Despite the 4-0 loss to the Braves in Game 1 of today's doubleheader, the Nationals got some good news when they found out Bryce Harper's left ankle was merely bruised and not broken. Tests revealed that Harper has a contusion on the left ankle, which comes as a result of a fouled bunt in the rookie outfielder's first-inning plate appearance. The ball drilled Harper on the inner part of his ankle, and even though he remained in the game and played center field in the second inning, manager...

The Orioles created space for middle infielder Omar Quintanilla on their 25-man roster today by designating outfielder Steve Pearce for assignment. The decision came down to Pearce or Steve Tolleson. The Orioles decided they wanted to keep Tolleson, who has options remaining, so they would have a right-handed hitting infielder to share at-bats with Quintanilla and Ryan Flaherty. The Orioles could have placed reliever Matt Lindstrom on the disabled list after he took a Johnny Damon line drive...

Double-A Bowie right-handed pitcher Bobby Bundy is expected to miss the rest of the season and is very likely headed for surgery. An MRI discovered that Bundy has bone spurs in his right elbow. The older brother of Dylan Bundy, the Orioles' top pitching prospect, Bobby Bundy had given up 15 runs in just 3 2/3 innings in his last two starts for Bowie, on July 3 and 8. He is 2-11 with an ERA of 6.25 on the year over 17 Baysox starts. In 80 2/3 innings with Bowie, Bundy allowed 98 hits with 35...

The Orioles today added infielder Omar Quintanilla (keen-tah-KNEE-uh) to their 25-man roster. To make room for Quintanilla, outfielder Steve Pearce has been designated for assignment. Quintanilla was acquired yesterday from the New York Mets in exchange for cash considerations. He 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...

Brian's Baseball Bash, the Aug. 12 fundraiser hosted by Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts to benefit the University of Maryland Children's Hospital, has been canceled. According to an announcement on the event's Web site, the fundraiser at Dave & Buster's at Arundel Mills Mall, was canceled "due to uncertainty around Brian's availability and condition after his recent injury." Roberts, who returned to the Orioles earlier this season after missing substantial time because of...

Ryan Flaherty is getting another start at second base tonight for the Orioles. Newly acquired middle infielder Omar Quintanilla will join the team today, but he won't be in the starting lineup. And he's not listed on the lineup card among the reserves. 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 Chris Tillman RHP

The Triple-A Norfolk Tides are 21-11 over their last 32 games and are now 51-50 on the season. The 32-game run has moved the Tides within six games of first place in their division and within 4 1/2 games of an International League wild card playoff spot. Norfolk's 51 wins are just five shy of matching the entire season total from 2011, when Norfolk finished a franchise-worst 56-87. The Tides have used 23 different starting pitchers, two shy of the league record of 25 set by the 2002 and 2004...

After yesterday's 11-inning slopfest in which the Nationals used five relievers, they needed Edwin Jackson to eat innings and give them a chance to win Game 1 of today's doubleheader. Eat innings - check. Give the Nats a chance to win - check. Jackson has worked six fantastic frames so far today, allowing just one run on four hits. The righty has struck out eight and has benefited from a fantastic slider which has left Braves hitters flailing all afternoon. Unfortunately for Jackson and...

Chris Tillman didn't make it out of the first inning in his last start against the Minnesota Twins, allowing one earned run (seven total) and five hits in two-thirds of an inning. A Mark Reynolds error complicated Tillman's night, but the opening frame has been a challenge throughout his career. In 38 career starts, Tillman has posted an 8.12 ERA in the first inning and opponents are batting .348/.416/.585 against him. Tillman has made two starts against the Indians, allowing seven runs...

Bryce Harper has been taken out of the first game of today's doubleheader after bunting a ball off the inside of his left ankle in the bottom of the first inning. The Nationals rookie outfielder limped around in obvious pain and dropped to a knee before getting attended to by a trainer. Harper remained in the game at the time, finishing his at-bat despite the fact he was noticeably hobbling. He struck out swinging at a Ben Sheets curveball just a pitch after the foul bunt. Harper played...