Notes on Orioles' lineup changes, Hays' return, Head's arrival and more
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Cedric Mullins has moved down to eighth in the Orioles’ order for tonight’s series opener against the Blue Jays at Camden Yards. Ryan McKenna is batting leadoff for the fifth time in his career. The reasoning is simple. The splits, which matter with Toronto starting left-hander Yusei Kikuchi. And the composition of the Jays’ bullpen, which is stric
Game 111 lineups: Nats at Cubs
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
CHICAGO – There’s no kind way to put this: The Nationals are in an awful state right now. This season already was bad before the trade deadline, and it’s only gotten worse since (which, considering who they dealt away, isn’t shocking at all). There was that one inspiring win over the Mets on deadline day, but there have been five straight losses si
Orioles make roster moves, Hays returns to lineup and Mullins batting eighth
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles recalled reliever Louis Head this afternoon from Triple-A Norfolk to provide a fresh bullpen arm. They optioned Beau Sulser following yesterday’s game. Head, who’s wearing No. 60, came to the organization as a July 12 waiver claim from the Marlins. He was on the injured list with a left shoulder impingement. The right-hander made his ma
Félix Bautista was bringing the heat in first save chance since the López trade
Steve Melewski
Orioles
When he took the mound at Camden Yards on Friday night in the ninth, right-hander Félix Bautista was trying to hold the Orioles' 1-0 lead over Pittsburgh and pick up his fourth career save. He would get it done and close out the win. But even though it wasn’t a clean save – he gave up a single and walk with one out – it was a devastating show of po
Looking at some position battles for remainder of the season
Bobby Blanco
Nationals
Believe it or not, the Nationals only have 52 games left this season. We have hit the home stretch of the summer. Obviously, this franchise is going in a different direction than it has in the past. Selling your best players in back-to-back trade deadlines will do that. But with sell-offs come exciting prospects and opportunities for young players
Vavra's on-base skills are carrying over to the Orioles
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Terrin Vavra returned to his locker yesterday morning as neighbor Tyler Nevin wrapped up an interview about the rookie, the last compliment reaching his ears. Vavra never turned to watch, never acted like he overheard it. He just went about his business until he couldn’t ignore it any longer. Nevin didn’t let the moment pass quietly, telling Vavra
Nats swept out of Philly with another blowout loss (updated)
Bobby Blanco
Nationals
PHILADELPHIA – The first five games of the post-Juan Soto and Josh Bell era have been difficult for the Nationals. And unfortunately, it doesn’t look like it’s going to get any easier. “They were big parts of the team," manager Davey Martinez said of Soto and Bell. "But for me, it's about giving guys another opportunity. These guys get an opportuni
Soft hits and controversial call keep Orioles from extending winning streak (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The first pitch of today’s game produced a grounder to Rougned Odor, making his third base debut as an Oriole, a position he tolerated last summer with the Yankees. He fielded it cleanly, paused and fired across the diamond for the out. Of course, the ball found him right away. A grounder in the second eluded first baseman Ryan Mountcastle’s, but T
O's game blog: Looking for a sweep against Pittsburgh
Steve Melewski
Orioles
With 1-0 and 6-3 wins over Pittsburgh this weekend, the Orioles have moved closer to a playoff spot and also are now a win away from a second consecutive three-game sweep. They’ll try to get that this afternoon in the series finale. The Orioles beat the Bucs 1-0 on a combined six-hitter Friday night as Dean Kremer allowed four hits over 6 1/3 innin
Nats recall Thompson, option Weems before Philly finale
Bobby Blanco
Nationals
PHILADELPHIA – Needing bullpen help after Patrick Corbin only recorded two outs in last night’s loss to the Phillies, the Nationals recalled right-hander Mason Thompson from Triple-A Rochester and optioned right-hander Jordan Weems to Rochester before today’s finale at Citizens Bank Park. “We made a move today. We sent Jordan down, brought up Mason