Lineups: Nats vs. Marlins in Jupiter
Lineups: Nats vs. Marlins in Jupiter
Pete Kerzel
Nationals
Left-hander Patrick Corbin makes his first start of the spring today when the Nationals travel to Jupiter, Fla., to face the Marlins in a Grapefruit League game. Like most of the Nationals rotation, Corbin has been slow-played this spring, gradually building up arm strength and endurance in preparation for the regular season. Since it's his first outing, expect him to go no more than 30 pitches or two innings. Relievers Will Harris and Daniel Hudson also are expected to make his Grapefruit...
A slow start for the starters, plus MLB Network on the Orioles
A slow start for the starters, plus MLB Network on the Orioles
Steve Melewski
Orioles
With the understanding that it is way too soon to pass judgments and/or form opinions - and manager Brandon Hyde has told us he's not putting much weight on a pitcher's first outing - Orioles starters are not exactly rolling through opponents just yet. During the club's first six games and a 2-3-1 record so far in spring, O's starting pitchers have been scored on in five of the six games. Their starters also were scored on in the first inning in five of the six games. The rotation ERA is...
Digging deeper into some remaining business in camp
Digging deeper into some remaining business in camp
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The business beyond evaluating players in exhibition games, organizing workouts and keeping everyone safe includes daily checks of the free agent market and discussing how to set up the alternate camp site and how to fill it. The Orioles haven't dismissed the idea of adding to their spring training roster, with pitching always a priority, but they are shifting their focus to the waiver wire as cuts are made in the coming weeks and tracking which minor leaguers have opt-out clauses in their...
Reviewing Harvey's start, Mountcastle's homer and a 13-4 loss
Reviewing Harvey's start, Mountcastle's homer and a 13-4 loss
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The contract was signed and workouts monitored. The ball was handed to him today in Dunedin, Fla. But Matt Harvey wouldn't really fit in with the Orioles until he faced Blue Jays outfielder Randal Grichuk. Now he's truly a member of the club. Making his debut appearance, Harvey loaded the bases in the first inning and Grichuk drove in two runs with a double in Toronto's 13-4 win in Dunedin. Pat Valaika and Ryan Mountcastle homered for the Orioles, who are 2-3-1. Catcher Nick Ciuffo drove in...
Lester has surgery, Armenteros shut down with sore arm
Lester has surgery, Armenteros shut down with sore arm
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Jon Lester underwent thyroid removal surgery today in New York and was recovering this afternoon, according to Nationals manager Davey Martinez. Martinez said the club was still waiting to hear from doctors for more details about Lester's procedure, which was scheduled two days ago after the veteran left-hander and cancer survivor reported feeling tired, prompting medical tests that concluded his thyroid gland should be removed. "The only thing that came out of it was that's he's...
Lineups: Nats vs. Cardinals in West Palm Beach
Lineups: Nats vs. Cardinals in West Palm Beach
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Max Scherzer is on the mound tonight for the Nationals, so all is right with the world. At least, as right as is possible these days. The ace right-hander, who sprained his left ankle about two weeks before pitchers and catchers reported to West Palm Beach, Fla., has overcome the injury and built his arm back up to be able to pitch tonight against the Cardinals. In the end, he's actually the first member of the Nationals' projected opening day rotation to start a game this spring. Scherzer is...
Lowther soaking in camp experience
Lowther soaking in camp experience
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Confidence isn't running in short supply for Zac Lowther. He didn't pitch in 2019 because COVID-19 forced the cancellation of the minor league season. He hasn't faced hitters above the Double-A level. Every projection for this summer places him at Triple-A Norfolk, where he'll be playing the waiting game between starts. But ask Lowther how close he is to being a major league pitcher and the answer comes firmly and without hesitation. But also not cocky in nature. "I feel like I'm there....
Orioles lineup vs. Blue Jays
Orioles lineup vs. Blue Jays
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Tyler Nevin gets the start at first base and Brett Cumberland is the designated hitter for today's game against the Blue Jays in Dunedin, Fla. Ramón Urias is making back-to-back starts, being a late replacement for Freddy Galvis at shortstop yesterday and starting at second base today. Galvis remains day-to-day with a sore hip. Pat Valaika is the shortstop today. Ryan Mountcastle is in left field and Austin Hays is in center. First baseman Chris Davis remains out of the lineup with a...
Robles walking, Zimmerman homering, Scherzer starts tonight
Robles walking, Zimmerman homering, Scherzer starts tonight
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
The highlight of the Nationals' 8-4 loss to the Mets on Thursday in Port St. Lucie, Fla., was the Grapefruit League debuts of first-round picks Cade Cavalli and Jackson Rutledge. But there were other notable developments to come out of the game, so let's run through some of those this morning ... * Victor Robles is getting on base out of the leadoff spot without getting hits. The young center fielder has started three games so far and has served as the leadoff hitter in all three. And though...
Getting the Bowie band back together in Sarasota
Getting the Bowie band back together in Sarasota
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The 2019 Double-A Bowie Baysox had a terrible start to their season. On May 6, they were 7-23, not only the worst record in the Eastern League at that point, but the worst in any league in all of minor league baseball. But a few months later that club would play for the Eastern League championship. They went 69-41 after the terrible start to win their division and make the EL playoffs. A semi-finals playoff win, three games to one over Harrisburg, sent Bowie to the EL Championship Series for...