Nationals number one overall selection Bryce Harper has won the 2010 Golden Spikes Award, which honors the nation's top amateur baseball player. The announcement was made by USA Baseball during a presentation at All-Star FanFest today in Anaheim, California. The catcher/outfielder beat out semifinalists Chris Duffy, Yasmani Grandal, Drew Pomeranz and Chris Sale to win the honor and to match Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg, who took home the award in 2009. Harper slammed 31...

Brian Roberts went 2-for-3 with a double, walk and run scored today for the Gulf Coast League Orioles in their 4-1 victory over the GCL Rays. Bring on the GCL Yankees. Serving as the Orioles designated hitter, Roberts lined a single into center field and a double into left. His only out in two rehab games came on a fly ball to center. Roberts is 5-for-6 with a double and walk since reporting to the GCL team. He's scheduled to join Double-A Bowie next week and hopes to be activated from the...

"The Washington Nationals and the Lerner Family are deeply saddened by the loss of George Steinbrenner - a monumental figure of the baseball world for more than 35 years. He will be remembered as a driven competitor and champion, but also a man who gave much to the people and communities he loved. George was a one of a kind owner, sports figure, and man. He will be missed. Our condolences go out to the Steinbrenner family, the Yankees organization and Yankees fans everywhere."

"The Orioles are saddened to learn of the passing of George Steinbrenner. As an active participant in the organizational direction and operations of the New York Yankees, his name is as synonymous with that franchise as any of the legendary athletes who have played in pinstripes. On behalf of the Orioles organization, I extend my deepest condolences to his wife, Joan, and the members of his family."

Brian Roberts has singled and walked in three plate appearances as the Gulf Coast League Orioles' designated hitter. He's 4-for-5 in the first two games of his injury rehab assignment. I know the Yankees don't elicit much sympathy around here, but it's been a rough week with the passing of Bob Sheppard, the team's revered public address announcer, and owner George Steinbrenner within the past three days. Steinbrenner died early this morning in Tampa after suffering a massive heart...

On Wednesday evening at 7 p.m., MASN will re-air Stephen Strasburg's debut against the Pittsburgh Pirates as part of the network's Nationals Classics programming. It's the perfect way to enjoy the All-Star break. Watch as the rookie phenom strikes out 14 and picks up his first major league win. The game will re-air again on Sunday evening at 7:00 p.m. The Nationals also announced that they will distribute commemorative DVD copies of Stephen Strasburg's historic debut to the first...

I watched about 12 seconds of the Home Run Derby before realizing that I no longer care about the Home Run Derby. David Ortiz won? Fabulous. Does the winner get a free spot in the slam dunk contest? Did Dwyane Wade really claim that he's now part of the greatest trio in NBA history? Bird, McHale and Parish would like a minute for rebuttal. They'll have to beat Magic, Kareem and Worthy to the door. And we'll wait for Wilt, West and Baylor to park their cars. Just leave enough room for...

Harrisburg Senators left-hander Ross Detwiler notched his first win of the season Sunday with a 7-3 decision at the Reading Phillies. Detwiler went five innings, allowed seven hits, two runs, one homer, one walk and three strikeouts. He had a dramatic three-run double to seal the game for the offense but said he just caught a break on the hit. "It was my third or fourth at-bat of the year. I think I just got lucky. I got deep into the count. The ball found the bat somehow." ...

Luke Scott says he'll start a rehab assignment with the Gulf Coast League team on Thursday. Brandon Waring hit his 14th home run tonight for Double-A Bowie, and Caleb Joseph belted his 10th, but Trenton scored seven runs in the ninth inning in a 10-5 victory over the Baysox. Bob McCrory took the loss after being charged with three runs. Pedro Beato, named to the Eastern League All-Star team, gave up four runs and three hits, with one walk, after replacing McCrory in the ninth. Billy Rowell...

Don't look for a new manager to take over the club when the season resumes on Friday. An announcement isn't on the horizon. Buck Showalter clearly has emerged as the leading candidate after meeting with team officials again over the weekend, but I'm told that a lot needs to get done before anything is finalized. Nothing is going to happen in the near future unless there's an abrupt change. Brian Roberts has started an injury rehab assignment with the Gulf Coast League Orioles, going...