Bautista won't need to battle for bullpen role in 2023
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Félix Bautista didn’t know whether the Orioles would put him on the 40-man roster to protect him from a 2021 Rule 5 draft that never happened. He didn’t know whether he’d break camp with the team. So many uncertainties that have been shed like unwanted pounds. Bautista became a dominant set-up man and closer as a 27-year-old rookie, and one of the
DL Hall excited to make his pitch for a rotation spot
Steve Melewski
Orioles
He is the pride of Valdosta, Ga., and now has his own Orioles-produced short film to prove that. He was the 21st overall player selected in the 2017 MLB Draft. He can throw a fastball 100 miles per hour and his name has been consistently on top 100 lists, most of them, since his draft day. But Dayton Layne Hall, known better as DL, still has some d
Candidates to make MLB debuts this year for Nats
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
Fifty-five players appeared in a game for the Nationals last season, and six of them made their major league debuts in the process. At least one of those debuts, by Cade Cavalli, was both expected and promoted. The others, though, came as something of a surprise, whether it was Lucius Fox making the Opening Day roster, Jackson Tetreault and Evan Le
Hays aims to stay healthy and keep hitting throughout the season
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Orioles outfielder Austin Hays takes pride in his ability to field anything that comes his way. Or anyone. Hays was pouring beers at Crooked Crab Brewing Company in Odenton on Sunday, the Birdland Caravan’s final stop of the weekend, when a woman passed her 5-month-old daughter across the bar. An adorable and safe photo opportunity, with the baby s
Jackson Holliday heads to early camp to continue winter work with coaches
Steve Melewski
Orioles
It began yesterday and will run right up until the start of the Orioles major league spring training. Five of their top hitting prospects, none that have seen the majors just yet, will take part in an early hitting camp at Ed Smith Stadium. It will run through Feb. 14 in Sarasota. It will allow the young talent to be seen by manager Brandon Hyde an
strasburg w trainer blue
Nats' Opening Day payroll may not reach $100 million
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
There’s still time for things to change – for the team to sign another player or two, for others to make the club off minor-league deals, for someone to get hurt – but with eight days to go until pitchers and catchers report to spring training, we have a pretty good idea what the Nationals’ payroll is going to look like this season. What it’s going
Orioles pitching picture more cloudy after caravan (and other notes)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Players are heading down to Sarasota ahead of the designated report dates for spring training, and not just the five hitting prospects attending the development camp that began yesterday. Gunnar Henderson’s flight landed two days ago. The five Orioles participating in the World Baseball Classic – outfielders Cedric Mullins and Anthony Santander, pi
Orioles prospects working out at development camp
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The Orioles began their latest development camp this morning at the Ed Smith Stadium complex, with five of their top prospects working out until Feb. 14. Outfielders Colton Cowser and Heston Kjerstad and infielders Jackson Holliday, Coby Mayo and Connor Norby are spring training invites receiving an opportunity to meet early with the major league s
Nats avoid arbitration with Robles, add club option for 2024
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
For the second straight year, the Nationals and Victor Robles filed for arbitration. And for the second straight year, they ultimately avoided an actual arbitration hearing, agreeing to a salary figure before reaching the courtroom. The Nats announced today they settled with Robles on a one-year contract for 2023, while also agreeing to a club opti
Adley Rutschman on trying to follow up his strong rookie year, plus other O's notes
Steve Melewski
Orioles
O’s catcher Adley Rutschman said the fans at Birdland Caravan this weekend brought “an energy and a buzz” that was great for the players to see. The fans might say the same about their catcher. Rutschman’s 2022 season began with him on the injured list but ended with him on American League MVP lists. He finished 12th in voting for the MVP after fin