Manager Brandon Hyde on flurry of roster moves (game update)
Manager Brandon Hyde on flurry of roster moves (game update)
Steve Melewski
Orioles
ANAHEIM, Calif. - The Orioles made a series of roster moves in the final 80 minutes before gametime tonight, which included All-Star lefty John Means going to the 10-day injured list. But the Orioles fully expect Means back after his 10-day IL stay is up and their concern level right now is low. But manager Brandon Hyde said he did not yet know what he will do to replace Means in the rotation with the news fresh today. The rundown of the moves: * Placed Means on the 10-day injured list...
Children's National Medical Center visit by umpires was a good call
Children's National Medical Center visit by umpires was a good call
Pete Kerzel
Nationals
The men in blue made a few new friends on Tuesday, before donning their usual garb and taking the field at Nationals Park for a game between the Rockies and Nationals. The four-man crew assigned to the four-game series - Jerry Meals, Ron Kulpa, Gabe Morales and John Libka - took time out of their schedules to visit patients at Children's Nationals Medical Center and their families as part of the UMPS CARE Charities BLUE for Kids program. Instead of balls and strikes, safe or out, fair or foul,...
Rutschman update, new relievers and lineup (updated with moves)
Rutschman update, new relievers and lineup (updated with moves)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles announced today that catcher Adley Rutschman is joining short-season Single-A Aberdeen on Saturday, as reported earlier this week. There's your confirmation. Rutschman caught today and went 0-for-3 with an RBI, walk and throwing error. He's 3-for-14 with a home run, three RBIs and a stolen base in five Rookie-level Gulf Coast League games. The IronBirds are hosting Hudson Valley at Ripken Stadium, with first pitch Saturday at 6:05 p.m. The Orioles haven't announced their roster...
Nationals not ready to embrace computer-generated strike zone
Nationals not ready to embrace computer-generated strike zone
Mel Antonen
Nationals
The Atlantic League, an independent baseball league that has a three-year contract with Major League Baseball to experiment with new ideas, says that the computer-generated strike zone has been so successful, the system will be used the rest of the season. The computerized system, called the Automated Ball-Strike System (ABS), will be used in the eight-team league, which includes the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs in Waldorf. The technology will debut there Aug. 2. The league used it for its...
Muscle strain leaves Scherzer's status up in the air
Muscle strain leaves Scherzer's status up in the air
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Though he felt fine in the immediate aftermath of Thursday's start against the Rockies, Max Scherzer cautioned all along he wouldn't know he was in the clear from his lingering back injury until he saw how he felt after he woke up today. So when Scherzer arose this morning and felt tightness in his upper back, he was frustrated but not surprised. And now the Nationals ace again faces uncertain status for his next start. Scherzer had an MRI taken earlier today, and that test revealed what he...
With bullpen tired, Barraclough is back (Nats fall 4-2)
With bullpen tired, Barraclough is back (Nats fall 4-2)
Byron Kerr
Nationals
The Nationals have recalled right-hander Kyle Barraclough from the injured list and have sent outfielder Andrew Stevenson back to Triple-A Fresno. Barraclough had been rehabbing at Double-A Harrisburg. "He's had some good outings and at this point, with three games in two days, we feel like we need another bullpen arm so we chose Barraclough," said Nationals manager Davey Martinez. The 29-year-old Barraclough pitched in five games for the Senators, accumulating four scoreless appearances. He...
O's game blog: Wojciechowski faces Angels in Game 2
O's game blog: Wojciechowski faces Angels in Game 2
Steve Melewski
Orioles
ANAHEIM, Calif. - After needing 6 hours, 19 minutes for a16-inning win Thursday and into Friday, the Orioles and Angels are back tonight for Game 2 of this four-game series. With their wild 10-8 win, the Orioles improved to 33-69. They are 5-3 over the last eight games, 6-7 since the All-Star Game and 11-11 their past 22 games. They are 2-2 on this trip and 18-33 for the season on the road. Baltimore snapped the Angels' four-game win streak. Los Angeles is 54-50 overall, 27-24 at home, 12-7 in...
Nationals recall Kyle Barraclough
Nationals recall Kyle Barraclough
Doug Miller
Nationals
The Washington Nationals recalled right-handed pitcher Kyle Barraclough from Double-A Harrisburg and optioned outfielder Andrew Stevenson to Triple-A Fresno on Friday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Barraclough, 29, returns to the Nationals after posting a 2.70 ERA (2 ER/6.2 IP) with eight strikeouts in five games for the Harrisburg Senators. Barraclough tossed scoreless relief in four of the five outings. Opposing batters went...
A look at the O's rise in the Baseball America organization rankings
A look at the O's rise in the Baseball America organization rankings
Steve Melewski
Orioles
ANAHEIM, Calif. - When Baseball America released its mid-season organization rankings of talent in the various farm systems in Major League Baseball on Thursday, there was a surprise entrant into the top 10. It was the Orioles at No. 8. They made a huge leap forward from their No. 22 winter ranking. This marks the first time that the Orioles have ranked in the publication's Top 10 since entering the 2010 season, when they also ranked No. 8. The O's also ranked No. 8 when entering the 1994 and...
Game 103 lineups: Nats vs. Dodgers
Game 103 lineups: Nats vs. Dodgers
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
And now begins the toughest portion of the Nationals' schedule. They've been able to feast on some struggling teams (Marlins, Tigers, Royals, Orioles, Rockies) in recent weeks, but now the Nats have back-to-back series against the National League's top two teams to date this season: the Dodgers and Braves. Next week's series vs. Atlanta means more in the grand scheme of things, but that doesn't mean the Nationals can gloss over this weekend set with the 30-games-over-.500 Dodgers, who have...