Orioles manager Buck Showalter passed along some good news on Jim Johnson and some words of encouragement regarding first baseman Nick Johnson. First, the closer, who remains hospitalized but is apparently close to being sent home. Buck Showalter speaks with the media following the Orioles' 5-2 win over the Blue Jays "We're looking forward to getting J.J. back, and the hope is that he gets out tomorrow morning if he keeps his food down," Showalter said. "I know he ate tonight and has a...

Adam Jones picked a good time for his sixth homer of the season and Chris Davis did as well for his third of the year. Jones' drive to left leading off the last of the eighth just made it into the left field seats to break a 2-2 tie and propel the Orioles to a 5-2 win over Toronto tonight and a three-game sweep in front of 13,725 at Camden Yards. Two batters after Jones' homer, Davis hit a two-run shot to right for a three-run lead. It was his second homer in two nights and third of the...

The Nationals have officially begun negotiations with Lee County and the city of Fort Myers that could lead to the team moving its spring training facility as early as 2014.

Let's recap what happened in the sixth inning - the good, the bad and the ugly. Brian Matusz lost his shutout with two outs in the top half when first baseman Nick Johnson failed to backhand Eric Thames' bouncer along the line. Johnson, known for his defense and on-base percentage, whiffed on the ball as two runs scored. Thames was given a triple. Johnson was given an earful by fans already agitated by his failures at the plate. A single and walk put Matusz in hot water, but Edwin...

Brian Matusz hasn't gone more than 5 2/3 innings in his first three starts, but he needs three outs tonight to clear the sixth. Matusz is shutting out the Blue Jays on three hits, with one walk and two strikeouts. He's thrown 71 pitches, 50 for strikes. It would be great for Matusz to keep it going, but no matter what happens from here, it's been an encouraging start. He's only had one clean inning - the third - but he got a double play in the first after a leadoff walk, got two outs...

Some of you think the Orioles rush some pitchers to the major leagues. Drew Hutchison, tonight's Toronto starter against the Orioles, is just 21 years old and with just six career starts as high as Double-A on his resume before April 21. He made his major league debut then against Kansas City and got the win despite allowing five runs and eight hits over 5 1/3 innings. He began this year at Double-A New Hampshire, going 2-1 with a 2.16 ERA. Hutchison was not a high draft pick and was taken...

The Nationals have already locked up their sixth straight series win to start the 2012 season, but they'll look for their first sweep of three games or more when they take the field against the Padres tonight. Washington will face Padres right-hander Edinson Volquez, who has started the season with an 0-2 record and a 4.30 ERA. Chad Tracy will play third base tonight, as Ryan Zimmerman is still not in the lineup as he recovers from a shoulder injury. Here's manager Davey Johnson's lineup...

Joel Pineiro threw a five-inning simulated game today at the minor league complex and is headed to Triple-A Norfolk. Pineiro will be available to start for the Tides in five days, so a roster move is pending. The Orioles have a little more time to figure out how to make room for him. I told you earlier that Jim Johnson could be released from the hospital tomorrow morning. Here's a comment from manager Buck Showalter. The last line amuses me. "Talked to Jimmy today," Showalter said. "Not...

Nolan Reimold returns to the lineup tonight at Camden Yards for the first time since Friday and he said this time he's hopeful he is back for good after missing the past four games due to neck spasms. "I feel confident," Reimold, who is batting .370 with five homers, 10 RBIs and an OPS of 1.166, said. "I wouldn't play if I thought it was going to act up and get worse again. I think I am to the point where I can go out and play and it will be OK. So that is what I'm planning on it doing....

The Orioles Legends Celebration Series kicks off this Saturday, April 28, with the unveiling of a sculpture of Frank Robinson at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in the area beyond left-center field. Robinson's larger-than-life bronze sculpture is the first of six the Orioles will reveal this season, each depicting one of the greatest Orioles of all time. There will be a limited amount of space available for fans to view the unveiling itself, so those interested in watching should arrive at Eutaw...