Zimmermann and Urías making early impressions in camp
Zimmermann and Urías making early impressions in camp
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Brandon Hyde won't overreact to individual production in early exhibition games. Like any manager, he'll place his judgments on hold until later. In the meantime, there are players assured of roster spots on opening day who just want to get ready. Players on the fringes who can get bumped in either direction. Important that they know the difference. The latter group can't be sluggish coming out of the gate, no matter how patient the manager is and how measured his reactions. Left-hander...
Cavalli, Rutledge overcome nerves in spring debuts
Cavalli, Rutledge overcome nerves in spring debuts
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
There were nerves, for sure. This was, after all, the first time Cade Cavalli and Jackson Rutledge had pitched in a big league spring training game. Not to mention the first time either of the Nationals' top two pitching prospects had faced hitters from another organization in a year. So it perhaps wasn't surprising when Cavalli opened the bottom of the second today in Port St. Lucie, Fla., with a walk and a misplayed comebacker. Nor was it surprising when Rutledge opened the bottom of the...
Urías homers as late substitute in 6-3 win
Urías homers as late substitute in 6-3 win
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Freddy Galvis was going to play shortstop today. Ramon Urías was supposed to wait his next turn. Manager Brandon Hyde scratched Galvis from the lineup with a sore hip and inserted Urías, who belted a three-run homer in the bottom of the fifth inning to give the Orioles a 6-3 win over the Red Sox at Ed Smith Stadium. The Orioles improved their record to 2-2-1. Urías didn't hurt his chances of making the team, though a decision is pending on the length of the bench. Urías is...
Dean Kremer on his outing today (O's beat Boston)
Dean Kremer on his outing today (O's beat Boston)
Steve Melewski
Orioles
For the fourth time in five games, an Orioles starting pitcher allowed runs today. And for the second time this spring, an O's starter was pulled with two outs in the first only to return and pitch the second inning. Lefty John Means did that Tuesday and right-hander Dean Kremer did today as the Orioles faced the Boston Red Sox. Kremer struggled with command during the opening inning before he was lifted. Boston center fielder Jarren Duran doubled to left with one out and Kremer fanned...
Braymer learning from experience and veterans in camp
Braymer learning from experience and veterans in camp
Bobby Blanco
Nationals
Ben Braymer has been with the Nationals longer than you might think. An 18th-round draft pick out of Auburn University in 2016, the 26-year-old left-hander is entering his sixth season in the organization. Considering his age, the year he was drafted (the same as Carter Kieboom and former Nats prospects Dane Dunning and Jesús Luzardo) and his progression through the minor league system, you might be surprised even still that Braymer finished 2020 as just the Nationals' No. 22 ranked...
Wells and Martin getting healthier in camp (Galvis scratched)
Wells and Martin getting healthier in camp (Galvis scratched)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The injury news in Orioles camp seems to be improving, with one notable exception. Pitcher Alexander Wells reported to the complex with a sore oblique, similar to his ailment last spring, but he's able to play catch as he inches closer to his first game. Wells was placed on the 40-man roster to protect him in the Rule 5 draft. He was throwing and facing hitters in Australia before traveling to the United States. The Orioles are intrigued by Wells' control - he's averaged only 1.4 walks per...
Rainey building arm back up after "minor muscle strain"
Rainey building arm back up after "minor muscle strain"
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
None of the Nationals' projected late-inning relievers have made their spring debuts yet. Mostly, that's by design as the club slowly builds them up during the first two weeks of camp. One of them, however, has been held back not by design but by injury. Tanner Rainey, the most promising young arm in the Nats' relief corps, has been dealing with what manager Davey Martinez termed a "minor muscle strain" near his right collarbone. The right-hander was shut down for several days but has...
Lineups: Nats vs. Mets in Port St. Lucie
Lineups: Nats vs. Mets in Port St. Lucie
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
There are some notable names making the 45-minute trip from West Palm Beach, Fla., to Port St. Lucie today for the Nationals' exhibition game against the Mets. Ryan Zimmerman, Kyle Schwarber and Carter Kieboom are all in the lineup. So is Yan Gomes, making his spring debut behind the plate. And so is Victor Robles, whose left arm appears to be fine one day after he was hit by a pitch. (Stop us if you've heard that one before.) But the most intriguing names in today's game might well be a...
Orioles and Red Sox lineups
Orioles and Red Sox lineups
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Ryan McKenna is starting in left field today as the Orioles host the Red Sox. Cedric Mullins is back in center field and atop the order, alternating with Austin Hays. Yusniel Diaz gets his first start in right field after twice playing left field. Trey Mancini is the first baseman. Rylan Bannon is at third base instead of Rio Ruiz. For the Orioles Cedric Mullins CF Trey Mancini 1B Anthony Santander DH Pedro Severino C Freddy Galvis SS Yusniel Diaz RF Yolmer Sánchez 2B Rylan Bannon 3B Ryan...
Schwarber's swing fix got a head start, thanks to Long's visit
Schwarber's swing fix got a head start, thanks to Long's visit
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Kyle Schwarber had only been a National for a handful of days. It was mid-January, and the former Cubs left fielder was just starting to chat with his new hitting coach, Kevin Long. The two talked about Schwarber's struggles last season and the state of his swing, and Long mentioned that he could come visit him at his offseason home in Tampa and work one-on-one in person. "Let's go!" Schwarber told him. "I'm ready." "All right," Long replied. "I'll be there in three days." So it was...