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...

On Saturday, Danny Espinosa was out of the lineup after laboring through a 3-for-18 home stand. Then in the late innings, with the game on the line, Espinosa was summoned for a key pinch-hitting appearance. He lined the ball hard, but right at outfielder Xavier Avery for the out. Then Sunday, Espinosa was back in the lineup - and where else but leading off for the first time this season. He struck out twice, but also had a well-hit double and huge two-run homer to put the game on ice in a...

Making his first start in the leadoff spot this season during yesterday's win over the Orioles, Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run, a double and two runs scored. For the most part, it was a successful day for Espinosa, whose low offensive numbers have been a hot topic so far this season. But manager Davey Johnson saw something in Espinosa's performance he still didn't like: the 25-year-old recorded two more strikeouts. That gives Espinosa 50 Ks on...

With a quarter of the season in the books, the Orioles and Nationals are turning heads and bringing hope for a summer of excitement. But it's too early to label the Orioles and Nationals serious contenders for at least another three months. The last two seasons provide proof that surprise teams can begin to slip as early as June and as late as September. Nobody expected the Cleveland Indians to contend last season in the American League Central, but on May 23, they were in first place with a...

In looking at how well the Orioles have played this year, probably the biggest factor in having a record 12 games over .500 is the club's improved play within the American League East. This comes as a big development since the Orioles are going to play more than 70 games in the division again this year. Since 2009, here are the O's records against the East: * 2009: Went 24-48, .333 win percentage * 2010: Went 24-49, .329 win percentage * 2011: Went 28-45, .384 win percentage * 2012: Are...

The Orioles are winning and new executive vice president Dan Duquette and his team are getting their fair share of credit for restoring some hope to a moribund franchise. They surely deserve it, as they were directly responsible for bringing starting pitchers Jason Hammel and Wei-Yin Chen to Baltimore, as well as relievers Matt Lindstrom and Luis Ayala, who have helped to anchor a rejuvenated bullpen. But Duquette did not have to blow up this team to achieve this early-season success. Former...