Orioles lefty Dana Eveland is packing his bags. Again. For the third time this year, he has been designated for assignment. It happened again today so the Orioles could add Miguel Socolovich back to the active roster. Eveland was added to the O's roster just yesterday and was here this time for just one game that he never pitched in. "I didn't know what was going to happen," Eveland said this afternoon. "I was happy when I found out I was coming up yesterday. I wasn't sure if I'd be...

Second baseman Robert Andino, on the disabled list with a strained left shoulder, is scheduled to begin an injury-rehab assignment Tuesday at Double-A Bowie. Andino is expected to play three games for the Baysox before being activated next Friday, when the Orioles begin a three-game series against the Rays in St. Petersburg, Fla. The original plan called for Andino to fly down to Sarasota, but it's no longer deemed necessary. Manager Buck Showalter is hoping that catcher Matt Wieters'...

The Nationals have announced the unconditional release of outfielder Rick Ankiel. The 33-year-old was designated for assignment last week. He cleared waivers, but was unclaimed, and now becomes a free agent. The center fielder was batting .228/.282/.411 on the season for the Nats, with five home runs and 15 RBIs. Meanwhile, the Nats are set to face the Brewers after taking the first game of the four-game set last night 8-2. Sandy Leon will be behind the plate, as Ross Detwiler looks to lead...

Mired in a 1-for-30 slump, some might say Matt Wieters has a sore bat. Now, he has a tight right bicep to match. He is not in tonight's lineup because of that. He felt some discomfort during yesterday's game. "I took a few swings yesterday where I got a little tight with the right bicep, and we just want to make sure we can get that full go," Wieters said. "If we take a day off today, we should be good to go tomorrow. Don't want to turn a one-day tightness into something more, that's...

One of the younger prospects displaying his talent early is draft pick Mike McQuillan, a left-handed second baseman out of the University of Iowa, who is getting noticed for his nice start at short-season Single-A Auburn. McQuillan is hitting .293 with two doubles, two triples, one homer and five RBIs in 13 games for Auburn. Don't remember seeing McQuillan on the depth chart? McQuillan was selected in the 33rd round as pick No. 1,014. The Nationals selected only eight players after...

The Orioles today announced that they have recalled right-hander Miguel Socolovich from Triple-A Norfolk. Left-hander Dana Eveland has been designated for assignment to make room for Socolovich on the 25-man roster. Socolovich made his major league debut on July 14 vs. Detroit after having his contract selected earlier in the day and pitched to a 9.00 ERA (4.0IP, 4ER) in two appearances with the Orioles. He is 3-0 with a 2.01 ERA (49.1IP, 11ER) in 26 games for the Tides this season and was...

J.J. Hardy is starting at shortstop tonight after X-rays taken yesterday on his ribcage came back negative. However, Taylor Teagarden is catching tonight instead of Matt Wieters. Explanation to follow. For the Orioles: Nick Markakis RF J.J. Hardy SS Jim Thome DH Adam Jones CF Chris Davis LF Wilson Betemit 3B Mark Reynolds 1B Omar Quintanilla 2B Taylor Teagarden C Zach Britton LHP For the Athletics: Coco Crisp CF Jonny Gomes DH Josh Reddick RF Yoenis Cespedes LF Chris Carter...

Nationals prospect Anthony Rendon homered for the third consecutive game in his rehab debut with short-season Single-A Auburn Doubledays. Rendon smacked a solo shot in his first at-bat Thursday, struck out twice and walked. Rendon will continue his rehab tonight as the designated hitter. He will then get Saturday off. Auburn manager Gary Cathcart confirmed yesterday that the plan with Rendon would be for him to play third base, serve as the designated hitter and get some days off. Rendon is...

For the Orioles, the next nine games may well determine if they can truly be in or out of the wild-card race for the rest of this season. They are currently 1.5 games out of the second AL wild-card spot. Breaking a three-game losing streak Thursday was big and the Orioles are 6-3 over the last nine games. But now their next nine will be against the red-hot A's this weekend, followed by a six-game road trip against the Yankees and Rays. It is a pretty grueling stretch that has...

Nationals fans have a lot to smile about this morning. For the first time since baseball returned to D.C., the Nationals are 20 games over .500. Actually, this is the first time a D.C.-based baseball team has been 20 games above .500 since all the way back in 1945. The Nationals currently are tied with the Yankees for the best record in baseball. They have a five-game lead over the Braves in the National League East. Even if the Nats only win half their remaining games, they'll finish...