Tate impresses in Orioles return, Rodriguez happy to "rip some fastballs" (O's win 5-2)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. – An exhibition game, with results that don’t really count, meant everything to Orioles reliever Dillon Tate. Tate was back on the mound today after a right flexor forearm strain kept him away from it last spring. He didn’t pitch for the Orioles after experiencing a setback during a rehab assignment, but is in good health again and e
Source: Nats signing former Red Sox closer Matt Barnes to minor league deal
Mark Zuckerman
Masn
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Still searching for more experienced bullpen help, the Nationals have agreed to a minor league contract with former Red sox closer Matt Barnes, according to a source familiar with the deal. Barnes, who still needs to pass a physical before his signing is official, will become the latest veteran reliever to join the Nats’ maj
Orioles pregame notes on Stowers, Henderson, pitching and more
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. – Kyle Stowers wasn’t sitting on a changeup yesterday. The very idea made him laugh. But he got the barrel on it yesterday, pulling the ball to right field for his first spring home run in the Orioles’ 2-1 split-squad win over the Braves in North Port. Stowers won his latest left-on-left battle, this time against Atlanta’s Dylan Lee.
Starting lineups: Nats vs. Astros in West Palm Beach
Mark Zuckerman
Masn
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Nationals’ top prospects have been given a good amount of playing time early this spring, but most of that time has come later in games, when they’re facing minor league pitchers. That changes today, because Davey Martinez has four of the kids in the starting lineup against an accomplished major leaguer. James Wood, Dyla
Orioles lineup vs. split-squad Tigers in Sarasota
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. – Jackson Holliday is leading off for the Orioles this afternoon for their game against the split-squad Tigers at Ed Smith Stadium. Holliday gets another start at second base, with Jorge Mateo at shortstop. Coby Mayo is making back-to-back starts at third base. Ryan McKenna is the center fielder today, with Daniel Johnson in left fie
After being limited by injuries in 2023, Ryan Mountcastle looks for productive '24
Steve Melewski
Orioles
For a player that was limited by injuries to 115 games and 470 plate appearances in the 2023, Ryan Mountcastle still did some nice things with his potentially potent bat. Especially in the second half when his OBP soared to heights when have not seen from him in the big leagues. On the year Mounty hit .270/.328/.452/.779 producing career bests in b
Abrams' remarkable journey from Opening Day fiasco to breakthrough season
Mark Zuckerman
Masn
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Inside the home clubhouse at Nationals Park back on March 30, 2023, a devasted CJ Abrams couldn’t believe the nightmare he had just endured. In his first Opening Day as the Nats’ starting shortstop, the then-22-year-old committed three errors while also going 0-for-4, a disastrous game for anyone at any time, let alone the f
More Orioles observations in early days of exhibition games
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. – The Orioles are playing their fifth exhibition game this afternoon, hosting the Tigers with Grayson Rodriguez making his first start. Among my camp observations prior to the opener were Jackson Holliday prepping to play second base, teammates being excited to have Dillon Tate back, Cedric Mullins resembling the pre-injury version o
With sharp fastball, Gray excels in first start of spring
Mark Zuckerman
Masn
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – That Josiah Gray struck out five Mets batters today during his two-inning spring debut was good news for the Nationals That he struck out three of those batters swinging at fastballs was great news for Gray. “Anytime you can get swings and misses, especially on the fastball, is a good feeling,” the right-hander said. “A conf
Povich on his outing, Mayo on hot start in camp and more Orioles split-squad notes (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
SARASOTA, Fla. – Cade Povich received a mound visit from his catcher this afternoon after only 14 pitches. Povich issued back-to-back walks to Tampa Bay’s Jonathan Aranda and Curtis Mead with one out in the first inning and fell behind 2-0 to Junior Caminero, prompting Adley Rutschman to call time and offer some counseling. It worked. Povich missed