Jim Johnson has been one of baseball's best closers this year - now if the Orioles can just give him a save opportunity. Johnson, who is 16-for-16 this year in saves, has not recorded a save since May 22 and that was eight games ago. The O's 2-8 slide has taken their bullpen out of play some nights in that they haven't had a late lead to protect. Johnson is having an All-Star caliber year with a 0.84 ERA. In 21 1/3 innings he has given up just 13 hits with four walks and 14 strikeouts....

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Remember when Bill Hall was removed for a pinch-hitter in the ninth inning last night at Triple-A Pawtucket? I guess he needed more time to pack his bags. Hall is in Tampa - he confirmed it on Twitter - and will be added to the 25- and 40-man rosters for tonight's game against the Rays. Hall is replacing Nick Markakis on the 25-man. Markakis underwent surgery this morning to remove a broken hamate bone in his right wrist. The Orioles could transfer second baseman...

In 2007 and 2008 right-hander Brandon Erbe, 24, was making his way up through the Oriole minor league system, pitching for Single-A Frederick with the Keys. Now he is back and he's delighted to be with Frederick as his comeback from labrum surgery in August of 2010 continues. It's been a long road back for the Baltimorean and Orioles' 2005 third-round pick. Erbe pitched in just 4 2/3 innings all last year. But he recently came north to join the Keys from extended spring training. He said...

Following a nine-game road trip which seemed - to me, at least - to last a lot longer than a week and a half, the Nationals are finally back in the nation's capital and in the comfort of their own clubhouse. The road trip might have ended, but the tough stretch of division opponents has not. The Nats will host the Braves for three games this weekend, then will welcome the Mets to town for a three-game set before heading up to Boston to kick off the next round of interleague play. We still...

For Nationals fans, the only thing uglier than that rotating home run display in Marlins Park is the result of the series just concluded there: a three-game sweep that soured what had been a fine National League East road trip. With at least one series now in hand against each NL East opponent, the Nats have an 11-6 overall division mark - 4-2 against Philadelphia, 2-1 against the Mets and 3-0 against Atlanta. The only blemish is a 2-3 record against the new-look Marlins, continuing the Nats'...

I'm taking my 10-3 road record to St. Petersburg, Fla. for the three-game series against the Rays, following by a flight to Boston for a three-game series against the Red Sox. If nothing else, I'm guaranteed of still being above .500 when I return home. Nick Markakis is expected to meet with reporters at Tropicana Field this afternoon after undergoing surgery to remove a broken hamate bone in his right wrist. It's a 15-20 minute procedure - the ultimate in out-patient surgery. The only...

For the first time since re-aggravating a strained lat and being shut down in early April, outfielder Michael Morse played the field during a rehab game with Single-A Potomac tonight. Morse played five innings in right field and went 0-for-3 at the plate, making him 3-for-9 with a double and a walk in his three games with the P-Nats. Most importantly, however, he told reporters in Woodbridge, Va., that he felt no issues with his lat muscle while making a long throw from the warning track....

I'll make two fearless predictions about the Orioles now that we know Nick Markakis is headed to the disabled list and set for surgery on his right wrist Friday morning. I think there is a good chance that J.J. Hardy will be moved to the third spot in the batting order and I will guess that Jai Miller, if he is bypassed this time, has missed a golden chance this year to get to Baltimore by hitting .197 with 80 strikeouts over 152 at-bats. Ford, who has not played in the majors since 2007, is...

Gloves, bats, balls, catchers' equipment, bases, shoes, helmets, or anything you have to spare. With the aim of providing local youth an increased opportunity to play baseball and softball, the Nationals will collect baseball equipment in conjunction with the Baseball Tomorrow Fund this Sunday when they play the Braves at Nationals Park. Fans are encouraged to donate new and used equipment to benefit the D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation (DCDPR) and Major League Baseball initiative. In...

On Sunday, June 3, the Washington Nationals will team up with the Baseball Tomorrow Fund to host a baseball equipment collection during the Nationals-Braves series at Nationals Park. Fans are invited to donate new and used baseball equipment to benefit the D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation (DCDPR) as part of the ongoing commitment from Major League Baseball, its clubs and players to increase opportunities for youth participation in baseball and softball. In conjunction with...