The Nationals are not concerned about Ian Desmond's first start as a leadoff man. Desmond went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts against Derek Lowe and Braves relievers in Thursday's season opener at Nationals Park. Desmond batted .290 with an on-base percentage of .364 in spring training, getting most of his leadoff starts after the team traded Nyjer Morgan to Milwaukee. Last year, Desmond batted .269 with an on-base percentage of .308 in 154 games. He struck out 109 times. Will Desmond have...

Well, just a few days ago we were wondering if Chris Tillman would make the Orioles' roster and now he is starting the second game of the season. That shows how much in a state of flux this rotation is in right now, due to injuries and pitchers getting hit with line drives As Tillman gets ready to take the mound tonight against Tampa, fans may be wondering why Tillman's Triple-A success the last two years has not yet translated to big league success. Over the past two seasons, Tillman has...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - One game, one win. That's perfection in my book. Of course, a franchise with 13 straight losing seasons can't function without a little adversity. The entire front office might break out in a rash if all the news is good. The revelation about Brian Matusz's back and the MRI result put a real damper on last night's festivities. Jeremy Guthrie should have been the center of attention. He was brilliant. "I've seen him pretty good, last August and September, but...

The injury to Brian Matusz put a damper on the first day of the season. But if we could put that aside for a minute, the O's performance last night was very encouraging. Brian Roberts and Nick Markakis led the offense, the Orioles made a few very solid plays on defense and Jeremy Guthrie pitched a brilliant game. Guthrie did a great job using his secondary pitches to offset his, at times, mid-90s heater. It may have been one of the better nights ever for his "secondaries." It was nice to...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The news on Brian Matusz is unfortunate, to say the least, but we shouldn't focus entirely on the negative after a 4-1 win over the Rays. Jeremy Guthrie was superb, blanking the Rays on three hits over eight innings. No way he was coming out for the ninth with his pitch count at 94. "We were able to throw a lot of secondary pitches in good spots for strikes," Guthrie said. "I always work on those pitches as much as I can. Both the curveball and changeup are pitches...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - I'd point out that Brian Matusz is snakebit, but that's about the only bad thing that hasn't happened to him in Florida. Matusz said he began noticing some discomfort in his back last week, and it grew progressively worse until he couldn't throw this afternoon. "It really did sneak up on me," he said after tonight's 4-1 victory over the Rays. "About four or five days ago, I was feeling some soreness in my lat area. Typical soreness, just like I'd feel after any...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Brian Matusz has been diagnosed with a strained intercostal muscle, which will force him on the disabled list and bring Zach Britton to the majors. Manager Buck Showalter confirmed that Britton, who dazzled in spring training, will make Sunday's start. And president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail estimated that Matusz could miss anywhere from three to six weeks. Buck Showalter announces Zach Britton will pitch Sunday against Tampa Bay "With the duration that we...

What a performance by Jeremy Guthrie. After going 8-4 with an ERA of 2.76 after the All-Star break last year, Guthrie opened the 2011 season with eight brilliant, shutout innings tonight in a 4-1 win over Tampa. Ben Zobrist homered off Jim Johnson leading off the last of the ninth to get Tampa's only run. Guthrie gave up just three hits with one walk and six strikeouts. Tampa batters went just 3-for-26 against him. Johnny Damon, Evan Longoria and Manny Ramirez were a combined 0-for-9 vs....

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - It's official: Chris Tillman will start tomorrow night's game against the Rays. Tillman was scheduled to start on Sunday, but he's needed tomorrow after Brian Matusz was scratched. Matusz underwent an MRI this afternoon on his sore back, and we're still waiting for the results. No word on Sunday's starter. Mark it down as TBA. It's possible that Brad Bergesen gets the call after throwing two innings in Wednesday's simulated game. Update: Jeremy Guthrie is...

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Don't ask about the missing "s." Jeremy Guthrie said he was ready for the regular season after allowing four runs and 12 hits in five innings against the Blue Jays in Dunedin. You could be forgiven for doubting him. Now you owe him an apology. Guthrie has held the Rays to two hits over six innings - a double by Dan Johnson in the second and a single by Ben Zobrist in the sixth. Guthrie hasn't walked a batter and he's struck out six. He's thrown 71 pitches, 52...