Losing teams are bringing out the worst in the St. Louis Cardinals at a most inopportune time.

Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard left Sunday's game against Washington with a sprained left ankle.

Barack Obama will throw out the ceremonial first ball at the Washington Nationals' opener, marking the 100th anniversary of a presidential pitch to start the season.

Stephen Strasburg was sent to the minor leagues on Saturday by the Washington Nationals, who told baseball's top pitching prospect he needed to slow down his delivery from the stretch in order to speed up his arrival in the majors.