"Nats Xtra" analyst Ray Knight talked on air last week about the Nationals' starting pitching staff in 2012 and how they could have at least three starters with the possibility of throwing 200 or more innings this season. Gio Gonzalez, Jordan Zimmermann and Edwin Jackson add up to a trio that could combine for well over 600 innings this campaign, something that has recently been unheard of from the Nationals. After all, southpaw John Lannan was the best last year, reaching 184 2/3...

Rick Ankiel has rejoined the Nationals after a week-long rehab assignment as he works back from a lingering quad injury, and the veteran center fielder is set to come off the DL and enter the Nats lineup tomorrow. Manager Davey Johnson said that Ankiel took part in a team workout this afternoon and "looks good to go." "He's in great shape," Johnson said. "He had a great rehab program. Did awfully well. Talked to him in the training room earlier. He's feeling fine." Ankiel hit .400...

Right-hander Dan Klein, the Orioles' third-round draft pick in 2010 out of UCLA, will undergo another shoulder procedure and he will likely miss all of the 2012 season. The rotator interval closure procedure will be performed by shoulder specialist Dr. Craig Morgan this Monday, April 16, in Wilmington, Del. It is expected to tighten the area around the shoulder capsule. It is a very similar procedure that Dr. Morgan performed on Matt Hobgood on April 2. Hobgood is expected to miss all this...

Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band announced today that they will perform at Nationals Park - home of the Washington Nationals - on Friday, September 14 as an extension of their 2012 'Wrecking Ball' World Tour. Tickets and parking will go on sale to the general public on Friday, April 27 at 10 a.m., online at www.tickets.com and by phone at 888.632.6287. The show will be held rain or shine and will be promoted by Live Nation. "We are excited to welcome Bruce Springsteen & the E Street...

Orioles manager Buck Showalter has made an interesting adjustment to his lineup tonight, inserting Mark Reynolds as the designated hitter and starting Wilson Betemit at third base against Blue Jays right-hander Brandon Morrow. This is Reynolds' first career start as the DH. Reynolds committed two errors in five games on the homestand. He started at third base in Wednesday's 10-inning loss to the Yankees. Reynolds sat out one game after fouling a ball off his left calf. For the...

Manager Davey Johnson's lineup for tonight's game against the Reds has Mark DeRosa back in left field, hitting sixth. Jordan Zimmermann takes the hill, hoping for his first win of 2012. Here are the lineups for both teams: Reds CF Drew Subbs SS Wilson Valdez 1B Joey Votto 3B Scott Rolen RF Jay Bruce LF Ryan Ludwig 2B Willie Harris C Ryan Hanigan P Bronson Arroyo Nationals SS Ian Desmond 2B Danny Espinosa 3B Ryan Zimmerman 1B Adam LaRoche RF Jayson Werth LF Mark DeRosa CF Roger Bernadina C...

As a team, the Nationals have 61 hits through the season's first week, a total which is fourth-best in the majors. Ian Desmond is hitting .406 out of the leadoff spot, Danny Espinosa has a .367 on-base percentage out of the two-hole and the Nats are giving themselves plenty of chances to drive in runs. They're just missing out on opportunities to do so in bunches. The Nationals have gone just 3-of-16 with three walks when they've come up with the bases loaded this season, and in 17 plate...

Orioles director of pitching development Rick Peterson said the early-season plan for Dylan Bundy calls for the Orioles' 2011 first-round pick to go three innings again in his next start Tuesday and then begin to bump up his innings per start after that. The goal is to have Bundy pitch through the entire year staying within his season limit of 120 to 130 innings while being able to pitch much deeper into games toward the end of this season. "We thought that (his going deeper into games late...

If you can withstand the Nationals' early-season offensive funk, you're guaranteed a bunch of hits and an error-free performance at Nationals Park on Friday, Sept. 14. And, yes, I know full well the Nationals are playing in Atlanta that evening. According to this blog post at USAToday.com, Nationals Park is among a series of stadiums that will play host later this year to iconic rocker Bruce Springsteen. The Boss is scheduled to bring his Wrecking Ball Tour to Nationals Park on Sept. 14, a...

Nationals outfielder Michael Morse will be shut down from baseball activities for at least six weeks as he recovers from reaggravating the lat injury that has forced him to miss the start of the 2012 baseball season. Morse will be reevaluated after six weeks, and if everything checks out, he will start a rehab program with games. That would peg a possible return in June or just before the All-Star break. Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman missed 58 games last season with an abdominal...