Notes on Davis, upcoming starters, Valdez and more
Notes on Davis, upcoming starters, Valdez and more
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Chris Davis is day-to-day with a lower back strain, explaining his absence in today's lineup against the Yankees. Apparently, it's health-related rather than the Orioles facing left-hander Jordan Montgomery. Manager Brandon Hyde said Davis sustained the injury during his last at-bat in Sunday's exhibition opener against the Pirates. Davis struck out earlier and left the game after two plate appearances. "He felt it tug on him a little bit on the fly ball to right," Hyde said during his...
Orioles lineup vs. Yankees
Orioles lineup vs. Yankees
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Trey Mancini is the Orioles designated hitter for today's game against the Yankees at Ed Smith Stadium. Mancini is going to alternate between first base and DH, with day off in between. Cedric Mullins is back in center field and atop the order. Yusniel Diaz is back in left field after homering in Sunday's opener against the Pirates. Stevie Wilkerson gets the start at first base and Ramón Urías is the third baseman. Chris Davis is on the bench today after serving as the designated hitter...
Voth sees improvement in one-inning debut
Voth sees improvement in one-inning debut
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
There wasn't much for Austin Voth to hang his hat on in 2020, and he'd be the first to admit it. The right-hander endured through a pretty miserable summer, which at one point included an 0-5 record and an 8.26 ERA. But sometimes all it takes is one positive moment to lift a downtrodden athlete's spirit. Like that one gorgeous drive a hack golfer hits off the 18th tee at the end of an otherwise awful round, one solid outing for a pitcher at season's end can do wonders for his confidence. So...
Divvying up the players in camp
Divvying up the players in camp
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles' spring training camp is divided into categories, and the lines between them aren't blurred. Outfielder DJ Stewart, who launched a two-run homer yesterday in Clearwater, Fla., is in the group of players likely to make the club and simply trying to avoid giving it reasons to resist. Starter Jorge López allowed two runs and five hits in two innings. The best part of his day was being able to come back out for the second. López is vying for a spot in the rotation, but he's out...
Means on the O's players "looking to make a statement"
Means on the O's players "looking to make a statement"
Steve Melewski
Orioles
When last we saw Orioles lefty John Means, he was giving up just one run and one hit with nine strikeouts in six innings late last September against the Toronto Blue Jays. It was part of stunning finish to his season. Over his last four starts, Means went 2-1 with a 1.52 ERA, a .488 OPS against and a 0.63 WHIP. He did that against teams that all ranked in the top 13 in team OPS in the majors, facing the Mets, Yankees, Rays and Blue Jays. Today, Means makes his 2021 Grapefruit League debut as...
Zimmerman homers, feels good in first game in a year
Zimmerman homers, feels good in first game in a year
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Three hundred fifty-six days had passed since Ryan Zimmerman last took the field for an organized game of baseball. The world was a lot different back on March 10, 2020, when the Nationals faced the Marlins in Jupiter, Fla. Though the coronavirus was in the news, nobody imagined it would have the power to shut down the entire country two days later. So much has happened since then, and so much has changed. Yet when he trotted out to first base just after 1 p.m. today in West Palm Beach for the...
Stewart stands out in 4-4 tie with Phillies
Stewart stands out in 4-4 tie with Phillies
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Yesterday's exhibition opener felt more like an orange carpet event marking the latest inspiring achievement in Trey Mancini's comeback from colon cancer surgery. Today's game against the Phillies in Clearwater, Fla., which ended in a 4-4 tie after seven innings, placed the spotlight on a former first-round draft pick and a couple of Rule 5 selections. Less emotion, for sure, but an important day for evaluating talent. DJ Stewart said he's more of a "line drive, base hit guy," but he...
Orioles name Katie Krause Director of Public Relations
Orioles name Katie Krause Director of Public Relations
Pete Kerzel
Orioles
The Orioles today announced that Katie Karuse has joined the organization as Director, Public Relations. Krause will oversee the day-to-day operations of the Orioles' Public Relations department and generate creative opportunities to publicize the club's efforts on the field and in the community. She will begin her duties today, reporting directly to Jennifer Grondahl, Senior Vice President, Community Development and Communications. The 2021 season will mark Krause's 10th in professional...
DJ Stewart homers as O's and Phillies play to a 4-4 tie
DJ Stewart homers as O's and Phillies play to a 4-4 tie
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Orioles outfielder DJ Stewart hit a two-run homer in the first inning today. It provided half of the O's runs as they played to a 4-4 tie in seven innings against the Philadelphia Phillies in Clearwater, Fla. The Orioles, who are 0-1-1, host the Yankees in Sarasota tomorrow with John Means scheduled to start. Baltimore took a 2-0 lead on Stewart's blast to right field. Austin Hays led off the game with a line single to center and scored ahead of Stewart's homer. It came on a 2-2 pitch off an...
Soto's spring debut delayed by foul ball off the foot
Soto's spring debut delayed by foul ball off the foot
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Juan Soto was all set to make his 2021 spring debut today in the Nationals' home opener in West Palm Beach, Fla. Then an errant foul ball foiled those plans and delayed the slugger's debut for at least a couple of days. Soto fouled a ball off his right foot during a live batting practice session Sunday, manager Davey Martinez said. Though the Nationals aren't considering this a serious injury, they didn't want to risk putting their young star on the field today, a full month before the...