The rookies took the mound, but O's got swept in doubleheader
The rookies took the mound, but O's got swept in doubleheader
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Who could blame left-hander Bruce Zimmermann if there were some nerves when he took the mound in the first inning tonight. He was not only making his big league debut, but doing it for his hometown team. Doing it on the same mound where he once pitched in the Brooks Robinson High School All-Star Game in 2013. And Zimmermann fell behind 3-0 after his first major league inning. He overthrew a slider and hit the second batter he faced, then walked the third, not getting some close pitches. Then he...
Valdez allows first runs in Orioles' 3-1 loss in Game 1 (updated)
Valdez allows first runs in Orioles' 3-1 loss in Game 1 (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Dean Kremer has become the rookie middle brother. He's the Peter Brady of the Orioles. Keegan Akin made his major league debut on Aug. 14, about three weeks ahead of Kremer. Bruce Zimmermann, the Ellicott City resident and newest arrival, is starting Game 2 of tonight's doubleheader after the Orioles selected his contract from the alternate camp site. It's follow and be followed for Kremer, whose third career start this afternoon finally let him to face a team from outside New York. The Rays...
Eaton placed on IL with fractured finger
Eaton placed on IL with fractured finger
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The Nationals lost another key member of their roster for the remainder of this shortened season today when they placed outfielder Adam Eaton on the 10-day injured list with a fractured left index finger. Eaton hurt himself trying to bunt with two outs and the bases loaded in the second inning of Wednesday's 4-2 win at Tampa Bay. He remained in the game for two more innings and nearly made a diving catch in right field at one point, but was pulled before his spot in the lineup came up...
O's game blog: Kremer and Zimmermann start in doubleheader
O's game blog: Kremer and Zimmermann start in doubleheader
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The Orioles will send two rookie pitchers to the mound today as they host the Tampa Bay Rays in a doubleheader. This begins the last home series of the year for the Orioles, as the clubs will play five games in the next four days. Right-hander Dean Kremer (1-0, 1.64 ERA) will start Game 1 and Baltimorean Bruce Zimmermann will make his major league debut as the lefty starts Game 2. Zimmermann will become the fifth Oriole to make his major league debut in 2020 when he takes the mound. Since this...
More on Zimmermann's promotion and rotation plans
More on Zimmermann's promotion and rotation plans
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Bruce Zimmermann was headed to Fort Myers to start a March 12 exhibition game against the Twins when the team bus circled the Orioles spring complex and returned. The game was canceled. The sport had shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic. Zimmermann already made a positive impression on the Orioles and he's preparing for his major league debut in Game 2 of today's doubleheader against the Rays at Camden Yards. The Orioles will select Zimmermann's contract from the alternate camp site in...
As Bruce Zimmermann arrives, add another young arm to rotation
As Bruce Zimmermann arrives, add another young arm to rotation
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The Orioles' improving rotation will see another young starter get his chance tonight. Left-hander Bruce Zimmermann, an Ellicott City product who grew up rooting for the Orioles, will get the start in Game 2 of the doubleheader with Tampa Bay. That is after another young pitcher, right-hander Dean Kremer, starts Game 1. And after another young pitcher, homegrown lefty Keegan Akin, threw five scoreless last night against a very strong lineup and first-place team in the Atlanta Braves. Akin is...
Wojciechowski DFA, Zimmermann starting Game 2
Wojciechowski DFA, Zimmermann starting Game 2
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Baltimore native Bruce Zimmermann has been summoned from the alternate camp site in Bowie and announced as the probable starter for Game 2 of today's doubleheader against the Rays at Camden Yards. The corresponding roster move will be made following Game 1. Asher Wojciechowski has been designated for assignment and the Orioles recalled relievers Branden Kline and Evan Phillips from the secondary site. Phillips was added as the 29th man. One of the relievers could return to Bowie after Game 1...
Noll catching on in return to the Nats
Noll catching on in return to the Nats
Byron Kerr
Nationals
It has been a very good return to the Nationals for Jake Noll this week. So far, he has gone 2-for-3 with a pair of singles against Tampa Bay as a pinch-hitter and designated hitter. Triple-A Fresno manager Randy Knorr, one of the many coaches working with players at the Nats' alternate training site, told manager Davey Martinez that Noll was improving a lot over the past two months on offense and defense. But what really got Martinez's attention was when Knorr spoke about how Noll was...
What would expanded playoffs in 2021 mean for O's, plus other notes
What would expanded playoffs in 2021 mean for O's, plus other notes
Steve Melewski
Orioles
It was not a big surprise when we learned this week that Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred has designs on making this year's expanded 16-team playoffs permanent. The reasons for this would start with a big one: money. Extra dollars are clearly generated and that benefits both players and owners. This also will allow for pennant races to include more teams. In 2019 we saw five playoff teams, and now there would be eight in each league. That is more than half of each league that...
Examining the Chris Davis situation
Examining the Chris Davis situation
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde is choosing between Renato Núñez, Pat Valaika and Ryan Mountcastle for the starts at first base as the final days tick down on the 2020 season. Núñez and Valaika more out of necessity this summer, Mountcastle as a way to get him comfortable again at the position and fit four outfielders in the lineup. Who's on first in 2021? Mountcastle is expected to keep getting most of the starts in left field. Valaika is more valuable in a super-utility role, with...