De Aza returns to Nationals on minor league deal

De Aza returns to Nationals on minor league deal
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla - Alejandro De Aza has returned to the Nationals, though not to the big league roster. The Nats have signed De Aza to a minor league contract, the club announced. The veteran outfielder did not receive an invitation to major league camp, but he will be in uniform and available to play off the bench for today's game against the Mets. De Aza, 33, played in 28 games for the Nationals late last season, hitting .194 with nine RBIs over 70 plate appearances and filling in at a...

Goodwin on returning to Nats: "I think I'm in a good place"

Goodwin on returning to Nats: "I think I'm in a good place"
Outfielder Brian Goodwin was again a full participant in the Nationals' second day of workouts and batting practice on Wednesday as they prepare for the Chicago Cubs in the National League Division Series starting Friday. Showing no ill effects from the groin strain that sidelined him for over a month, Goodwin made his case for inclusion on the postseason roster. General manager Mike Rizzo said that Goodwin was able to come back to D.C. after some solid rehab work in West Palm Beach last...

Who makes the Nationals' NLDS roster?

Who makes the Nationals' NLDS roster?
The Nationals have until Friday morning to set their 25-man roster for the National League Division Series. And given some of the down-to-the-wire decisions they need to make, they might just use every remaining minute available to them before submitting that roster to Major League Baseball. First and foremost, of course, is the state of Max Scherzer's right hamstring. The ace insists he'll be pitching in this series, but the Nationals won't know for sure when he'll pitch until after he...

With a heavy heart, Jackson proud to pitch well in his final start

With a heavy heart, Jackson proud to pitch well in his final start
Nationals right-hander Edwin Jackson arrived Thursday night for his start against the Pirates having allowed 22 earned runs in his last four starts, losing three of those games. So for Jackson to give the Nats six solid innings and allowing only two runs on four hits while striking out seven was a nice way to end the regular season. The Nats were able to win the game in walk-off fashion 5-4 thanks to a clutch bottom of the ninth single down the right field line by Alejandro De Aza. The win was...

Doolittle blows first save, but Nats rally to win 5-4 in ninth

Doolittle blows first save, but Nats rally to win 5-4 in ninth
What had been commonplace throughout the season's first three months had become wholly unexpected ever since. Give the Nationals bullpen a late lead? In April, May and June, that often meant disaster was looming. In July, August and September, it meant victory was assured. Since their mid-July acquisition of Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson, and continuing with their acquisition of Brandon Kintzler two weeks later, the Nationals bullpen had been darn near automatic, giving up a lead only one...

Looking at NLDS roster cases for Jackson, Robles, De Aza

Looking at NLDS roster cases for Jackson, Robles, De Aza
NEW YORK - It's no secret the Nationals are using the final two weeks of the regular season to make some final evaluations of players who are in the mix for the handful of postseason roster spots up for grabs. Which makes games like Friday night's at Citi Field - a 7-6 loss to the Mets - meaningful, but in a different way than most have been all season long. "We have the luxury," manager Dusty Baker said. "We don't like to lose, but we have the luxury of trying to find out what they can...

De Aza helps Roark's cause (Nats win 4-3)

De Aza helps Roark's cause (Nats win 4-3)
The Nationals got on the board first against the Phillies and Aaron Nola in the first of four games Thursday night at Nats Park. With one out in the second, Michael A. Taylor reached on a throwing error by first baseman Tommy Joseph and promptly stole second base. With two outs, Alejandro De Aza lined a single to left field to score Taylor for a 1-0 Nationals lead. Tanner Roark allowed a solo homer off the bat of Jorge Alfaro in the third. It was Alfaro's second homer of the season and came on...

Marty Niland: Nats getting key plays from unlikely sources

Marty Niland: Nats getting key plays from unlikely sources
How many injuries can the Nationals withstand and still maintain the second-best record in the National League? Let's hope that question remains rhetorical. But when an infielder who wasn't supposed to get out of the minor leagues this season and the 13th different man to play the outfield in 2017 are making key plays, it's not a bad idea to keep that question in mind. At 27, Adrián Sanchez had been knocking around the Nats' minor league system for 10 seasons. He'd been hitting .254 at...

Late Mets homer dooms Nats in 6-5 loss to open doubleheader

Late Mets homer dooms Nats in 6-5 loss to open doubleheader
The Nationals opened their latest Sunday doubleheader with a concerning start from their top pitching prospect, an uplifting rally from their makeshift lineup, a game-deciding home run hit off a veteran reliever who has allowed too many of those this season and then a crazy play to end the game. The end result: a 6-5 loss to the Mets that didn't have very many satisfying moments and left the Nationals needing to bounce back in tonight's game to salvage a doubleheader split. Amed Rosario's...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
The new year began with another report that the Orioles are interested in re-signing designated hitter Pedro Alvarez. It still holds true. They've been open to the idea since he hit the free agent market. However, as I've written, he could be the type of late signing that brought him to Baltimore last spring and has become executive vice president Dan Duquette's signature move. Signing Alvarez would be a clear signal that the Orioles have moved away from Mark Trumbo unless they've suddenly...

