Source: At least four Nats coaches not returning in 2024

Davey Martinez is returning for his seventh season as Nationals manager, but he’ll do so with a number of changes to his coaching staff.

Several members of Martinez’s big league staff have been informed in recent days their contracts are not being renewed, including bench coach Tim Bogar, third base coach Gary DiSarcina, first base coach Eric Young Jr. and assistant hitting coach Pat Roessler, a source familiar with the decisions confirmed.

Jim Hickey will be brought back for his fourth season as pitching coach, the source said. It wasn’t immediately clear if decisions have been made on hitting coach Darnell Coles, catching and strategy coach Henry Blanco and bullpen coach Ricky Bones, along with others on the staff who aren’t among the official eight coaches the team employed.

The Athletic was first to report these changes.

With everyone on the staff working on contracts that were due to expire Oct. 31, the possibility of changes has loomed for weeks. Asked during the season’s final week about the fate of his coaches, Martinez said no decisions had been made at that point, and he intended to meet with general manager Mike Rizzo once the season ended to discuss each position.

Source: Young will be Nats' new first base coach

Source: Young will be Nats' new first base coach
Eric Young Jr., the former Rockies and Mets outfielder who led the National League in stolen bases eight years ago, will be the Nationals' new first base coach, a source familiar with the decision confirmed. Young, 36, hasn't officially been named to manager Davey Martinez's staff yet, but a formal announcement of the club's full 2022 coaching staff is expected in the near future. His hiring was first reported by OurEsquina.com, which learned about the news from Young's father, Braves...

Rickard waiting for confirmation on roster spot

Rickard waiting for confirmation on roster spot
SARASOTA, Fla. - The hints keep coming that Joey Rickard will be with the Orioles on opening day, perhaps in right field at Yankee Stadium. Rickard is tearing up the Grapefruit League again and is a virtual lock to break camp with the team, whether as the starting right fielder or a rover of sorts. The competition keeps thinning out, including the Orioles' decision yesterday to release veteran Eric Young Jr. Prospects Austin Hays, DJ Stewart, Anthony Santander and Yusniel Diaz already have...

Notes on Sucre, Wynns, roster, Rogers and more (O's down 4-0)

Notes on Sucre, Wynns, roster, Rogers and more (O's down 4-0)
DUNEDIN, Fla. - Orioles manager Brandon Hyde isn't ready to confirm that Jesús Sucre has made the team as a non-roster invite. Not before he actually meets with the veteran catcher. Sucre is in tonight's lineup against the Blue Jays in Dunedin. He could have opted out of his minor league deal this morning. Shortly before boarding the bus this morning, Sucre said he still hadn't heard from the club or his agent regarding his status and joked with reporters that he'd flash a signal if...

Orioles release Eric Young Jr.

Orioles release Eric Young Jr.
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles have released veteran outfielder Eric Young Jr. in the latest spring training cut, a move made despite his impressive showing at the plate and defensively. Young was 10-for-31 (.323) with a double, home run, seven walks, nine strikeouts and two stolen bases after joining the Orioles at the beginning of camp. "Eric has looked and played great this spring," executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias said in a statement. "Once we determined he was...

More roster rumblings as Orioles near some important decisions

More roster rumblings as Orioles near some important decisions
SARASOTA, Fla. - The latest roster cuts yesterday, condensed and earlier than usual, left the Orioles with 35 players in camp. Manager Brandon Hyde has to remove 10 more before opening day while knowing that the waiver wire is a potential complication. In a good way, of course. Mark Trumbo is a wild card because he could go on the injured list. Hyde will be asked about it again in a day or two and repeat that the decision is on hold. It's going down to the wire. The Orioles need Trumbo healthy...

Checking on Orioles camp competitions

Checking on Orioles camp competitions
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Brandon Hyde remains uncertain about numerous aspects of his opening day roster. The final rotation spots, the complete bullpen and outfield compositions, the two catchers heading north. The top three starters always have been Alex Cobb, Dylan Bundy and Andrew Cashner. The only drama involved which one would be on the mound March 28 at Yankee Stadium, with Cobb given the honor. Mychal Givens and Richard Bleier were locks for the bullpen, the latter just needing...

Hyde on Jackson, roster decisions, Núñez's arm and more (O's up 8-1)

Hyde on Jackson, roster decisions, Núñez's arm and more (O's up 8-1)
LAKELAND, Fla. - Drew Jackson's ability to handle the outfield corners, with today marking his first game in right, could influence manager Brandon Hyde's roster construction prior to opening day. Jackson figures to make the club as a second Rule 5 infielder along with Richie Martin, but he's been used in a utility role in camp and the resume is expanding. "He's so versatile. He can play a lot of different positions," Hyde said this morning while the Orioles took batting...

Bundy completes five innings (Orioles fall 7-6)

Bundy completes five innings (Orioles fall 7-6)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Results in exhibition games don't matter until they suddenly do. Until the pitcher or hitter needs to get a return for the hard work. When concerns or frustrations start to build and need to be hushed. Nobody in Orioles camp was in a panic over Dylan Bundy's struggles, but manager Brandon Hyde noted this morning that the time arrived to turn in a more productive start, to feel good walking off the mound. Bundy could have done cartwheels all the way to the bench if he was done...

Young embracing leadership role for Orioles

Young embracing leadership role for Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. - The mentoring began right after the introductions. Eric Young Jr. walked into the Orioles spring training clubhouse after agreeing to a minor league deal, sought out the younger players and began the balancing act of competing against them and offering his assistance. This is the reputation that Young brought with him along with his equipment bag. One of the really good guys in baseball. A pure professional. A public relations staff's dream. Young may not break camp with the...

