The Orioles made their final roster move this morning to get down to the required 26 players, announcing that they designated infielder Kelvin Gutiérrez for assignment. Gutiérrez joined the team on July 3 after having his contract purchased from the Royals, and he became the regular third baseman over the final month. He batted .248/.327/.336 in 47

SAN FRANCISCO – The Nationals are off today, with an opportunity to relax in Denver and contemplate all the positive developments that occurred during their weekend series triumph over the Giants before they open a three-game series Tuesday with the Rockies. Let’s take a moment to contemplate some things as well, with a particular emphasis on the b

Captain Obvious checked in with me again this weekend. To his credit, he first asked me how I was feeling and then discussed the O’s offense. He told me they were really struggling. This call came before Sunday’s game, when the Orioles scored a season-high nine runs. It was obvious they had a good day and we didn’t need any Captains to notice that.

The relievers didn’t talk about it. They didn’t call a meeting and discuss the responsibilities inherited when ace starting pitcher John Means underwent surgery on his elbow and was done for the rest of the season. They just knew. Means wasn’t around to absorb heavy innings and lessen the burden on the bullpen. Instead, the group would have to do m

The Washington Nationals have optioned LHP Sam Clay and LHP Francisco Perez to Triple-A Rochester. The active roster is now at 26.

SAN FRANCISCO – Josiah Gray had been here before. An otherwise dominant start was now teetering on the brink, often spoiled by an untimely home run surrendered. Here, then, was Gray in the bottom of the fifth this afternoon at Oracle Park, having just finally allowed his first hit of the game, now having subsequently loaded the bases with Darrin Ru

Following today’s game, the Orioles made the following roster move: Optioned OF Ryan McKenna to Triple-A Norfolk.

A manager uses six relievers to secure a win, he’s going to wish for a lengthy outing from his starting pitcher less than 24 hours later. Brandon Hyde watched Jordan Lyles strand two Red Sox runners in the first and second innings and leave the bases loaded in the third. Escape acts that should be applauded, but also left him at 55 pitches. The for

SAN FRANCISCO – Three right-handers who would probably be members of the Nationals rotation right now if healthy remain out, though two of them at least are about to cross a significant hurdle in their recoveries. Stephen Strasburg and Joe Ross are scheduled to face live hitters Wednesday in West Palm Beach, Fla. It’ll be the first time Strasburg h

SAN FRANCISCO – It’s been a strange series so far, with the Nationals blowing out the Giants on Friday night and then getting blown out Saturday afternoon. The end result of all that? They still have a chance to win the weekend series today if they can put everything together for nine innings. Josiah Gray gets the ball for his fifth start of the se