Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond will go tonight but center fielder Roger Bernadina did not start. However, Rick Ankiel left the game in the second inning, Bernadina pinch hit and took over in center. We are awaiting word on the reason for Ankiel leaving the game. Nationals manager Jim Riggleman said they are going to watch Desmond carefully tonight to see how his sore left thigh reacts. "Desmond has had two days off now," Riggleman said. "I am sure he feels a little better. But I...

In case you missed O's Xtra on MASN2, here are manager Buck Showalter's comments about Mark Connor's resignation as pitching coach: "Mark called me yesterday about noon and we sat down for about an hour or so and talked. For personal reasons, he just didn't feel like he could continue to do what was needed for a pitching coach with the Baltimore Orioles and what our players needed. He's driving home to Knoxville. I spoke to him this afternoon. We'll see when the smoke clears in a couple...

Lefty relief pitcher Cole McCurry is joining the Triple-A Norfolk Tides after pitching with great stats this year for Double-A Bowie. The 25-year-old McCurry was a 43rd-round draft pick in 2007. This season for the Baysox, he went 4-0 with an ERA of 0.80. Over 33 2/3 he allowed just 18 hits and three earned runs. He walked 14, fanned 44 and had an opponent batting average against of just .155. McCurry actually was even better versus left-handed hitters. They are just 2-for-35 (.057) against...

One team will end a losing streak tonight at Rogers Centre. The Orioles have lost 14 straight in that park and are just 1-19 in their last 20 games in Canada. They have lost 23 of 25 there. The Orioles' last win in Toronto was August 7, 2009 by a 7-5 score. Jason Berken got the start and win while Jim Johnson got a save. Nolan Reimold and Nick Markakis had two RBIs each. Meanwhile, Toronto has lost four games in a row being outscored 38-8 in that time. Toronto has lost five in a row at...

No big surprises here. J.J. Hardy continues to lead off and Derrek Lee is back at first base. For the Orioles: J.J. Hardy SS Nick Markakis RF Adam Jones CF Vladimir Guerrero DH Matt Wieters C Derrek Lee 1B Luke Scott LF Mark Reynolds 3B Robert Andino 2B Chris Jakubauskas RHP For the Blue Jays: Escobar SS Patterson LF Bautista RF Lind 1B Arencibia C Encarnacion DH Hill 2B Davis CF Nix 3B Villanueva RHP

The Orioles today announced that pitching coach Mark Connor has resigned for personal reasons. Bullpen coach Rick Adair will assume pitching coach duties while Organizational Hitting Instructor and Evaluator Terry Crowley will serve as interim bullpen coach. These changes will be effective starting with tonight's game in Toronto against the Blue Jays. Adair, 53, joined the Orioles' staff this season after working the past two seasons as pitching coach with the Seattle Mariners. He oversaw...

In a shocking development, the Orioles have announced that pitching coach Mark Connor resigned for "personal reasons." Connor was in his first season as pitching coach, having replaced Rick Kranitz over the winter. Bullpen coach Rick Adair has been named pitching coach. Former hitting coach Terry Crowley replaces Adair on an interim basis. Connor, 61, was in his 36th season in professional baseball after serving the last two years as a special assistant in the player development...

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...