As they waited for approval to resume full workouts in preparation for the delayed start to their season, the Nationals added the first player from outside the organization who could find himself on an opening day roster that will be stacked with unexpected reinforcements. Veteran catcher Jonathan Lucroy agreed to terms on a minor league contract Saturday night, a source familiar with the deal confirmed, and presumably will be available should the Nats need to replace one or both of their major...

A couple of strategies have worked for the Orioles in the season's first two games. Get a deep start from ace John Means, hand the ball to a setup man and the closer of the day, and head back to the team hotel. Call upon a bulk reliever working behind a starter who gets into the fourth or fifth inning, hand the ball to a setup man and the closer of the day, and head back to the team hotel. That's how the Orioles have gone 2-0 and can try to complete the sweep later today at Fenway Park....

If it's a long reliever you seek, check out the Orioles bullpen. They have several there, waiting their chance. They include newcomer Adam Plutko and former starter Wade LeBlanc, along with the club's two Rule 5 draft picks - right-handers Tyler Wells and Mac Sceroler. Plutko made his O's debut on Saturday and pitched very well in his long relief outing. He threw 2 1/3 scoreless innings and got the win against Boston. Wells, drafted out of the Minnesota Twins organization, has not pitched in...

The Dark Knight caught his last glimpse of sunlight on the mound this afternoon after failing to grab a ball hit back to him that produced a run and a visit from his manager. Matt Harvey's first game with the Orioles, his first experience at Fenway Park, lasted 4 2/3 innings and was neither a rousing success nor a dud. A middle-of-the-order result from the No. 2 starter. A couple of clutch hits and lockdown relief assured the Orioles of a series win after they defeated the Red Sox...

They will want him to get deeper into the games, but besides that, right-hander Matt Harvey did a lot right in his Orioles debut today. He kept his team in the game, even though he didn't get a decision. Harvey gave up two runs over 4 2/3 innings in his official club debut this afternoon at Fenway Park. The Orioles pulled out a 4-2 win over the Red Sox to win this series and produce a 2-0 start. New Birds pitcher Adam Plutko had a strong relief outing. He kept Boston off the board over 2 1/3...

After posting the sixth opening day shutout - and first since 2005 - in club history yesterday, the Orioles play the second game of their series in Boston this afternoon. Lefty John Means allowed just one hit over seven innings and two relievers joined him to team on a two-hitter in Friday's 3-0 win at Fenway Park. Means threw 97 pitches, 65 for strikes. He retired the last 18 batters he faced as Boston batters went 2-for-29 on the day against Means, Tanner Scott and César Valdez. Over his...

Pedro Severino is behind the plate again today for the Orioles after catching yesterday's combined two-hit shutout at Fenway Park and collecting two hits. The Red Sox are starting three right-handers in the series, which could get Chance Sisco in the lineup. Or he'll wait until the Orioles resume their road trip in the Bronx. The life of a backup. "I was really impressed with Sevie," manager Brandon Hyde said today in his Zoom call. "I thought we didn't talk enough about what Sevie did...

Rio Ruiz is starting again today at second base, as the Orioles try to clinch the season's opening series with a victory against the Red Sox at Fenway Park. The lineup may look familiar. Austin Hays in left field, Ryan Mountcastle as the designated hitter, Trey Mancini at first base, Pedro Severino batting ninth. Ruiz made three outstanding plays yesterday in his first start at second base and only this third appearance. He began working out at the position late in camp after a meeting with...

A player with just two career innings in the majors at second base - and none in the minors - was called on to make three big defensive plays on Friday. The ball will always find you. For inexperienced second sacker Rio Ruiz, it did on opening day in Boston. Two challenging popups running into the outfield that he had to chase down and a diving stop to his left to rob Alex Verdugo leading off in the last of the seventh. All big in a close, low-scoring game. "I think the first fly ball I had,...

The Nationals have for the last 72 hours been in what Mike Rizzo referred to as "crisis management mode." Every moment the longtime general manager has been awake since learning one of his players tested positive for COVID-19 has been spent trying to coordinate contact tracing, trying to figure out who's healthy and who isn't healthy and trying to figure out which 26 players ultimately are going to take the field on opening day (whenever that is). "That's often the way that this job is,"...