Limited spring schedule forces Nats to get creative
Limited spring schedule forces Nats to get creative
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
As much as they've tried to make this feel like a normal spring training, there are certain unavoidable differences from previous Nationals camps because of COVID-19 protocols. Like the limited number of opponents. Because Major League Baseball decided to reduce travel across the state of Florida, the Nats are only playing the four other clubs that train within 45 minutes of West Palm Beach: the Astros, Cardinals, Marlins and Mets. That leads to a whole lot of repeat matchups against teams...
Rutschman provides lone offensive highlight in 5-0 loss
Rutschman provides lone offensive highlight in 5-0 loss
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Offensive support from the Orioles wasn't in vogue again today. Manager Brandon Hyde is trying to remain patient while wondering when it might come back in style. The Orioles were no-hit today in Dunedin, four walks their only noise, until Adley Rutschman's two-out double in the seventh that completed a 10-pitch at-bat against Blue Jays reliever Jordan Romano. Rutschman fouled off five in a row, per the Gameday pitch tracker, and drove a slider to center field in a 5-0 loss. He's 3-for-9...
Lineups: Nats vs. Mets in West Palm Beach
Lineups: Nats vs. Mets in West Palm Beach
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
After their first true day off of the spring, the Nationals are back in action tonight in West Palm Beach, facing the Mets. And tonight marks the end of the second turn through the projected rotation. Joe Ross is on the mound for his second start, looking to build off a solid debut against this same New York lineup in which he threw 39 pitches across 1 2/3 innings and struck out three. Though nobody is saying it out loud, it seems pretty clear Ross is the planned No. 5 starter entering the...
LeBlanc on outing and rotation competition (O's lose to Jays)
LeBlanc on outing and rotation competition (O's lose to Jays)
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Left-hander Wade LeBlanc and right-hander Dean Kremer are the only Orioles starters to record scoreless outings to this point in spring training. Today in Dunedin, LeBlanc could not duplicate that, but he pitched out a jam in his third inning as the O's faced the Toronto Blue Jays. LeBlanc went two scoreless innings on one hit on March 3 against Atlanta and then worked on the back fields between that outing and today's game. He faced four batters and retired them all in a scoreless, 15-pitch...
Pandemic alters interactions between veterans and youngsters
Pandemic alters interactions between veterans and youngsters
Pete Kerzel
Nationals
Stroll through a pre-pandemic spring training clubhouse, or eye up what's happening on the back fields of a camp complex, and you'll see a lot of teaching and mentoring going on. Even if it's not readily apparent, it was happening. A young hurler could ask a veteran about pitch grips. An inexperienced infielder can work with coaches and teammates to refine his footwork or positioning. An outfielder of the future spends time between shagging fly balls by picking the brain of a guy with a deep...
Harvey injury leaves Hyde with bullpen choices
Harvey injury leaves Hyde with bullpen choices
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The likelihood of Hunter Harvey going on the injured list prior to opening day creates the latest curiosity in Orioles spring training. Exactly how the Orioles choose to replace him in the bullpen. Hyde could pivot and carry an extra bulk-type reliever rather than concentrate on a back end, one-inning type. The latter scenario would appear to make more sense with the team prioritizing length and having an abundance of candidates to fit the description. Folding another closer candidate into the...
Orioles lineup vs. Blue Jays
Orioles lineup vs. Blue Jays
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Wade LeBlanc has resurfaced to start today's game against the Blue Jays in Dunedin, his first Grapefruit League appearance since tossing two scoreless innings on March 3. LeBlanc has been building innings on the back fields. The Orioles are putting Cedric Mullins and Austin Hays in the same outfield again today - Mullins in center and Hays in left. They're batting first and second in the order. Yusniel Diaz is in right field. Chance Sisco is the designated hitter and Jahmai Jones is the...
Nats are only MLB club still waiting for answer on fans
Nats are only MLB club still waiting for answer on fans
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
There are only 19 days to go until opening night at Nationals Park, and there are still a whole lot of decisions that must be made before then. Will Joe Ross be the No. 5 starter? Will Victor Robles be leading off? Will Carter Kieboom be the starting third baseman? Who will round out the bullpen and the bench? Oh, yeah, and this little question that still needs to be answered: Will any fans be allowed in the park to watch the Nationals and Mets open the season? In some respects, it's kind of...
This, that and the other
This, that and the other
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The growing possibility that Chris Davis begins the season in the injured list, whatever its length, removes the misguided argument that he's blocking a prospect. Davis hasn't done it. Prospects aren't kept at Triple-A or the alternate camp because he's in the organization. Ryan Mountcastle wasn't making the club on opening day 2020. Yusniel Diaz isn't making it next month. (Mountcastle is 2-for-19 with a double, home run, five RBIs, no walks and four strikeouts. Don't panic.) A four-man...
In crowded O's outfield, Ryan McKenna tries to make his mark
In crowded O's outfield, Ryan McKenna tries to make his mark
Steve Melewski
Orioles
He was a fixture at the top of the lineup and in center field for the 2019 Double-A Bowie Baysox team that played for the Eastern League championship. He was back at Bowie last year as part of the alternate site camp. But outfielder Ryan McKenna's first major league shot is getting closer. And his rise from high school fourth-round draft pick in 2015 to the big leagues is almost complete. For those Baysox in 2019, over 135 games, McKenna, 24, batted .232/.321/.365/.686 with 26 doubles, six...