Jorge López on struggles in the third today (O's lose)
Jorge López on struggles in the third today (O's lose)
Steve Melewski
Orioles
He came into his start today at Ed Smith Stadium having allowed just one run in his last nine innings. Orioles right-hander Jorge López was quietly having a strong camp. But he ran into big trouble in the third inning this afternoon in Sarasota against the Minnesota Twins. The O's fell behind by six runs in that inning, but Maikel Franco, in his O's debut, and Ryan Mountcastle have hit them back into the game. López came into this outing on a roll. For the spring, over four appearances,...
Stewart nearing exclusion from opening day roster
Stewart nearing exclusion from opening day roster
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Orioles outfielder DJ Stewart hasn't played since March 5 due to a hamstring injury. He isn't in today's lineup and could remain out at least during the early portion of the week. A "mild tweak," as it was described, is taking a significant amount of time to heal. Stewart is cleared to bat in intrasquad games. However, the Orioles don't want to turn him loose on the bases and risk a setback. Hamstrings require patience. Opening day is less than two weeks away and Stewart has appeared in...
Rainey to make game debut today, Parra progressing well
Rainey to make game debut today, Parra progressing well
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Tanner Rainey will make his Grapefruit League debut at last today, a critical sign the Nationals reliever should be ready to open the season on the active roster. Rainey's spring had been delayed by a muscle strain near his right collarbone. Though it forced him to slow things down early in camp, the right-hander resumed throwing weeks ago and pitched in a simulated game earlier this week. With no more concerns about the injury, Rainey has now been cleared to pitch in a game. The Nationals...
Lineups: Nats vs. Mets in West Palm Beach (updated)
Lineups: Nats vs. Mets in West Palm Beach (updated)
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
As far as Grapefruit League games go, this is about as good as it gets. Max Scherzer versus Jacob deGrom, late in camp, with tons of regulars in the lineup for both teams. In what very well may be a preview of opening night at Nationals Park, arguably the two best pitchers in the National League (winners of four consecutive Cy Young Awards from 2016-19) are each taking the mound today in West Palm Beach, Fla. Each has been stretched out enough so far this spring to be able to go at least five...
Orioles lineup vs. Twins
Orioles lineup vs. Twins
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Third baseman Maikel Franco is making his Orioles debut this afternoon, batting second against the Twins in Sarasota. Franco played in yesterday's intrasquad game and is ready to move up to the next spring level. Richie Martin also is in the lineup, as expected. He's playing second base in his debut while Yolmer Sánchez leads off and starts at shortstop. Pat Valaika is the first baseman, Stevie Wilkerson is in right field and Ryan McKenna is in center. Cedric Mullins, Austin Hays and...
This, that and the other
This, that and the other
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
While evaluating reliever Fernando Abad's spring training, Orioles manager Brandon Hyde must separate bad pitches from bad luck. Abad, trying to make the club as a non-roster invite, has appeared in five games and allowed five earned runs (eight total) and nine hits in 4 1/3 innings for a 10.38 ERA. He's walked two batters and struck out five. The defense behind him has been brutal in at least two of those games. Abad replaced Dean Kremer on Friday night after two errors were committed in the...
With nine days to go, another crack at a 26-man roster
With nine days to go, another crack at a 26-man roster
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
We have reached the stretch run of the spring. Yes, as of this morning, the Nationals have completed 31 days of camp. Only nine remain before everyone packs up shop in West Palm Beach, Fla., and heads north. There's still a lot that can and will change between now and then. And there are plenty of questions that still must be resolved. But the shape of the opening night roster seems to be taking more shape now. With the important caveat that several of these spots are far from locked up,...
After solid start, Nats must decide where Voth fits in
After solid start, Nats must decide where Voth fits in
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Nothing is official yet, of course, and there's still time for events to change, but at the moment it doesn't appear Austin Voth will be in the Nationals season-opening rotation. With Joe Ross looking healthy and comfortable pitching again after opting out of the 2020 campaign, the one job up for grabs this spring is close to being locked up. What, then, is to become of Voth? That's a question club officials must answer in the next week before camp ends and the team heads north. If they want...
Harvey's strong outing strengthens bid for rotation spot
Harvey's strong outing strengthens bid for rotation spot
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Matt Harvey looks like he's moving away from his uncertain status and toward a locker in the visiting clubhouse at Fenway Park. Harvey was signed by the Orioles to a minor league deal in order to compete for a job, not simply to get ready for opening day. A disastrous spring would have put him back on the market. The results keep getting better. Harvey held the Yankees to one run and hit - Gio Urshela's solo home run - over four innings in a 2-1 win at Ed Smith Stadium. Rule 5 pick Mac...
Matt Harvey on his strong outing against the Yankees
Matt Harvey on his strong outing against the Yankees
Steve Melewski
Orioles
After feeling he was making solid progress with his mechanics and in his work with the Orioles pitching coaches after his last start, right-hander Matt Harvey went out tonight and topped that performance. Five days ago he allowed five hits and two runs over four innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Tonight he allowed just one hit and one run - that on a solo homer - over four innings at Ed Smith Stadium against the New York Yankees. Harvey walked one and fanned two and the Yankees went just...