Left to wonder about Orioles' rotation possibilities
Left to wonder about Orioles' rotation possibilities
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
There are reasons to keep deflecting attention from the 2021 season and imagining how the Orioles could look further down the road. Because of the struggles that are surfacing again this summer and the promise of better times ahead with the farm system in much better shape. Perhaps at a level that hasn't been achieved since players with no reason to stay in the minors returned in bunches to Triple-A Rochester and waited their turns, forcing the front office into making trades in order to...
Game 65 lineups: Nats vs. Pirates
Game 65 lineups: Nats vs. Pirates
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The Nationals are seeking a three-game sweep of the Pirates this afternoon, which is good news. This isn't a position they've been in often this season, so a chance at a series sweep and a four-game winning streak should not be taken lightly. There is, however, not-so-great news before we get to today's game: Starlin Castro has been placed on the restricted list. What does that mean? It can mean a lot of things, but essentially it signifies an excused absence for a player, with the team...
Nationals recall Luis García
Nationals recall Luis García
Pete Kerzel
Nationals
The Washington Nationals recalled infielder Luis García from Triple-A Rochester and placed infielder Starlin Castro on the Restricted List on Wednesday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. García, 21, batted .319/ .396/ .553 in 11 games in the month of June, prior to his promotion. He was named Triple-A East Player of the Week on June 7. García went 11-for-27 (.407) with a double, three home runs, nine RBI, and seven runs in...
Big crowd saw Grayson Rodriguez throw gas, but Baysox fall short
Big crowd saw Grayson Rodriguez throw gas, but Baysox fall short
Steve Melewski
Orioles
BOWIE - The Double-A Bowie Baysox have had such a good season that the first three times they were held to two runs this year, they won by a 2-1 score. But last night, they lost 3-2 to the Akron RubberDucks to open a six-game series and spoil the home debut of their top pitching prospect, right-hander Grayson Rodriguez. Bowie began the night with the best record in all of the minors, but is now 25-10 (.714). That ranks third now, behind low Single-A Tampa (27-10, .730), a Yankees affiliate, and...
Harvey's latest short start comes with miscues (updated)
Harvey's latest short start comes with miscues (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
As Matt Harvey's ERA rose and patience with his failed starts withered away, Orioles manager Brandon Hyde kept defending the veteran by pointing out mistakes committed in the field and run support that lacked. Harvey wasn't nearly as generous after his most recent game, crushing himself like cocktail ice after a loss to the Mets. Hyde, meanwhile, leaned on the dugout railing tonight, watched an unearned run score in the first inning and hated to be proven right. Hyde saw a missed cutoff in...
Gomes' slam, Corbin's gem lead Nats to easy win (updated)
Gomes' slam, Corbin's gem lead Nats to easy win (updated)
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
If the Nationals thought Josh Harrison's bloop RBI single to right with the bases loaded tonight was a welcome sight, imagine what they were thinking moments later when Yan Gomes connected with a fastball from Tyler Anderson. With one mighty swing, Gomes sent that pitch soaring into the left field stands and did what so few of his teammates have been able to do this season with the bases loaded: Drive in a bunch of runs. "I feel like that's just the last little bit we need to start clicking...
Armstrong reports to Triple-A confident in return to O's
Armstrong reports to Triple-A confident in return to O's
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Shawn Armstrong received a phone call that he knew was coming. You don't have this much professional experience and self-awareness and become oblivious to the situation. Armstrong was struggling in the Orioles bullpen. He was out of minor league options. Someone had to step aside to make room for Hunter Harvey's return from the injured list. Orioles executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias was on the other end of the line on June 4. Armstrong had been designated for...
Two years later, Miller grateful for second chance with Nats
Two years later, Miller grateful for second chance with Nats
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The last time he had pitched at Nationals Park, Justin Miller was roughed up by the Cubs. It was May 17, 2019, and after serving up a two-run homer to Kris Bryant, Miller wound up on the injured list with a rotator cuff strain. The Nats, after that loss, were 18-26 and about to reach rock bottom. Things have changed just a bit since then, both for the Nationals and for Miller, who after his injury-plagued 2019 became a bit of a baseball nomad in the year-plus since. While the Nats were rallying...
Rodriguez faces Akron in third Double-A start (updated)
Rodriguez faces Akron in third Double-A start (updated)
Steve Melewski
Orioles
BOWIE - Making his third Double-A start of the year and first at home, top Orioles pitching prospect Grayson Rodriguez allowed two runs in 4 2/3 innings tonight for Bowie against the Akron RubberDucks in front of a big crowd at Prince George's Stadium. After a strong start to his outing, Akron had some nice swings starting in the third inning and there were a few hard-hit balls. He allowed four hits with one walk and six strikeouts in an 83-pitch outing. An inherited runner was stranded when...
Scherzer's brief IL stint leaves Nats needing Wednesday starter
Scherzer's brief IL stint leaves Nats needing Wednesday starter
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
In the end, the Nationals didn't want to take a chance putting Max Scherzer on the mound this weekend without knowing for certain if his groin would hold up. So even though the three-time Cy Young Award winner is confident he'll be ready to pitch again in a matter of "days, not weeks," the club decided to go ahead and place him on the 10-day injured list this afternoon. "After going through the process, I just want to be more cautious than not," manager Davey Martinez said during his...