Dylan Bundy's second pro start for the Orioles went about as well as the first one. In fact, just as he did in that outing last Friday night, Bundy tonight retired all nine batters he faced for Single-A Delmarva over three perfect innings, this time at Kannapolis, again with six strikeouts. He has pitched six perfect innings with 12 strikeouts over his first two outings. Bundy struck out the first batter he faced in this game and then the last five to come up against him. Bundy's line...

FLUSHING, N.Y. - Nationals closer Drew Storen had surgery to remove a small bone fragment from his elbow today, according to an industry source. The procedure was not considered major, and Storen is expected to return sometime during the middle of the season, likely before the All-Star break. Storen battled elbow issues in spring training, and was shut down when he started feeling tightness in the joint of his throwing elbow. He started picking up his rehab program last week, and while he...

The rain delay lasted 20 minutes. Jake Arrieta has warmed up and allowed a leadoff double to Derek Jeter and a two-run homer to Curtis Granderson. Six pitches into the game, the Orioles are losing, 2-0. The temperature here is 53 degrees, and it's not expected to go up. I checked. Arrieta is scheduled to pitch the series-opener in Chicago on Monday, going on normal rest, with Wei-Yin Chen being held back until Tuesday. That's what manager Buck Showalter meant by using the off-day on...

FLUSHING, N.Y. - For the first time in his professional career, Stephen Strasburg topped the 100-pitch mark today. To the bulk of the baseball world, that's a fairly major storyline. The Nationals, for the first time, really took the reins off their workhorse, their No. 1 starter, and let him throw 108 pitches over six innings in a 4-0 win over the Mets. Strasburg has been handled delicately since being taken with the No. 1 pick in 2009, his innings and pitch totals carefully monitored and...

Orioles manager Buck Showalter spoke briefly to third baseman Mark Reynolds this afternoon and wrote his name in the lineup. Showalter has noted that Reynolds, struggling in the field with two errors and at the plate with a .143 average, no homers and no RBIs, worked hard over the winter and deserves more of an opportunity. He also doesn't want to move Reynolds to first base or use any player as the primary designated hitter and lose the flexibility at that spot. Asked if he considered...

The Orioles signed 33-year-old right-hander Joel Pineiro to a minor league contract today. Orioles vice president Dan Duquette said they intend to get him soon into Triple-A Norfolk's rotation and he provides more depth for the major league club. He could eventually be a long reliever working out of the Orioles bullpen. "We agreed to terms with Joel Pineiro on a Triple-A contract," Duquette said a few minutes ago. "He's a winning major league pitcher. Has a good sinker and excellent...

The Orioles have scored 21 runs in their first five games to rank sixth in the American League. They are fourth with a .260 team batting average and third in homers with seven. But the club has struggled in this series and so far this season when batting with runners in scoring position. The Orioles are just 2-for-23 (.087) the last two nights and 6-for-41 (.146) in that stat through five games. "It's kind of like the team that has trouble shooting free throws and you go out and there and...

Triple-A Norfolk blew a seven-run lead in the ninth inning today and lost to Gwinnett, 14-12, in 11 innings. Things are tough all over. The Tides committed three errors, and four of the 14 runs were unearned. Infielder Steve Tolleson replaced Dontrelle Willis after the veteran left-hander walked the first batter he faced and went to a 3-0 count on the next hitter. Tolleson pitched an inning and allowed an unearned run and one hit. Brad Bergesen started the game and allowed four runs (three...

FLUSHING, N.Y. - The Nationals will head back to D.C. for their home opener possessing two series wins. Washington beat the Mets 4-0 this afternoon, giving them their second straight road series victory and a 4-2 record as they return to the nation's capital. Stephen Strasburg outdueled Johan Santana in an early season battle of the aces, as Strasburg went six shutout innings, allowing just two hits and striking out eight. The Nats righty threw a career-high 108 pitches before giving way to...

FLUSHING, N.Y. - The Nationals have gotten very little done at the plate today, but Stephen Strasburg is doing plenty to distract from Washington's poor offensive showing. Strasburg went deeper into a game today, in terms of pitches, than he has at any point in his professional career. The righty has been pulled from today's game after going six shutout innings, having allowed two hits and a walk. It took Strasburg 108 pitches to get through his six frames, marking the first time since he...