Voth, McGowin rejoin bullpen; Guerra, Stevenson off roster

Voth, McGowin rejoin bullpen; Guerra, Stevenson off roster
An ever-changing Nationals bullpen saw the return of two familiar right-handers today, with both Austin Voth and Kyle McGowin activated off the injured list. And an ever-changing Nats roster saw the departures of two familiar faces as a result, with Javy Guerra designated for assignment while Andrew Stevenson was optioned to Triple-A Rochester. The transactions, announced about 90 minutes before today's series finale in Milwaukee, give the Nationals a couple of moderately experienced arms, in...

Kieboom, García headed to Triple-A after latest Nationals cuts

Kieboom, García headed to Triple-A after latest Nationals cuts
Infielders Carter Kieboom and Luis García were optioned to Triple-A Rochester on Saturday afternoon, as the Nationals made a series of roster moves that pretty much solidify their 26-man roster for Thursday's nationally televised home and season opener against the Mets. Also optioned to Triple-A were left-hander Sam Clay, right-hander Kyle McGowin and outfielder Yadiel Hernández. Utility men Jordy Mercer and Hernán Pérez, both of whom were in camp on minor league deals, had their...

Notes on Mendoza, Cluff and Snyder from alternate site

Notes on Mendoza, Cluff and Snyder from alternate site
Here is more perspective on the advancement of third baseman/first baseman Drew Mendoza, who finally got his shot to participate in workouts and games in Fredericksburg, Va., in the summer. The No. 11 Nationals prospect joined other top 20 Nationals prospects, according to director of player development Mark Scialabba. "We got him to the alternate site start of September. Along with shortstop Jackson Cluff (No. 20) and catcher Israel Pineda (No. 14), we had the ability to get him there to get...

Barrett, Sanchez, Snyder get spring training invites

Barrett, Sanchez, Snyder get spring training invites
Three mainstays in the Nationals organization will be back for another spring training with the club. Aaron Barrett, Adrián Sanchez and Brandon Snyder are among the group of players who will receive non-roster invitations to West Palm Beach next spring, a source confirmed. All figure to face long odds of making the big league roster, but that's never been a deterrent for any of these veterans. Barrett, who turns 33 in January, has participated in every Nationals spring training since 2011,...

Cluff values Fredericksburg experience, now continues instruction in Florida

Cluff values Fredericksburg experience, now continues instruction in Florida
In late September, we got a chance to check in with shortstop Jackson Cluff, who spent the last month of the season at the Nationals alternate training site in Fredericksburg, Va. Cluff is rated as the No. 20 Nats prospect by MLBPipeline.com. He played his first season of pro ball at low single-A Hagerstown. Cluff said it was exciting to get a chance to work out with other Nationals players as part of the 60-man player pool. "I think that excitement raises when you get to play at this level...

Union creates fund for non-roster players in big league camps

Union creates fund for non-roster players in big league camps
The agreement struck last week between Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association ensured all players on 40-man rosters would be paid a partial salary even if there's no 2020 season. But what about longtime big league players who aren't currently on 40-man rosters? That group was taken care of Friday when the union voted to establish an assistance fund for players with major league experience who were in spring training as non-roster invitees. The fund will pay anywhere from $5,000...

Braymer excited to join 40-man, details adjustments during 2019 season

Braymer excited to join 40-man, details adjustments during 2019 season
Left-hander Ben Braymer got a thrilling phone call on Wednesday from the Nationals telling him he had been placed on the organization's 40-man roster. "I was super excited," Braymer said. "I thought I might have an opportunity for that to happen but when I got the call (Wednesday) morning, I was very, very excited. A lot of positive emotions. It was cool." In part one of our visit with Braymer (Twitter: @B_Braymer), we break down his move to Triple-A and the adjustments he had to make in a...

Barrett, C. Kieboom, Garcia headline non-roster invitees to camp

Barrett, C. Kieboom, Garcia headline non-roster invitees to camp
The Nationals have announced 18 non-roster invitees to spring training, including two of their top infield prospects and a pitcher trying to return to the majors for the first time 2015 after a myriad of injuries. The two infield prospects - Luis Garcia, 18, and Carter Kieboom, 21 - both figure to get a lot of playing time around the diamond at various positions. Garcia, who has played shortstop, second base and third base, slashed .298/.335/.406 with seven homers and 46 RBIs for low Single-A...

Voth delivers clutch start; Desmond may not be ready next week

Voth delivers clutch start; Desmond may not be ready next week
Right-hander Austin Voth (rhymes with "both") tossed six scoreless innings as Triple-A Syracuse dropped Norfolk 3-0. The Chiefs pitchers have now not allowed a run in 19 consecutive innings. In the third inning, Brian Goodwin delivered a run-scoring single. Clint Robinson's groundout moved runners into scoring position. Brandon Snyder then delivered a two-run single, scoring Caleb Ramsey and Goodwin. The three runs were all the Chiefs would need, thanks to Voth and the bullpen. Right-hander...

On González's struggle, Albers' zeros and Snyder's demotion

On González's struggle, Albers' zeros and Snyder's demotion
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Given how well he has pitched all spring, Gio González was entitled to one rough day. That's how Dusty Baker viewed the left-hander's uncharacteristically poor start this afternoon, in which he was roughed up by the Astros for five runs in five innings. "It's hard to be good all the time in the spring," the Nationals manager said. "That was the first bad one he had." González entered the day sporting a sparkling 1.10 ERA in four previous Grapefruit League...