Orioles trade Alejandro De Aza to Red Sox

Orioles trade Alejandro De Aza to Red Sox
The Orioles have traded outfielder Alejandro De Aza to the Red Sox for cash considerations, according to an industry source. De Aza was designated for assignment on May 27 to make room for infielder Ryan Flaherty on the 25-man roster. De Aza, 31, batted .214/.277/.359 (22-for-103) with three home runs and seven RBIs in 30 games with the Orioles this season. He served as their leadoff hitter on opening day. De Aza was the only Oriole among 11 arbitration-eligible players this spring to go to a...

Game update and more Miranda (Davis homers twice, O's win 5-4)

Game update and more Miranda (Davis homers twice, O's win 5-4)
Ubaldo Jimenez made fast work of the Astros in the top of the first inning tonight, retiring the side on only six pitches following a rain delay of 1 hour, 11 minutes. It wasn't that easy in the second inning. Jimenez allowed one run on three hits, including Chris Carter's RBI double that followed singles by Evan Gattis and Colby Rasmus. However, Jimenez stranded two runners in scoring position with a strikeout and foul pop. Rasmus is 11-for-28 lifetime against Jimenez. Jimmy Paredes reached...

Updates on Bundy, De Aza and Miranda

Updates on Bundy, De Aza and Miranda
Today's game will start at approximately 5:45 p.m. The rain has stopped again and the tarp is coming off the field. Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette confirmed that pitcher Dylan Bundy underwent an MRI today on his right shoulder and it didn't reveal any structural damage. The MRI confirmed that Bundy has tendinitis in the shoulder. He's been prescribed rest and anti-inflammatory medication. Bundy was scratched from last night's start after experiencing discomfort in his...

Showalter on roster move and more

Showalter on roster move and more
Orioles manager Buck Showalter met with reporters earlier today and explained the Orioles' decision to designate outfielder Alejandro De Aza for assignment to clear a spot for infielder Ryan Flaherty on the 25-man roster. De Aza batted .293/.341/.537 with five doubles, three triples, three home runs and 10 RBIs in 20 games with the Orioles last season after coming over in a trade with the White Sox. He also gave the Orioles plus-defense in left field, which was a primary reason why they made...

Tyler Wilson will start Game 1 of doubleheader

Tyler Wilson will start Game 1 of doubleheader
Tyler Wilson is headed to Baltimore and will start Game 1 of Thursday's doubleheader against the White Sox at Camden Yards. Wilson gave up one run and five hits in two innings in his major league debut. He's 2-4 with a 3.29 ERA in eight starts with Triple-A Norfolk. Left-hander T.J. McFarland was the other possibility for the doubleheader. Mike Wright will start Game 2. Matt Wieters is back at Camden Yards after catching last night at Double-A Bowie. He won't serve as the Baysox's...

Orioles lineup vs. Astros (updated with roster move)

Orioles lineup vs. Astros (updated with roster move)
Ryan Flaherty returns to the Orioles lineup from the 15-day disabled list tonight against the Astros. Flaherty has been bothered by a right groin injury. There has been no corresponding move yet. Orioles starter Ubaldo Jimenez is 4-0 with a 2.24 ERA in nine career starts against the Astros. Colby Rasmus is 10-for-27 (.370) with five doubles, a triple, a home run and eight strikeouts against Jimenez. Jose Altuve is 4-for-11 with a double and triple. Collin McHugh has made one start against the...

Wrapping up a 9-4 win

Wrapping up a 9-4 win
Orioles manager Buck Showalter confirmed tonight that Chris Tillman will start Thursday afternoon's series finale against the Mariners at Camden Yards, and Ubaldo Jimenez and Mike Wright will start the first two games against the Marlins in Miami. Tillman played catch today and his back is fine. Orioles starters have gone seven or more innings in five straight games, with Miguel Gonzalez becoming the latest tonight. He rebounded nicely after Nelson Cruz's three-run homer in the third. "He...

Jimmy Paredes drives in career-high four runs as O's beat M's in series opener

Jimmy Paredes drives in career-high four runs as O's beat M's in series opener
The bottom of the order did its part and Jimmy Paredes, batting second, made sure the top of the order did as well. Paredes homered and recroded a career-high four RBIs as the Orioles beat Seattle 9-4 in the opener of a three-game series. The Orioles improved to 17-19 for the season and to 4-3 on a nine-game homestand. Former Oriole Nelson Cruz came back to Camden Yards and got quite a few cheers, but he silenced the crowd with a three-run homer in the third - his 16th this season - for a 4-1...

Orioles and Mariners lineups

Orioles and Mariners lineups
Steve Pearce is batting fifth and starting at second base tonight as the Orioles open a three-game series against the Mariners at Camden Yards to conclude their homestand. Travis Snider is in left field and Alejandro De Aza is in right. Jimmy Paredes is batting second again as the designated hitter. For the Orioles Manny Machado 3B Jimmy Paredes DH Adam Jones CF Chris Davis 1B Steve Pearce 2B Travis Snider LF J.J. Hardy SS Alejandro De Aza RF Caleb Joseph C Miguel Gonzalez RHP Orioles pitchers...

Orioles and Angels lineups

Orioles and Angels lineups
Steve Pearce is starting at second base and batting fifth tonight for the Orioles, who are trying to even their series against the Angels following last night's loss at Camden Yards. Pearce is 3-for-23 this month. He's making only his fifth start since May 3. David Lough is in left field and Alejandro De Aza is in right. Ubaldo Jimenez gets the start while Bud Norris is out with bronchitis. According to STATS Inc., the Orioles have won seven straight home starts by Jimenez and the Angels have...