AL East preview: Rays challenging Yankees for divisional supremacy
AL East preview: Rays challenging Yankees for divisional supremacy
Mel Antonen
Orioles
Projected finish: Rays, Yankees, Orioles, Blue Jays, Red Sox. The Yankees and Rays couldn't be more distant financially or historically. The Yankees' 2020 season will be considered a bust if they don't win their franchise's 28th World Series come October. The Rays have been to the World Series once, losing to Philadelphia in 2008. Just getting there again would be a dream. The Rays play in a domed stadium in St. Petersburg, Fla., that is usually more empty than full, even with a winning...
With 72 hours to go, Nats facing final roster decisions
With 72 hours to go, Nats facing final roster decisions
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
They've played only one exhibition game, but the Nationals have no choice but to start thinking seriously about finalizing their opening night roster, which must be submitted 72 hours from now. In some ways, this is a trickier proposition than it usually is, given the lack of time and lack of performance to make such player judgments. And yet in some ways it's also a simpler task than usual, because they're allowed to keep 30 players on the active roster for the season's first two...
Thomas Eshelman's latest solid pitch and other notes
Thomas Eshelman's latest solid pitch and other notes
Steve Melewski
Orioles
The Orioles could have some big decisions to make later today. They'll check on All-Star left-hander John Means and his availability to make the opening day start Friday night at Boston. Means was scratched from last night's start due to arm fatigue and a case of dead arm. But pitching in his place at Philadelphia, 26-year-old right-hander Thomas Eshelman, he of the 6.50 ERA last year, threw another solid outing. Between four games in the first spring training and three in the current summer...
Valdez and Herrera making surprising bids for opening day roster
Valdez and Herrera making surprising bids for opening day roster
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
One of the more startling developments of summer training camp beyond John Means' dead-arm period is the potential crashing of the opening day roster projection party. Who invited César Valdez and Dilson Herrera? It feels like they carpooled and brought their own keg. The odds of Valdez's making the trip to Boston for Friday night's opener were placed at a "hard no" back in March, if such a thing actually exists, as he worked out at the minor league complex in Twin Lakes Park. His five...
Wilkerson seeing hand specialist after leaving game with injury
Wilkerson seeing hand specialist after leaving game with injury
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Stevie Wilkerson's bid to break summer camp with the Orioles as one of their super-utility players was hurt tonight in Philadelphia. Wilkerson is going to see a hand specialist to determine the cause of the swelling in his left ring finger. He made a diving catch in the bottom of the second inning to rob the Phillies' Jean Segura and came out of the game. Manager Brandon Hyde provided the update on his Zoom conference call with the media following a 5-1 win at Citizens Bank Park. Wilkerson is...
Eshelman throws scoreless ball in win over Phillies
Eshelman throws scoreless ball in win over Phillies
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Thomas Eshelman might be making a late push for a rotation spot. Or if John Means can't make his first start, that could make room for right-hander Eshelman, who made a case for himself tonight in Philadelphia. Eshelman threw 4 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing four singles, as the Orioles beat the Phillies 5-1 at Citizens Bank Park. It is the first of three exhibitions for the Orioles ahead of their July 24 opener at Fenway Park in Boston. Eshelman actually made the last exhibition game start...
Updating Means, exhibition pitchers and more
Updating Means, exhibition pitchers and more
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles remain uncertain about John Means' status for opening day, though there's been improvement in the condition of his left arm. Manager Brandon Hyde said the club remains in day-to-day mode with Means. "He felt a lot better today," Hyde said during his Zoom conference call with the media. "Has done a lot of treatment today. We haven't made a decision on that yet, but obviously we need to do that here in the next couple days." The Orioles won't use a starter on short rest if...
Robles expects to be ready for opener, Suero rejoins camp
Robles expects to be ready for opener, Suero rejoins camp
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Victor Robles is convinced he'll be ready for opening night. The Nationals have four days to decide if they concur. Robles, who was cleared to participate in workouts Saturday for the first time this summer, said today that despite his lack of baseball activities while in quarantine, he expects to be good to go for the Nats' season opener against the Yankees. "Absolutely. I think I have the ability and the youth that helps me get ready quickly," the young center fielder said, via...
Orioles lineup vs. Phillies
Orioles lineup vs. Phillies
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles will play their first summer training camp exhibition game tonight with Austin Hays leading off and Pat Valaika handling the shortstop position at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. José Iglesias' exclusion from the lineup is the only surprise. He didn't play in last night's final intrasquad game and received treatment for a sore back earlier in camp. Hanser Alberto, who's been a presence at the top of the lineup in intrasquads, is lowered to sixth tonight. DJ Stewart is...
Still trying to find a way to get minor leaguers on the field
Still trying to find a way to get minor leaguers on the field
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Beyond the players that are in Bowie or Baltimore on the 60-man player pool, the Orioles would love to get some of their minor league players on the field in some way this year. The regular minor league season has been canceled, but the club is hoping there will still be a chance for players to work out and perhaps play intrasquad games. During a Zoom interview with reporters this morning, Orioles director of player development Matt Blood was asked if such a plan is in place. "Definitely...