Critiquing camp again as O's creep closer to opening day (updated)

Critiquing camp again as O's creep closer to opening day (updated)
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles get their first and only off-day of spring training, closing the Ed Smith Stadium complex and encouraging a mental and physical break from the grind. Cuts may not happen today, but more are coming now that the Orioles moved past Saturday's split-squad games. They can afford to continue thinning out the camp roster. Five catchers remain and fewer are needed as pitchers are optioned and reassigned. However, Austin Wynns is shut down, leaving only four who are...

Orioles acquire Dwight Smith Jr. from Blue Jays

Orioles acquire Dwight Smith Jr. from Blue Jays
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles turned more international signing bonus slots into a trade acquisition, landing outfielder Dwight Smith Jr. from the Blue Jays. The announcement came this afternoon. Smith has slashed .293/.365/.467 in 47 games with the Blue Jays over the past two seasons. He was selected in the first round (53rd overall) of the 2011 draft out of McIntosh (Ga.) High School. "Dwight Smith is a young outfielder with a strong track record of performance and a plus-hit tool from the...

Many points to consider when trying to project 25-man roster

Many points to consider when trying to project 25-man roster
SARASOTA, Fla. - Before I can get a stronger grip on the 25-man roster that will be unveiled on opening day in the Bronx, I still need to know how many pitchers are heading north. Is it a 12- or 13-man pitching staff? Does manager Brandon Hyde envision carrying four starters until a fifth is needed on April 10? The mocks are murky without this information. The position battles continue in the outfield, at third base and behind the plate. I'm giving Rule 5 pick Richie Martin the starting job at...

Notes on Mountcastle, Young, Yacabonis, catching and coaches

Notes on Mountcastle, Young, Yacabonis, catching and coaches
SARASOTA, Fla. - With so much attention given to Ryan Mountcastle's repetitions and game experience at first base, his slow start at the plate barely drew notice. One hit in 13 at-bats from an upper-tier prospect who usually can roll out of bed and square up a fastball. But what about the glove? How does he look at first? Is he really changing positions again? Talent wins out again. Mountcastle entered yesterday's game with four hits in his last six at-bats. Driving the ball into the gap and...

Orioles lineup vs. Twins

Orioles lineup vs. Twins
SARASOTA, Fla. - Hanser Alberto makes his Orioles debut today against the Twins in Fort Myers after returning to camp via another waiver claim. Alberto is starting at second base, with Rule 5 pick Richie Martin at shortstop. Chance Sisco is batting third. DJ Stewart is in right field, Cedric Mullins in center and Eric Young Jr. in left. Dylan Bundy, working on three days' rest, is making his second spring start. Left-hander Josh Osich will make his Orioles debut. Also on the trip are David...

Wrapping up a 9-1 win

Wrapping up a 9-1 win
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Orioles manager Brandon Hyde has been waiting for a day when he could boast about the club's pitching and defense. On the same day. He found it this afternoon in Fort Myers, where the Orioles defeated the Red Sox 9-1. Mike Wright shut out the Red Sox through the third inning. Yefry Ramirez allowed one run, on Xander Bogaerts' homer, and two hits over three innings. He didn't issue a walk and struck out two batters. Paul Fry retired the side in order with two strikeouts in...

Wright hasn't done much wrong in three outings (O's win 9-1)

Wright hasn't done much wrong in three outings (O's win 9-1)
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Mike Wright took a sharp grounder off his right foot today with two outs in the third inning and the next batter poked a single up the middle. Another ball that didn't catch air. Past starts might have crumbled for Wright, but he retired Jackie Bradley Jr. on a fly ball and headed for the clubhouse with three more scoreless innings on his ledger. Making a push for a spot in the back end of the rotation, Wright blanked the Red Sox on three hits with one walk and two...

Orioles notes, quotes and anecdotes

Orioles notes, quotes and anecdotes
SARASOTA, Fla. - In evaluating young left-hander Josh Rogers, Orioles manager Brandon Hyde can't afford to become distracted. Not for a second. Divert your eyes and another batter is retired. Another inning is completed. "I tell you what, if you go to get a drink with Josh Rogers on the mound, you better have your head up with your eyes on the field because you're going to miss about 10 pitches," Hyde said. "The tempo is unbelievable. He gets the ball and goes, he gets on the rubber and...

Wrapping up a 10-5 loss

Wrapping up a 10-5 loss
SARASOTA, Fla. - Hunter Harvey didn't flash a 98 mph fastball today, keeping it in Fort Myers, but he tossed a scoreless fifth inning with two strikeouts in an impressive outing. Harvey's heater was 95-97 mph and he used it to strike out Christian Arroyo and strand Kevin Kiermaier, who walked with one out and moved up on a wild pitch. Former major league closer Bryan Harvey watched as his son also struck out Mike Zunino in the Orioles' 10-5 loss to the Rays at Ed Smith Stadium. Guillermo...

O's reclaim Alberto and DFA Hart, Cobb pulled early (O's lose 10-5)

O's reclaim Alberto and DFA Hart, Cobb pulled early (O's lose 10-5)
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles have brought back infielder Hanser Alberto, claiming him off waivers this afternoon from the Giants after designating him on Feb. 19 and losing him to a claim three days later. Donnie Hart has been designated for assignment, leaving four left-hander relievers on the 40-man roster. Hart was scheduled to pitch today against the Rays in a split-squad game. The Orioles designated Alberto to make room for left-hander Josh Osich on the 40-man and the Giants snagged him....