Orioles and Rangers lineups (and rotation note)

Orioles and Rangers lineups (and rotation note)
ARLINGTON, Texas - Nelson Cruz is serving as the Orioles' designated hitter again tonight against the Rangers. David Lough is in left field. Caleb Joseph gets another start behind the plate after going 2-for-4 with a tie-breaking double. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF Manny Machado 3B Nelson Cruz DH Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B J.J. Hardy SS Jonathan Schoop 2B David Lough LF Caleb Joseph C Bud Norris RHP For the Rangers Shin-Soo Choo LF Luis Sardinas SS Mitch Moreland 1B Adrian Beltre...

Roark takes hill as Nats seek sweep of Rangers (updated)

Roark takes hill as Nats seek sweep of Rangers (updated)
The Nationals have scored 19 runs in the first two games of their series against the Rangers and send right-hander Tanner Roark to the mound in search of an interleague sweep this afternoon. But it won't be easy. Texas ace Yu Darvish is 4-2 with a 2.35 ERA and brings so many pitches to the table that it took Nats manager Matt Williams about 30 seconds to list all all of them in a press conference yesterday. Of course, Roark is pretty solid, too. The 3-3 record and 3.47 ERA may look pretty...

Frandsen at second base, Espinosa sits (with Marlins lineup)

Frandsen at second base, Espinosa sits (with Marlins lineup)
For the second time in three days, Matt Williams' lineup has Kevin Frandsen playing second base, with Danny Espinosa on the bench. Frandsen gets the start today as the Nationals take on Marlins right-hander Henderson Alvarez. The switch-hitting Espinosa would typically be a better option against a righty starter, but Espinosa is now 0-for-his-last-13 with eight strikeouts and is hitting .123 with 34 strikeouts in 74 at-bats this month. Williams pinch-hit Frandsen for Espinosa in the ninth...

Marlins-Nats lineups for series opener vs. Marlins

Marlins-Nats lineups for series opener vs. Marlins
The Nationals hope to build off yesterday's win in Pittsburgh now that they're back home, and they'll send Tanner Roark to the mound in this afternoon's Memorial Day contest. The Nats welcome the Marlins to town, who are handing the ball to righty Nathan Eovaldi. For the MarlinsLF Christian Yelich2B Derek Dietrich RF Giancarlo Stanton 3B Casey McGehee 1B Garrett Jones C Jarrod Saltalamacchia CF Pablo Ozuna SS Adeiny Hechavarria RHP Nathan Eovaldi For the Nats CF Denard Span 3B Anthony...

LaRoche returns from DL, Walters optioned (plus lineups)

LaRoche returns from DL, Walters optioned (plus lineups)
Adam LaRoche is back from the left quad injury that landed him on the 15-day disabled list, and he'll go right into the Nationals lineup in his customary spots at first base and fourth in the batting order. For a team that's dropped a season-high four straight games, an infusion of offense is a welcome development. To make room for LaRoche on the 25-man roster, infielder Zach Walters was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse. The Nats will keep both Tyler Moore and Greg Dobbs, deciding their bench...

Nats turn to Strasburg to avoid falling below .500 (with lineups)

Nats turn to Strasburg to avoid falling below .500 (with lineups)
There's something about the prospect of Stephen Strasburg facing the Pittsburgh Pirates that gets Nationals fans downright giddy. Who could forget the hard-throwing right-hander's uber-hyped major league debut on June 8, 2010, when Strasburg fanned 14 Pirates in front of a sellout "Strasmas" crowd at Nationals Park. Yep, that 14-strikeout performance in his first big league game still stands as Straburg's career high in strikeouts. Who better to turn to when you've lost three straight and...

