The Washington Nationals today returned from rehab and reinstated right-handed pitcher Stephen Strasburg from the 60-day disabled list, recalled right-handed pitchers Yunesky Maya and Craig Stammen, left-handed pitcher Atahualpa Severino and outfielder Corey Brown from Syracuse of the Triple-A International League and selected right-handed pitcher Brad Peacock and infielder Steve Lombardozzi from Syracuse. Additionally, the club transferred right-handed pitcher Cole Kimball to the 60-Day DL,...

It's been raining all day in New York and the forecast calls for rain all night, but here's the Orioles' lineup, just in case they're able to play this game and avoid a doubleheader tomorrow. It includes Chris Davis at third base and Matt Angle in left field. Nolan Reimold remains on the bench. For the Orioles: Matt Angle LF J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Vladimir Guerrero DH Mark Reynolds 1B Matt Wieters C Chris Davis 3B Robert Andino 2B Tommy Hunter RHP For the...

Even though they lost eight of their last 10 regular season games, the Single-A Frederick Keys are back in the playoffs and will host Potomac tomorrow night in Game 1 of a best-of-five league semifinal series. Frederick finished with the best record in the Carolina League at 80-59 and that is also Frederick's best record ever. The Keys are in the playoffs for the fifth time in seven seasons and are looking for a fourth championship after winning Mills Cup titles in 1990, 2005 and 2007. The...

For those of you who know how yesterday's game went, it was an offensive shootout that unfortunately ended badly for the Orioles (yet again). It all started with Brian Matusz who lasted only 1 1/3 innings or, to put it better, four outs. In that short outing, he gave up five hits, five earned runs and two walks. So far this season, he is 1-7 with a 9.84 ERA. His longest outing of the season was 6 2/3 innings in which he gave up eight hits and six runs in the loss. In his 10 starts this...

There is some concern about the possibility that the Nationals might be rushing right-hander Stephen Strasburg back for tonight's game. The reasoning is that an entire season of rehab might be a better answer, so he is not subjected to the possibility of re-injury or new injury. After all, the Nationals are out of the race. There is no need to "chance" it. But it is also very difficult to tell to a pitcher with the makeup of Strasburg that he has to sit this one out. It is like that...

With Stephen Strasburg scheduled to make his 2011 debut with the Nationals this evening, I think it is important we remember Strasburg will be on a pitch count limit of 60 pitches. I think the Nationals will follow the same path the team took with Jordan Zimmermann's comeback last season. The Nationals kept Zimmermann on a pitch count between 70 to 86 pitches in his seven starts last season. As it looks now, Strasburg will make four starts before the season ends - if his arm is feeling well....

It was kind of a strange day, the final day of the regular season in the Double-A Eastern League. Bowie entered Monday a half-game behind Richmond for a playoff berth. Richmond took the lead in its game, 2-1 at Altoona with an eighth-inning homer that was followed by a rain delay. At that point, observers in the press box at Bowie figured if the game got stopped by rain there, it would revert to the previous inning and remain tied at 1-1. That would open the door for Bowie to win its game and...

If rain forces a postponement in one of the two remaining games at Yankee Stadium, I suggest an extreme split-doubleheader Thursday. Play one game in the Bronx and one at Camden Yards. The two teams have to go back to Baltimore for a makeup game, much to the chagrin of Yankees manager Joe Girardi and everyone else on the payroll. May as well play two. OK, that idea won't fly, but at least I'm thinking outside the box. Orioles manager Buck Showalter indicated yesterday during his postgame...

BOWIE, Md. - The Orioles confirmed after today's game that Chris Davis will come off the disabled list and rejoin the team tomorrow in New York. After playing two injury rehabilitation games at Double-A Bowie, Davis said his strained right shoulder is doing very well. "I feel great," Davis said after going 1-for-3 for the Baysox today and 2-for-3 Sunday. "I think today was the bigger test, playing third base. I had a bunt play where I had to throw across my body and use my arm without my...

I told you earlier that left-hander Clay Rapada would join the Orioles in New York. He won't be alone. A team official confirmed that the Orioles also will purchase reliever Jeremy Accardo's contract from Triple-A Norfolk, meaning they will have to clear two spots on the 40-man roster. Third baseman Josh Bell and Double-A Bowie infielder Pedro Florimon, both on the 40-man, will be recalled. As expected, first baseman Chris Davis will come off the disabled list after going 3-for-6 in two...