Robles out of lineup again, getting MRI on ankle
Robles out of lineup again, getting MRI on ankle
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The Nationals are without Victor Robles again tonight and now are awaiting results of an MRI taken on the center fielder's right ankle, which remains sore two days after it buckled while he rounded first base in Chicago. Manager Davey Martinez said during his Zoom session before tonight's game against the Orioles that Robles remains day-to-day for now. "He went to get an MRI today, we're waiting on the results," Martinez said. "As the day progressed yesterday, he got sore. So we wanted to...
Hyde on bullpen, Valdez and baseball's unwritten rule
Hyde on bullpen, Valdez and baseball's unwritten rule
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
A bullpen that surrendered 25 earned runs in 34 innings on the homestand, and needed utility player Stevie Wilkerson to cover the ninth yesterday, won't undergo any changes in the series opener against the Nationals in D.C. The only roster move announced today involved outfielder Anthony Santander's reinstatement from the injured list. "We did consider it," manager Brandon Hyde said in his Zoom call with the media. "We're pretty banged up, so would love to get some innings out of Lopie...
Washington Nationals reinstate Stephen Strasburg
Washington Nationals reinstate Stephen Strasburg
Doug Miller
Nationals
The Washington Nationals returned from rehab assignment and reinstated right-handed pitcher Stephen Strasburg from the 10-day Injured List and optioned right-handed pitcher Kyle McGowin to Triple-A Rochester on Friday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Strasburg, 32, returns to the active roster after missing 31 games with right shoulder inflammation. He was placed on the 10-day Injured List on April 18 (retroactive to April 15). He...
Santander reinstated from IL (plus lineups)
Santander reinstated from IL (plus lineups)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles reinstated outfielder Anthony Santander from the injured list today, the obvious corresponding roster move after they optioned Ryan McKenna to Triple-A Norfolk. Santander is in tonight's lineup against the Nationals in D.C., batting cleanup and playing right field. He's going to be facing Stephen Strasburg, who's coming off the injured list. Santander has been on the IL since April 20 with a sprained left ankle. "Basically, the timetable was two-to-four weeks depending on how I...
A few minor league notes and a few O's pitching stats
A few minor league notes and a few O's pitching stats
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The Orioles' four full-season minor league teams are currently playing .576 ball with a combined record of 34-25 through 59 games. The Orioles have three first-place teams among four as Double-A Bowie, high Single-A Aberdeen and low Single-A Delmarva are all either in or tied for first place in their respective leagues. Triple-A Norfolk is the outlier, and it's been a tough year for the Tides between injuries and losses. They have lost seven in a row and 9 of 10 to fall to 3-12. The Tides...
Game 41 lineups: Nats vs. Orioles
Game 41 lineups: Nats vs. Orioles
Mark Zuckerman
Orioles
The last time we saw Stephen Strasburg on the mound in a big league game, it was obvious he wasn't right. The veteran hurler was throwing fastballs that barely registered 90 mph. His pitches weren't sharp at all. His mechanics were off. His body language suggested he didn't feel right. Turns out Strasburg was indeed injured, dealing with right shoulder inflammation. The Nationals placed him on the 10-day IL and left him to go through a full rehab process. Tonight, that process finally ends...
How do Nats make next 40 games better than first 40?
How do Nats make next 40 games better than first 40?
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
It began, shockingly enough, with the biggest offensive explosion of the season. The Nationals opened their just-completed, seven-game road trip with a 17-2 dismantling of the Diamondbacks, a blowout win that saw everyone in the starting lineup score at least once. At last, here was evidence the Nats' sluggish offense was ready to bust out for good. Instead, the road trip turned into a bust for this team, and specifically its still struggling lineup. Over their next six games in Arizona and...
O's have played 31 games vs. clubs currently with winning records
O's have played 31 games vs. clubs currently with winning records
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The Orioles schedule takes a turn beginning today. A turn away from American League East games. Thus far, they have played 23 of their 43 games and seven of 14 series within the division. After playing 54 percent of their current schedule against the AL East, the Orioles will play none of their next six series against the AL East. They go to Washington beginning tonight, followed by a trip to Minnesota and the Chicago White Sox. After that, they come home to face Minnesota, Cleveland and the...
Agent's role in convincing Valdez to sign before closing
Agent's role in convincing Valdez to sign before closing
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
To get César Valdez into the Orioles organization and eventually their bullpen and anoint him the closer based on his usage moreso than spoken words, he first had to be convinced to leave Mexico and trust the people closest to him. To regain his love of pitching in the majors, or at least the idea of it, rather than view the possibility through a skeptical lens. Valdez's success story entertains because of the dead-fish changeup that's just one separator from the traditional closers....
Another rough start could leave Ross' job in jeopardy (updated)
Another rough start could leave Ross' job in jeopardy (updated)
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
For weeks, these two questions have loomed over the Nationals: When will Stephen Strasburg return from a shoulder injury, and who will lose his spot in the rotation once he does? As this seven-game road trip to Arizona and Chicago progressed, the answer to the first question became clear: Strasburg would be ready to come off the 10-day injured list Friday to start the Nats' homestand opener against the Orioles. The answer to the second question has become a bit more complicated, not because of...