Espinosa and Moore sit, Walters and Dobbs start

Espinosa and Moore sit, Walters and Dobbs start
PITTSBURGH - Matt Williams is shaking up his lineup a bit a day after the Nationals put up just one run in a 3-1 loss to the Pirates. Danny Espinosa and Tyler Moore are out of the starting lineup tonight, with Zach Walters getting the start at third base and Greg Dobbs in there at first. Jordan Zimmermann will toe the rubber for the Nats, opposed by righty Charlie Morton. For the Nats CF Denard Span 2B Anthony Rendon RF Jayson Werth C Wilson Ramos SS Ian Desmond 1B Greg Dobbs 3B Zach...

Machado out of lineup (McFarland in clubhouse, Machado update)

Machado out of lineup (McFarland in clubhouse, Machado update)
The Orioles just posted their lineup for tonight's game against the Indians at Camden Yards, and Ryan Flaherty is starting at third base. Manny Machado, who exited last night's game in the 11th inning with tightness in his right groin, is listed among the reserves. Delmon Young is serving as the designated hitter. The Orioles haven't announced a roster move. Still waiting on that one. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF Jonathan Schoop 2B Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Nelson Cruz LF J.J. Hardy...

Frandsen in left, Moore at first against Cueto

Frandsen in left, Moore at first against Cueto
Kevin Frandsen will play left field and Tyler Moore will be at first base for the Nationals in tonight's game against the Reds. Right-hander Doug Fister makes his Nationals Park debut tonight and gets a stern test in going up against Reds righty Johnny Cueto, who owns a 4-2 record and a 1.25 ERA. For the RedsCF Billy HamiltonRF Skip Schumaker2B Brandon Phillips1B Todd FrazierC Brayan PenaLF Chris HeiseySS Zack Cozart3B Ramon SantiagoRHP Johnny Cueto For the NationalsCF Denard Span3B Anthony...

Dobbs gets first Nationals start

Dobbs gets first Nationals start
After getting 14 plate appearances as a pinch-hitter this season between the Marlins and Nationals, Greg Dobbs is in a starting lineup for the first time in 2014. The veteran utilityman will play first base for manager Matt Williams tonight. Dobbs has gone 2-for-14 this season, but singled up the middle on Friday in his first at-bat with the Nats. The Reds will send right-hander Mike Leake to the mound, while the Nats will go with Stephen Strasburg in the opener of this three-game set. For the...

Orioles and Royals lineups and update on Johan Santana

Orioles and Royals lineups and update on Johan Santana
David Lough is getting another start in left field tonight and Ryan Flaherty is starting at second base, as the Orioles and Royals play the second game of a four-game series at Kauffman Stadium. Nelson Cruz is serving as the designated hitter again after belting his team-leading 12th home run last night, a two-run shot that keyed the Orioles' 2-1 win. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF Manny Machado 3B Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Nelson Cruz DH Steve Clevenger C J.J. Hardy SS Ryan Flaherty 2B...

Lineups for Friday's Mets-Nationals opener

Lineups for Friday's Mets-Nationals opener
With left-hander Jonathon Neise on the mound for the Mets, Scott Hairston will return to left field for tonight's opener of a three-game series at Nationals Park. Right-hander Tanner Roark starts for the Nationals in the 7:05 p.m. For the Mets LF Eric Young Jr.2B Daniel Murphy3B David WrightCF Curtis GrandersonRF Bobby Abreu1B Lucas DudaC Anthony ReckerSS Ruben TejadaLHP Jonathon Niese For the Nationals CF Denard Span3B Anthony RendonRF Jayson WerthC Wilson RamosSS Ian DesmondLF Scott...

Frandsen gets the start in left against Diamondbacks' Arroyo

Frandsen gets the start in left against Diamondbacks' Arroyo
PHOENIX - The Nationals face veteran right-hander Bronson Arroyo tonight here at Chase Field in the second game of this three-game set against the Diamondbacks. Manager Matt Williams is going with Kevin Frandsen in left field today, this after Frandsen slugged a game-winning homer in the top of the ninth last night. Stephen Strasburg makes his ninth start this season, looking to improve upon his 3-2 record and 3.42 ERA. Arroyo is also 3-2 this season, but sports a 4.89 ERA. He started the...

