Left-hander Brian Matusz gave up a run in the top of the first inning, which doesn't sound too bad. However, he returned to the dugout with his pitch count at 30. He'll need to become a lot more economical, or we're going to find out how manager Buck Showalter works his bullpen without a true long man. Matusz kept falling behind hitters, though Mark Teixeira's two-out, RBI single came on a 1-2 pitch. Derek Jeter led off with a single, making him 9-for-20 lifetime against Matusz. Alex...

FLUSHING, N.Y. - While the news on Drew Storen's rehab from elbow tightness certainly isn't good, things appear to be improving for three other Nationals currently on the disabled list. Michael Morse will play nine innings for low Single-A Hagerstown tonight, and if all goes well, he's scheduled to get a full nine innings in again tomorrow. The Nats power-hitting left fielder, who has been battling a strained lat, is eligible to come off the DL and rejoin the major league club tomorrow, but...

FLUSHING, N.Y. - Drew Storen will be examined by renowned orthopedist Dr. James Andrews tomorrow after the Nationals closer felt some tenderness in his right elbow following a simulated game yesterday. This is the second time that Storen has been shut down by elbow problems this spring, as the 24-year-old felt tightness in his throwing elbow midway through spring training. He's been on the comeback trail recently, playing catch and then subsequently throwing off a mound, but after facing...

Catcher Taylor Teagarden remains on the disabled list with lower-back issues, and it doesn't appear that he's close to joining the active roster. "Better than it was, but still not real fast progress," manager Buck Showalter said. Chris Correnti, the Orioles' performance consultant who's responsible for overseeing the rehabilitation of injured players, told Showalter that Zach Britton is "real excited about finally getting the ball back in his hand." Britton will play catch on...

He was signed by the Orioles to a three-year contract with a club option for 2015 back in January and tomorrow Wei-Yin Chen makes his official Orioles' debut. Manager Buck Showalter slated him to start the fifth game to give him more time to settle in as a big leaguer, but that also means he faces the Yankees right out of the box. "I'm feeling nervous right now, a little bit. I'm just preparing the best I can right now for tomorrow," Chen said through his interpreter this afternoon in...

It took awhile for Buck Showalter to proclaim that Jim Johnson is his closer for this year, but now that he is, Showalter seems confident in what Johnson can do in the role. Johnson is 2-for-2 in save chances over the first three games and now has saved 10 straight dating back to last Aug. 14. He certainly seems comfortable now in that role. "We hope so," Showalter said. "Jimmy, I don't know what else you can, with the things he's been exposed to, not be any more prepared for it. Whether...

Tsuyoshi Wada started his first extended spring training game today, throwing 88 pitches in six innings. The reports say that his left arm felt good. Wada will pitch again Saturday in another extended spring training game, and he'll join one of the affiliates for a start on April 19. Zach Britton is scheduled to pick up a ball and play catch for the first time Thursday since having a Platelet Rich Plasma treatment on his left shoulder. Britton's return to the Orioles is further down the...

FLUSHING, N.Y. - Wilson Ramos will get his first day off of the season, as manager Davey Johnson has written Jesus Flores into his lineup today. Flores will catch Edwin Jackson in the righty's first start with the Nationals. Jackson will oppose the 3-0 (yeah, who would've thunk it?) Mets. Here are your lineups for tonight's game: Nationals SS Ian Desmond 2B Danny Espinosa 3B Ryan Zimmerman 1B Adam LaRoche RF Jayson Werth LF Mark DeRosa CF Roger Bernadina C Jesus Flores P Edwin...

For the Orioles: Nolan Reimold LF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C Mark Reynolds 3B Wilson Betemit DH Chris Davis 1B Robert Andino 2B Brian Matusz LHP

Maybe it should come as no surprise that Tyler Townsend is hitting well again. The Orioles' third-round pick in 2009 out of Florida International is off to a fast start in his debut season in the Double-A Eastern League. After going 0-for-3 in Thursday's opener, Townsend is 5-for-11 over Bowie's last three games with three homers and six RBIs. At this very early stage, he leads or is tied for the league lead in homers, RBIs, slugging and total bases. His OPS is 1.438. "I am seeing the...