PHILADELPHIA - If Stephen Strasburg taking part in a game of Ultimate Frisbee on the field at Citizens Bank Park wasn't indication enough that the Nationals' ace is feeling just fine health-wise, manager Davey Johnson confirmed today that his ace came out of yesterday's start OK. Johnson said he wasn't really concerned about Strasburg's status, and he doesn't expect there to be any lingering effects from Strasburg's biceps tightness/overall fatigue. "He's going to make his next...

Orioles reliever Matt Lindstrom is eligible to come off the disabled list this Saturday but it could take a little longer than that for his return. Lindstrom has a partial tear in a ligament in the middle finger on his right hand and provided reporters with an update this afternoon. "The latest is that my finger is pain-free," Lindstrom said. "The biggest thing they told me is I need to be careful to let that ligament heal a bit better. Kind of a waiting period right now. I've been doing...

Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts hasn't played in a game since May 16, 2011, but he's nearing an injury-rehab assignment in the minors. Roberts and manager Buck Showalter won't reveal an exact date that Roberts would report to an affiliate, but they've got a pretty good idea. "We talk every day," Showalter said. "Probably a little more informed than what Brian is going to talk about publicly. Like I said earlier, it's more a matter of when and not if. "Hopefully, that's...

NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN THIS SWEEPSTAKES. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED BY APPLICABLE FEDERAL, STATE, OR LOCAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. VOID IN PUERTO RICO, U.S. TERRITORIES AND POSSESSIONS AND WHERE PROHIBITED. OPEN ONLY TO LEGAL U.S. RESIDENTS PHYISCALLY LOCATED AND RESIDING IN THE FIFTY (50) UNITED STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. MUST BE 18 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER. 1. TO ENTER FROM YOUR...

NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN THIS SWEEPSTAKES. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED BY APPLICABLE FEDERAL, STATE, OR LOCAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. VOID IN PUERTO RICO, U.S. TERRITORIES AND POSSESSIONS AND WHERE PROHIBITED. OPEN ONLY TO LEGAL U.S. RESIDENTS PHYISCALLY LOCATED AND RESIDING IN THE FIFTY (50) UNITED STATES AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. MUST BE 18 YEARS OF AGE AND OLDER. 1. TO ENTER FROM YOUR...

Manager Buck Showalter basically confirmed that second baseman Brian Roberts will join a minor league affiliate on an injury-rehab assignment, perhaps within the next few weeks, rather than report to extended spring training in Sarasota. Showalter is careful not to reveal too much information, but he didn't dispute Roberts' assertion that Sarasota will be bypassed. Roberts most likely would join Double-A Bowie or Single-A Frederick so he can stay close to Baltimore. Showalter shot down a...

Speaking about his possible return to the Orioles a few minutes ago in the O's clubhouse, Brian Roberts said he thinks he can begin a minor league rehab assignment sometime within the next few weeks. "I would hope so, yeah. I don't have a day, but I would like to think so, yeah," Roberts said of that time frame. He said his long road back from concussion symptoms may soon lead him back to the field and he can now finally see a finish line to this process. "Yeah, definitely," Roberts...

PHILADELPHIA - Here is the lineup for Game 1 against the Phillies. Steve Lombardozzi will be leading off for the Nats. Gio Gonzalez (5-1, 2.22 ERA) will take the mound. For the Nats: Steve Lombardozzi LF Bryce Harper RF Ryan Zimmerman 3B Adam LaRoche 1B Ian Desmond SS Danny Espinosa 2B Rick Ankiel CF Jesus Flores C Gio Gonzalez P

Rookie Xavier Avery gets another start in left field for the Orioles. Nick Johnson will serve as the designated hitter. For the Orioles: Xavier Avery LF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Chris Davis 1B Wilson Betemit 3B Nick Johnson DH Robert Andino 2B Tommy Hunter RHP Nolan Reimold is being examined by a team physician and will know later whether he needs a second epidural injection. Matt Lindstrom says his right middle finger remains pain-free and he'll...

PHILADELPHIA - This is my first time in Citizens Bank Park in a working capacity, and man, this place is nice. The press box is pretty spiffy and the park just has a nice intimate feel to it. I'll stop complimenting a division rival, I promise. For anyone concerned about Stephen Strasburg after yesterday's health scare, you can probably stop worrying. Strasburg was out on the field a bit ago running around playing Ultimate Frisbee with a bunch of the Nationals pitchers. He appeared to be...