O's game blog: Looking for a sweep in Houston
O's game blog: Looking for a sweep in Houston
Steve Melewski
Orioles
An Orioles offense that has scored 22 runs the past two nights in Houston should get a test tonight from an Astros rookie right-hander who will try to pitch his team to a sweep-avoiding win tonight. The Orioles beat Houston 9-7 on Monday night and 13-3 last night. Last week in Baltimore they got swept three in a row by Houston and scored just three runs on 14 hits in that series, hitting one homer while going 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position. In the first two games this series,...
An emotional day for Spenser Watkins ends with him in the majors
An emotional day for Spenser Watkins ends with him in the majors
Steve Melewski
Orioles
If we ever forget how special it can be for a player to reach the big leagues, we can go back and check out today's interview with one of the newest Orioles: pitcher Spenser Watkins. Signed by the club as minor league free agent Feb. 3, the 28-year-old right-hander earlier today got the call he has always waited for. He was added to the Orioles active roster from the taxi squad in Houston. After eight seasons - most spent in the Detroit organization - and more than 600 minor league innings, he...
More on Lakins' elbow and Watkins' arrival in majors
More on Lakins' elbow and Watkins' arrival in majors
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Orioles pitcher Travis Lakins Sr. isn't done undergoing tests on his right elbow. Manager Brandon Hyde said today on his Zoom call that Lakins will have the elbow checked again later this week after the team arrives in California to finish its road trip against the Angels. The Orioles are off Thursday. No matter the result, Lakins is expected to be unavailable for a significant stretch. "Right now we're still calling it an elbow strain, but they're going to do some further tests on it,"...
Orioles put Lakins on IL, add Watkins and Mattson
Orioles put Lakins on IL, add Watkins and Mattson
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles placed pitcher Travis Lakins Sr. on the 10-day injured list today with right elbow pain, selected the contract of pitcher Spenser Watkins from Triple-A Norfolk and recalled reliever Isaac Mattson. Watkins and Mattson were on the taxi squad. Left-hander Alexander Wells was optioned to the Tides after earning his first major league win last night. The Orioles also declared infielder Stevie Wilkerson has been designated for assignment to create room for Watkins on the 40-man...
Bullpen thin today, but help could be coming soon
Bullpen thin today, but help could be coming soon
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Asked during his pregame Zoom session with reporters around 2:15 p.m. who he planned to have pitching the late innings today if the Nationals hold a lead, Davey Martinez laughed like a manager who knew there was no simple answer to that question. "Actually, I've got a meeting at 3 o'clock with (pitching coach Jim) Hickey, so we're going to start figuring this stuff out," Martinez said. Suffice it to say, the situation is more complicated than it normally would be. Four key late-inning...
Sceroler "thankful for this whole entire situation"
Sceroler "thankful for this whole entire situation"
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Tuesday drive from Mac Sceroler's home in Louisiana to Chattanooga, Tenn., didn't show it on any map, but he traveled down a steep hill to get there. The peak of it actually back in Baltimore. The descent from the majors to Double-A baseball is common with Rule 5 selections. Sceroler sensed that it might be coming. Braced for it and understanding of the reasons. Two months spent on the injured list and rehabbing his right shoulder tore through whatever odds of success existed with...
Game 78 lineups: Nats vs. Rays
Game 78 lineups: Nats vs. Rays
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
It is scorching hot today. It's going to be 95 degrees with a heat index well above 100 when the Nationals take the field at 4:05 p.m. for the finale of their two-game series with the Rays. If you've got tickets, make sure you dress appropriately and prepare to drink a lot of water. And, of course, make sure you're in your seats in time for the first pitch of the bottom of the first, when Kyle Schwarber digs in to face Rays opener Drew Rasmussen and tries to do it again. The current tally,...
Cade Cavalli selected to All-Star Futures Game
Cade Cavalli selected to All-Star Futures Game
Bobby Blanco
Nationals
One of the hottest pitchers in all of baseball resides in the Nationals farm system and is going to be in the national spotlight a couple of weeks from now during Major League Baseball's All-Star festivities, testing his talents with the best prospects the sport has to offer. Cade Cavalli has been selected to represent the organization in the 2021 SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game. The announcement was made earlier Wednesday morning on MLB Network's "MLB Central." Cavalli, 22, leads all of...
Rutschman and Diplán chosen for All-Star Futures Game
Rutschman and Diplán chosen for All-Star Futures Game
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Top prospect Adley Rutschman is one of the highest profile names listed among players chosen today for the All-Star Futures Game. Rutschman, chosen by the Orioles as the first overall selection in the 2019 draft out of Oregon State University, was selected to the American League team. One of his teammates is Triple-A Norfolk pitcher Marcos Diplán. The 22nd installment of the game will be played at 3 p.m. Sunday, July 11, at Coors Field in Denver. Rutschman, 23, is batting .287/.426/.520 with...
Cavalli selected for 2021 SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game
Cavalli selected for 2021 SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game
Pete Kerzel
Nationals
Washington Nationals top pitching prospect Cade Cavalli has been selected to represent the organization in the 2021 SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game. Major League Baseball made the announcement today on MLB Network's "MLB Central." The 22nd SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game features the top Minor League prospects competing as part of All-Star Sunday. Cavalli, 22, leads all of Minor League Baseball with 88 strikeouts and ranks among all Minor League pitchers in ERA (4th, 1.77), WHIP (7th, 0.89)...