An attempt to answer some questions about the Nats' situation
An attempt to answer some questions about the Nats' situation
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
These are, unfortunately, uncertain times for the Nationals. They were all set to open the 2021 season Thursday night against the Mets, then learned the game had been postponed when one (eventually three, possibly four) players tested positive for COVID-19. Now, with Major League Baseball declaring the game would not be made up today, the Nats face another day stuck at home in isolation, awaiting results of another round of tests that should help determine whether they can actually play as...
With at least three positive tests, Nats' opening series in flux
With at least three positive tests, Nats' opening series in flux
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Two more Nationals players, and potentially a third, have now tested positive for COVID-19, all of them close contacts to the original player who learned Wednesday he had tested positive, leaving the team's season-opening series against the Mets in flux. General manager Mike Rizzo delivered that new batch of unpleasant news early this evening after the results of the tests the entire team took Wednesday morning came back. The Nationals now have reason to believe four of their players in total...
A look at the potential of the O's offense
A look at the potential of the O's offense
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde has said he believes his team will score some runs and has some real upside on offense. He's got a point, with players like Austin Hays, Ryan Mountcastle, Trey Mancini and Anthony Santander. You can add to that the speed of Cedric Mullins and the hope to get some offense out of other spots that would exceed what was produced there last year. Here is a look at where the Orioles ranked by position last year in OPS in the American League and I'll list which player or...
Lineup changes, switches in designated hitters and more
Lineup changes, switches in designated hitters and more
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
No matter how the opening day lineup is stacked today, and it should duplicate the one wasted yesterday by the postponement, the Orioles are going to make at least five changes from the 2020 version. They shouldn't need to wait another day unless the Red Sox determine that the sun is too bright. José Iglesias won't be batting third and playing shortstop. Renato Núñez won't be batting fourth and serving as designated hitter. Chris Davis won't be playing first base and batting fifth....
Season opener postponed, won't be made up Friday
Season opener postponed, won't be made up Friday
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The Nationals' 2021 season won't begin tonight, and at this point, it's too soon to know for certain when it will be commence after Major League Baseball postponed the scheduled opener against the Mets due to ongoing contact tracing within the Nationals organization following Wednesday's discovery that a player tested positive for COVID-19. No makeup date has been determined, but the league said in a statement that the game will not be played Friday "out of an abundance of caution." The...
Orioles set 26-man roster
Orioles set 26-man roster
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles won't play today in Boston, but they're able to set their opening day roster by the noon deadline. There are no surprises beyond the early rainout. Outfielder DJ Stewart is on the 10-day injured list with a strained left hamstring. Reliever Shawn Armstrong is on the paternity list, keeping him away from the team for a maximum of three days. Reliever Travis Lakins Sr. is optioned to Triple-A Norfolk, but manager Brandon Hyde indicated yesterday that the assignment could be...
Orioles set 2021 Opening Day roster
Orioles set 2021 Opening Day roster
Doug Miller
Orioles
The Orioles today officially set their 26-man roster for Opening Day. The roster includes 14 pitchers, two catchers, six infielders, and four outfielders. 11 of the 26 players were on the Orioles' 2020 Opening Day roster. Six players are donning an Orioles jersey for the first time. The Orioles have placed OF DJ Stewart (left hamstring strain) on the 10-day Injured List and RHP Shawn Armstrong on the Paternity List. Additionally, RHP Travis Lakins Sr. has been optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. Two...
Orioles-Red Sox game postponed due to rain
Orioles-Red Sox game postponed due to rain
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles aren't opening their season later this afternoon. Today's game against the Red Sox at Fenway Park has been postponed due to a forecast that calls for periods of rain throughout the afternoon. (The weather app on my phone only shows clouds in Boston after 10 a.m., but it isn't official.) The game has been rescheduled for Friday at 2:10 p.m. "The decision to postpone our first game of the season was not made lightly," Red Sox President and CEO Sam Kennedy said in a statement....
Washington Nationals to face New York Mets on opening day
Washington Nationals to face New York Mets on opening day
Doug Miller
Nationals
The Washington Nationals will celebrate Opening Day and their first home game of the 2021 season on Thursday, April 1 when the team hosts the New York Mets. The game will be aired exclusively on ESPN, with first pitch scheduled for 7:09 p.m. ET. The game will also be broadcasted on 106.7 The Fan FM. In accordance with CDC recommendations and MLB protocols, the Nationals will implement appropriate social distancing and safety measures that will allow Nationals Park to host 5,000 fans on Opening...
2021 Nats media season predictions
2021 Nats media season predictions
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The day has come at last. The 2021 baseball season begins today. All 30 clubs are scheduled to play, including the Nationals in tonight's nationally televised opener against the Mets. Fans will be in attendance everywhere, 5,000 of them here. Alas, five members of the Nats' expected opening night roster will not be there after one tested positive for COVID-19 and four others were deemed close contacts to him. It turns today into more of a bittersweet event than a full-on celebration of...