Infield depth could be seriously tested if Escobar misses time
Infield depth could be seriously tested if Escobar misses time
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The sight of Alcides Escobar writhing in pain on the ground Monday night after fouling a ball of his left knee, then needing major assistance from manager Davey Martinez and director of athletic training Paul Lessard just to walk off the field, was plenty disheartening for the Nationals. But the realization of what an injury to Escobar would mean for the Nats infield moving forward was downright frightening. Fortunately, it doesn't appear the club will have to confront that issue head-on....
The former big leaguer serving as Delmarva mentor, plus O's notes
The former big leaguer serving as Delmarva mentor, plus O's notes
Steve Melewski
Orioles
When the low Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds took the field the last two weeks, with their new-look roster featuring a host of 2021 draft picks, an older pitcher ran to the mound four times with them. He kind of fit in with his own youthful look, even though he is 30 and a veteran of 92 major league games. Before the game, some fans may have figured he was one of the coaches, but lefty Ty Blach is still a player. A player just over 13 months removed from Tommy John surgery and pitching with...
Rough night for Gray-Ruiz battery in loss to Phillies (updated)
Rough night for Gray-Ruiz battery in loss to Phillies (updated)
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The Nationals wanted so much for this to be a memorable night, the first of many featuring Josiah Gray on the mound and Keibert Ruiz behind the plate. And there will be many more nights featuring the young battery and centerpieces of last month's blockbuster trade that sent Max Scherzer and Trea Turner to the Dodgers. No matter how their story turns out, whether in glory or failure, Gray and Ruiz won't have reason to look back on tonight's proceedings with much fondness. Gray slogged his way...
Ellis' improvement overshadowed by Guerrero (updated)
Ellis' improvement overshadowed by Guerrero (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The first batter of the fourth inning got Chris Ellis again, except he kept going tonight. Kept himself in the Orioles' pitching plans that otherwise are in their familiar unsettled state. Ellis didn't allow a run against the Blue Jays until Vladimir Guerrero Jr. homered to lead off the fourth and tie the game. He went a career-high 4 2/3 innings, allowing just the one run and two hits. Ryan Mountcastle homered and had an RBI infield hit to drive in both Orioles runs, but Dillon Tate was...
Orioles hoping Fry finds confidence in Triple-A
Orioles hoping Fry finds confidence in Triple-A
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
When projecting which players could join the Orioles on their slightly expanded September roster, reliever Paul Fry wasn't supposed to enter the discussion because he wasn't supposed to leave the team. Fry was the top left-handed reliever on the club. The top reliever, period, for a time. Earning a chance to close. And then the bottom fell out. The Orioles optioned Fry to Triple-A Norfolk after he allowed four runs Sunday in one-third of an inning - Joey Wendle's grand slam after a single...
O's game blog: Road trip begins at Toronto
O's game blog: Road trip begins at Toronto
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The Orioles begin a two-city, six-game road trip tonight playing at Toronto, where they have not played since Sept. 25, 2019. The Orioles play three games at Rogers Centre and then, after Thursday's off-day, play three games at Yankee Stadium. The Orioles got swept three by Tampa Bay over the weekend by 6-3, 4-3 and 12-8 scores. They went 1-18 versus the Rays and have lost 22 of 24 games overall. The Orioles were swept for the 17th time and Tampa Bay recorded its 13th series sweep. The road...
Barrera heading to Triple-A, Adams starts learning first base
Barrera heading to Triple-A, Adams starts learning first base
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Keibert Ruiz's arrival in Washington has a domino effect on the Nationals catching corps, which has suddenly grown in size and promise in the last month. The 23-year-old top prospect is going to start most days the rest of the season, manager Davey Martinez revealed today, which means far less playing time for anyone else behind the plate. The plan, then, for now: Tres Barrera is headed back to Triple-A Rochester, where he will continue to catch on a daily basis, while Riley Adams becomes the...
Orioles lineup, Hyde on bench and Fry, Burdi on new team
Orioles lineup, Hyde on bench and Fry, Burdi on new team
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Center fielder Cedric Mullins is out of tonight's Orioles lineup for the opener of a three-game series in Toronto. Manager Brandon Hyde is resting him. There isn't an injury situation. Ryan McKenna, recalled this afternoon, is playing center and batting seventh. Austin Hays is leading off and playing left field. Jahmai Jones also is counted among the four reserves. Jorge Mateo is the second baseman tonight, with Ramón Urías at shortstop. Ryan Mountcastle is batting second again. A...
Orioles recall Burdi and McKenna
Orioles recall Burdi and McKenna
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles are carrying a four-man bench in Toronto today after recalling reliever Zack Burdi and outfielder Ryan McKenna from Triple-A Norfolk. Spots were opened yesterday with the Orioles optioning pitchers Paul Fry and Spenser Watkins. Burdi, a former first-round pick out of the University of Louisville, was selected off waivers from the White Sox on Aug. 18. He has an 8.27 ERA and 1.898 WHIP in 14 major league relief appearances covering 16 1/3 innings, but he averages 12.7 strikeouts per...
Nationals recall Keibert Ruiz
Nationals recall Keibert Ruiz
Pete Kerzel
Nationals
The Washington Nationals recalled catcher Keibert Ruiz from Triple-A Rochester on Monday and optioned catcher Tres Barrera to Triple-A Rochester following the game on Sunday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Ruiz, 23, is the consensus top prospect in Washington's Minor League system and is the No. 13 overall prospect in baseball according to Baseball America and the No. 19 prospect according to MLBPipeline.com. He joins the...