It's unfortunate that an injury is the reason why outfielder Xavier Avery is back in the majors, but he's making an impact again tonight. Batting leadoff with Brian Roberts on the disabled list, Avery is 2-for-3 with a run scored, and he's a central figure in this game, which had been scoreless until the sixth inning. Avery led off the inning with his second hit of the night and later scored on Chris Davis' third hit of the series. Talk about setting a tone. Avery began a streak of four...

The Orioles today announced that they have placed INF BRIAN ROBERTS on the 15-day disabled list with a right groin strain, retroactive to July 2, and recalled OF XAVIER AVERY from Triple-A Norfolk. Roberts has batted .182/.233/.182 in 17 games since making his return from a concussion on June 12. On June 22, he passed AL BUMBRY and into a tie for sixth place with KEN SINGLETON for multi-hit games with the O's (388). Avery is joining Baltimore for the third time this season. He has batted...

The Washington Nationals today placed right-handed pitcher Chien-Ming Wang on the 15-Day Disabled List, retroactive to July 1, with a right hip strain and returned from rehab and reinstated right-handed pitcher Henry Rodriguez from the DL. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Rodriguez was 1-3 with nine saves and a 5.14 ERA in 24 appearances this season with Washington before being placed on the 15-Day Disabled List on...

Second baseman Brian Roberts is going on the disabled list with a strained groin, which explains the Orioles' delay in posting tonight's lineup and outfielder Xavier Avery's arrival in Seattle. Avery has been recalled from Triple-A Norfolk after being optioned on Sunday. He didn't need to spend the required 10 days in the minors because he's replacing a player who's on the DL. Roberts is batting .182/.233/.182 with five RBIs in 17 games. He sat out last night's 6-3 loss, so the DL...

Congratulations to the Orioles for being the only team in baseball that hasn't posted its lineup. Maybe they're waiting on Brian Roberts, who didn't play last night because of a sore groin. In the meantime... For the Mariners: Ichiro Suzuki RF Casper Wells LF Kyle Seager 3B Jesus Montero DH Miguel Olivo C Michael Saunders CF Justin Smoak 1B Dustin Ackley 2B Brendan Ryan SS Felix Hernandez RHP Taylor Teagarden played in his second rehab game for the Gulf Coast League Orioles today,...

It wasn't that long ago that Tim Lincecum was without question one of the top two or three pitchers in baseball. The Giants righty won the National League Cy Young award in 2008 and 2009 and made the All-Star Game each of the last four years. This season has been a little different for Lincecum. He entered today with a 5.60 ERA, and that number has only risen tonight. Lincecum has allowed five runs on eight hits through just three innings. Ian Desmond has two of those hits, including a...

It appears that the comeback of right-handed pitcher Brandon Erbe, the Orioles third-round pick in 2005, has hit another roadblock. Erbe had been pitching well and was pain-free for Single-A Frederick, but after two straight poor outings, has been placed on the Keys' disabled list today. For now, Erbe is being shut down due to more shoulder issues. It's possible he won't be able to return this year. Erbe had been on the comeback trail from labrum surgery in August of 2010. He had an ERA of...

Remember that whole "Bryce Harper vs. Chipper Jones for the last spot on the National League All-Star team" thing? Yeah, that won't be happening. Jones has been named to the All-Star team as an injury replacement for Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp, removing him as a candidate for the Final Vote. It's a little uncertain what will happen now, but Harper clearly now has a better shot of earning that final NL roster spot for the Midsummer Classic. As of earlier today, he ranked third in voting...

The Nationals have placed struggling right-hander Chien-Ming Wang on the 15-day disabled list with a right hip strain and reinstated reliever Henry Rodriguez from the DL. Wang's DL stint is retroactive to July 1. This is his second time on the disabled list this season; he missed the first 42 games of the season due to a strained left hamstring which he suffered in spring training. Manager Davey Johnson said today that Wang's personal trainer thought there was an issue with the veteran...

The Nationals have made headlines and statements with the way they have played this season because of the amount of talent the organization has accrued the past few seasons. It is unchartered territory for the Nationals. The franchise used to be challenging for a top draft pick. Now, they are challenging for the NL East crown. One reason? Or should I say three reasons? I.D., Gio and Stras, of course. The three Nationals honored with invitations to next week's All-Star game represent the...