The Washington Nationals today recalled from rehab and reinstated third baseman Ryan Zimmerman from the 15-Day Disabled List and optioned right-handed pitcher Craig Stammen to Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. Nationals Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Zimmerman missed the last 58 games (27-31 team record during that span) after being placed on the DL on April 12, retroactive to April 10, with a left abdominal...

The Orioles announced today that they have reinstated first baseman Derrek Lee from the bereavement list. Lee has batted .229 (40-175) with four home runs and 15 RBI in 45 games for the Orioles.

Chris Jakubauskas wasn't expected to rejoin the rotation until Saturday, when the Orioles needed a fifth starter, but he's taking the ball tonight in the series opener in Toronto. Manager Buck Showalter bumped rookie left-hander Zach Britton to Friday's game in Washington, which might seem puzzling. Wouldn't he want Britton going against a division rival? Well, it's a small sample size, but the Blue Jays scored seven runs off him (five earned) in five innings in a June 3 start at...

Well, friends. It's that time. I know there's no crying in baseball, but it's difficult to say goodbye. Over the past five years, I've been blessed with countless opportunities to immerse myself in a game I love with all my heart. I learned so much during that time, more than I ever could have imagined. One of the most rewarding parts of writing this blog was showcasing and promoting all of the good work the Washington Nationals do in the community. I hope in some small way, this blog has...

For first baseman Joe Mahoney, this has been a frustrating season with most of his time spent on the disabled list in a rehab mode. Now he looks forward to having some fun. After two stints on the disabled list with a quad injury, Mahoney is expected to play for Double-A Bowie for the first time tonight since May 3. After several weeks of rehab in Sarasota, Mahoney came north over the weekend and played three games for Single-A Frederick, going 4-for-8 with two doubles, two RBIs and four...

The Orioles begin a nine-game road trip tonight at Toronto. It's pretty much about time - or maybe past time - that the Orioles post some wins there. They begin this series having lost 14 straight and 23 of their last 25 at Toronto. They went 3-15 against the Jays last year, including an 0-9 mark in Canada. The Orioles' records the past five seasons there are 3-7, 3-6, 3-6, 1-8 and 0-9. Yes, that is 1-17 the last two years at Toronto. Perhaps making the Orioles' job more difficult in...

We all know the story. The Baltimore ball club has been a losing club for 13 straight seasons and they have a very good chance to have a 14th straight sub-.500 season in 2011. But for a rebuilding team, how much does that matter? The Orioles took steps in the offseason to improve the offense and turn that trend around. But the Vladimir Guerrero and Derrek Lee signings have not really panned out. Free agency has not really worked out for the bullpen, either, as Kevin Gregg and Jeremy Accardo...

Third baseman Ryan Zimmerman is scheduled to make his return to the Nationals lineup today after missing 58 games as a result of an abdominal injury. It's been a day the club has been looking forward to practically all season, and it's one that could desperately help the club out of its horrendous offensive slump. In his absence, the Nationals have gone 27-31 overall, but have survived on their stellar pitching. At the plate, the club has hit just .229, and has managed to score only 496...

While meeting with reporters following his last start, when he held Oakland to one run in 6 1/3 innings, rookie Zach Britton explained how he found better results after moving from the third base to the first base side of the pitching rubber. As a refresher, I give you the quote that I posted: "I kind of moved over on the other side of the mound. I was on the third base side, went back to the first base side. And I felt like I had a little better action on my pitches. My slider was there...

Pitching for Single-A Hagerstown, left-handed prospect Sammy Solis notched his first win as a professional Thursday with an impressive outing over Delmarva. Solis went 6 2/3 innings in his longest start of the season, allowing just five hits and one run, with five strikeouts and one walk. "It felt great giving the team a chance to win a game after my first two outings," he said. "It is still early in the season for me. I feel as though I can only get stronger." Solis hit 96 mph on...