Orioles and Tigers lineups (rotation update)

Orioles and Tigers lineups (rotation update)
Looking to stack his lineup with right-handers tonight, Orioles manager Buck Showalter decided to start Steve Pearce as his designated hitter and put Caleb Joseph behind the plate. The DH choice came down to Pearce or Delmon Young. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF Manny Machado 3B Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Nelson Cruz LF J.J. Hardy SS Steve Pearce DH Jonathan Schoop 2B Caleb Joseph C Ubaldo Jimenez RHP For the Tigers Ian Kinsler 2B Torii Hunter RF Miguel Cabrera DH Victor Martinez...

Hairston in lineup for Treinen's first Nationals start

Hairston in lineup for Treinen's first Nationals start
Scott Hairston is in the Nationals lineup tonight, making his first start since coming off the 15-day disabled list yesterday after missing time with a strained left oblique. He will bat fifth and play left field. Right-hander Blake Treinen will make his first start for the Nationals tonight, opposing Dodgers lefty Clayton Kershaw, the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner. Here's the Nationals lineup: CF Denard Span3B Anthony RendonRF Jayson Werth1B Adam LaRocheLF Scott HairstonSS...

Espinosa gets a day off in series finale vs. Phillies

Espinosa gets a day off in series finale vs. Phillies
PHILADELPHIA - Danny Espinosa will get the day off, and Kevin Frandsen will play third base against his former team in today's series finale. Gio Gonzalez will start for the Nationals, while the Phillies will give the ball to right-hander Roberto Hernandez (formerly known as Fausto Carmona). Cole Hamels was originally scheduled to start today for the Phils, but he was scratched due to the flu. For the Nationals For the Nats: CF Denard Span 3B Kevin Frandsen RF Jayson Werth 1B Adam LaRoche ...

LaRoche back in Nats lineup, Moore in left

LaRoche back in Nats lineup, Moore in left
PHILADELPHIA - After sitting out Wednesday's game against the Astros with a tight quad, Adam LaRoche is back in the Nationals lineup today in the series opener against the Phillies. LaRoche got two days of rest with yesterday's off-day, and apparently is good to go today. Tyler Moore will play left field tonight, with Kevin Frandsen and Nate McLouth both sitting. The Phillies will send Cliff Lee to the mound tonight, while Stephen Strasburg will get the ball for Matt Williams' squad. For...

Werth to DH, McLouth in right, Frandsen in left

Werth to DH, McLouth in right, Frandsen in left
HOUSTON - It seems a bit weird, but the Astros are an American League team now, which means the Nationals get to utilize the designated hitter during this brief two-game set in Houston. Tonight, the Nats' DH will be Jayson Werth. Manager Matt Williams will have Nate McLouth play right field tonight, and Kevin Frandsen will play left, replacing Bryce Harper, who will be out for around two months after having surgery to repair a torn ligament in his thumb today. Harper tweeted out this...

McLouth subs for shelved Harper in finale against Padres

McLouth subs for shelved Harper in finale against Padres
With Bryce Harper heading to the 15-day disabled list with a sprained left thumb, Nate McLouth gets the call to play left field for the Nationals this afternoon in the finale of a four-game series with the Padres. This is just the kind of situation the Nats were thinking of when they signed McLouth to a two-year, $10.75 million deal in December. It never hurts to have a veteran outfielder with a good glove and a little pop on your roster as a fourth outfielder when an injury occurs, as they...

Orioles and Royals lineups

Orioles and Royals lineups
Jonathan Schoop is starting at second base tonight and Ryan Flaherty is at third for the Orioles' series-opener against the Royals at Camden Yards. Nelson Cruz, batting second again as the designated hitter, will attempt to drive in a run in his eighth consecutive game. For the Orioles Nick Markakis RF Nelson Cruz DH Chris Davis 1B Adam Jones CF Matt Wieters C J.J. Hardy SS Ryan Flaherty 3B Jonathan Schoop 2B David Lough LF Ubaldo Jimenez RHP For the Royals Nori Aoki RF Omar Infante...