Mancini as possible replacement for Trumbo (and other notes)

Mancini as possible replacement for Trumbo (and other notes)
Though the Orioles don't currently project Trey Mancini as an outfielder, they continue to tie him to Mark Trumbo and the veteran's potential departure in free agency. I've talked to multiple people who bring up Mancini's name as a possible replacement for Trumbo. It's a clear indication that Mancini is expected to break camp with the team next spring in whatever role. "I can tell you that (Trumbo) had a great year, obviously. He led the league in home runs and we like what he did,"...

Nats sign former Orioles prospect Snyder to minor league deal

Nats sign former Orioles prospect Snyder to minor league deal
The Nationals have signed former Orioles first-round pick and Northern Virginia product Brandon Snyder to a minor league contract. Snyder, who turns 30 this week, will have an invitation to big league camp with an opportunity to compete for a spot on the opening day roster, according to a source familiar with the deal. The Orioles made Snyder the 13th overall pick in the 2005 draft out of Westfield High School in Chantilly, but the corner infielder has struggled to stick in the major leagues...

Matt Hobgood heads list of Orioles minor league free agents

Matt Hobgood heads list of Orioles minor league free agents
The list of minor league free agents includes 33 players from the Orioles farm system. Former first-round pick Matt Hobgood is included in the group, which Baseball America published earlier today. Hobgood, whose career has been derailed by injuries, underwent surgery on July 6 to remove a bone spur from his right shoulder. He was 1-1 with a 6.52 ERA in six games at Double-A Bowie and didn't pitch after June 17. The Orioles made Hobgood, 25, the fifth overall pick in 2009 out of Norco (Calif.)...

Gary Kendall on Dylan Bundy: "He had dominating-type stuff"

Gary Kendall on Dylan Bundy: "He had dominating-type stuff"
The box score says Double-A Bowie pitcher Dylan Bundy turned in his finest start in 2015 yesterday afternoon in Erie, Pa. His manager says it wasn't the first time that Bundy impressed. The results just happened to match his stuff. Bundy, still ranked as the Orioles' top pitching prospect, struck out five batters in three perfect innings. Before yesterday, Bundy had allowed four runs and eight hits in nine innings, with two walks and nine strikeouts. He gave up two runs and four hits over...

Minor league notes on Brandon Snyder, Parker Bridwell, Delmarva pitching and more

Minor league notes on Brandon Snyder, Parker Bridwell, Delmarva pitching and more
The Orioles signed Brandon Snyder to a minor league contract this week and he made his return to the Orioles organization yesterday after an extended absence when he joined the Double-A Bowie Baysox. The O's drafted Snyder in the first round of the 2005 draft, and he's in today's Baysox lineup for the 4:05 p.m. game at Erie, batting fifth and playing first base. Snyder played his last game in the O's organization in 2011 and last played for the Baysox in 2009. He spent the last two seasons...

Tonight's game and a few thoughts

Tonight's game and a few thoughts
The Orioles are changing Sox today. See what I did there? The White Sox are following the Red Sox into Camden Yards, as the Orioles finally venture outside of the American League East. They're done with the division until ... the Rays come to Camden Yards on Friday. Weather issues caused the White Sox to adjust their rotation, with Hector Noesi taking the mound tonight. Noesi is 9-18 with a 4.78 ERA in 53 career appearances at home, and 3-11 with a 5.67 ERA in 46 appearances on the road. Noesi...

Former O's first-rounder Brandon Snyder on time with the O's and being with Boston

Former O's first-rounder Brandon Snyder on time with the O's and being with Boston
Brandon Snyder, the Orioles' first-round pick in 2005, returned to town to play against the Orioles last season with Texas and he's back this weekend as a member of the Boston Red Sox. Snyder lost out on making the Rangers' opening day roster, was released late in spring and then quickly signed with Boston. He was with their Triple-A Pawtucket affiliate until Boston called him up June 25. "You start to realize how much a business it is," Snyder said this afternoon in the Red Sox...

Tejada passes physical, Snyder torturing former team (O's down 14-3)

Tejada passes physical, Snyder torturing former team (O's down 14-3)
Miguel Tejada passed his physical today in Sarasota and is expected to sign a minor league contract tomorrow and begin workouts at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. Tejada will be evaluated for seven to 10 days before the Orioles decide whether to keep him. He'll stay at extended spring training. The Orioles consider Tejada to be a possible defensive upgrade at third base, though it's unclear how his presence would affect Bill Hall at Triple-A Norfolk or Mark Reynolds here. As for tonight's...

Snyder gets revenge, early Bundy update (updated)

Snyder gets revenge, early Bundy update (updated)
Brandon Snyder got a little revenge on his former team tonight, driving a two-out, two-run single into center field off left-hander Brian Matusz in the top of the second inning. Adrian Beltre led off with a walk and Nelson Cruz doubled with one out. Mike Napoli flied to shallow right, but Snyder singled on a 2-2 pitch. Matusz got a called strike with a slider to even the count, and he came back with the same pitch. This time, Snyder got a hold of it. J.J. Hardy singled with one out in the...

Notes on Snyder, Miller and the Orioles outfield

Notes on Snyder, Miller and the Orioles outfield
Here's wishing Brandon Snyder well with the Texas Rangers. He is someone I first met while broadcasting Aberdeen IronBirds games and he played there briefly in 2005 and 2006. When Snyder had that big first half with Double-A Bowie in 2009, he looked like he was on his way to one day being the Orioles' regular first baseman. But he never did put up big numbers at Triple-A Norfolk, some fans began to doubt him and he didn't seem to be too high on Buck Showalter's list last year...