Nationals' manager Davey Johnson believes Ian Desmond in the leadoff spot is a work in progress as they continue to search for the answer to the biggest question mark in the batting order for 2011. Recently, Desmond has hit leadoff the last two games against the Reds and again Friday versus the Phillies. He is 0-for-6 in those two games, the first time he has hit leadoff since a stretch from March 31 to April 14. On Thursday, Desmond induced a walk and laid down a nice 3-4 sacrifice to...

Reliever

Two Orioles' minor league teams clinched playoff berths today. The Orioles entry in the Dominican Summer League is headed to the playoffs and clinched its division with a record of 45-24. The DSL Orioles have the third best record in that 33-team league. In the DSL, six teams make the playoffs, the five division winners and a wild card team. Two teams get opening-round byes and the first two rounds are best of three series with the championship series a best of five-game set. The O's DSL...

When the Nationals sent a message to season ticket-holders earlier this week, urging prompt renewal in exchange for a 5 percent discount, I thought about my season ticket group - a collection of baseball fans who started out as the means to help me buy better seats than I might otherwise and have become a bigger part of my life. So if I might, I'd like to tip my cap to the 27 Nationals fans and one Mets fan who are or have in the past been members of my group. Yes, there are 28 of them total....

There are several players that need to step up their games and show what they can do in what is left of this Orioles season. One player I put in that category is outfielder Nolan Reimold. Reimold is finally getting to start just about every day in left field and he needs to start looking more like the player the Orioles saw in 2009 than what he has shown the past two years. In 2009 in 104 games, Reimold hit .279 with 15 homers, 45 RBIs and an .831 OPS in 358 at bats. He was the American...

Otherwise known as the Major League Baseball draft. The Orioles just completed what many are calling a very successful draft. It seems to me that the draft has only been getting serious mainstream attention over the last three, maybe four years, I don't remember the draft being televised or dissected as much when I was younger. Don't get me wrong, this is a good thing and a byproduct of the wondrous age of information in which we all live. Not to mention that baseball is trying to get in on...

The Nationals' Jonny Gomes said he had three choices as he watched Joey Votto's blast approach him in left field corner. One, he could watch it drop and Votto would have a double. Two, he could turn and see if the ball ricocheted off the wall and Votto would be standing at second base. Or, three, Gomes could go after the ball and get the out. Gomes took option No. 3, a running catch where the foul line meets the green outfield wall. Gomes caught the ball and collided hard into the padding in...

Even the teams with the worst records in baseball name a Most Valuable Player. I think it's the law. In Baltimore, that honor is known as Most Valuable Oriole - or MVO if you'd like to save space. I'm always reminded of the year that the media bestowed that honor upon B.J. Surhoff. Reporters gathered at his locker after a game, seeking his reaction to the news. He looked up from his stool and said, "I know why you chose me. Cal's hurt and you hate Albert." An instant classic. We still...

Nationals top prospect Bryce Harper injured his right hamstring running the bases in the eighth inning Thursday for the Double-A Harrisburg Senators in Akron, Ohio. The Nationals announced Harper suffered a right hamstring strain and will be re-evaluated Friday. Harper was injured rounding second base in front of a double by Archie Gilbert. Harper was replaced by outfielder Chris Rahl. Harrisburg won the game 4-2 over the Aeros. Harper went 1-for-3 in the game and had walked to lead off the...

Nationals manager Davey Johnson said right-hander Stephen Strasburg will make his fourth rehab start Monday night in Hagerstown for the Suns against Hickory. Game time is 7:05 p.m. at Municipal Stadium. Johnson said Strasburg would be scheduled to go four innings and maximum of 65 pitches. He also said that Strasburg would then go to Syracuse August 27 and pitch for the Chiefs in his fifth rehab start. Strasburg will throw Friday at Nationals Park. Johnson and Nationals pitching coaches will...