that arrangement changes tomorrow after the Orioles acquired Omar Quintanilla from the Mets for future considerations or cash. For the Orioles: Nick Markakis RF J.J. Hardy SS Jim Thome DH Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Wilson Betemit 3B Chris Davis LF Mark Reynolds 1B Ryan Flaherty 2B Miguel Gonzalez RHP Also, Brian's Baseball...

Looking to add middle infield depth after losing Brian Roberts and Robert Andino to injuries, the Orioles have acquired Omar Quintanilla from the Mets for future considerations or cash. Quintanilla, 30, can play second base and shortstop, which comes in handy on this team. The Mets designated Quintanilla for assignment a few days ago. He was batting .257/.350/.371 with five doubles, one home run and four RBIs in 29 games this season. Quintanilla is a career .218/.278 /.294 hitter in seven...