O's game blog: Looking to end losing streak in series finale
O's game blog: Looking to end losing streak in series finale
Steve Melewski
Orioles
With two losses this weekend at Boston and a riding 10-game losing streak, the Orioles are desperate for a win this afternoon at Fenway Park in the finale of this three-game series. The Orioles swept three from Boston at Fenway to begin the 2021 season, winning the games by a combined 18-5 score. But they have lost the first two games this weekend by a combined 24-3 score. Boston had 17 hits, bashed five homers and went 7-for-12 with runners in scoring position Saturday in pounding the Orioles...
Orioles add Abad and Wade to bullpen, plus lineups (updated)
Orioles add Abad and Wade to bullpen, plus lineups (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The expected bullpen changes came today, with the Orioles designating Adam Plutko for assignment and optioning Dusten Knight to Triple-A Norfolk. In their place, the Orioles selected the contracts of Konner Wade and veteran left-hander Fernando Abad from Norfolk. They made room on the 40-man roster by transferring left-hander Bruce Zimmermann to the 60-day injured list. Plutko allowed home runs in a club-record six relief appearances in a row. He posted a 6.71 ERA and 1.633 WHIP in 38...
How the eight players Nats traded are faring with new clubs
How the eight players Nats traded are faring with new clubs
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
More than two weeks have now passed since the craziest trade deadline in Nationals history. And that means all of the players involved in the club's sell-off have had ample time to start making a name for themselves with their new teams. Some have risen to the occasion and become instant fan favorites. Some are still trying to figure things out. Here's a look at the eight players the Nats traded away at the deadline, and how they're performing so far ... MAX SCHERZER The biggest name of them...
Corbin, Nats reach new depths in blowout loss (updated)
Corbin, Nats reach new depths in blowout loss (updated)
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
It's been 15 years since the Nationals last saw a pitcher do this. That is, pitch this poorly while remaining a member of the rotation for the bulk of a season. Way back in 2006, when Alfonso Soriano was chasing a 40-40 season, Frank Robinson was nearing the end of his managerial career and Ryan Zimmerman was trying to win National League Rookie of the Year, a journeyman right-hander named Ramón Ortiz slogged his way through the worst pitching season in Nats history. Ortiz led the National...
Could pitcher who began the season at Aberdeen end with Baltimore?
Could pitcher who began the season at Aberdeen end with Baltimore?
Steve Melewski
Orioles
Before the 2021 season, he had never pitched even as high as high Single-A. But it is possible that right-handed reliever Félix Bautista could end this season in the Orioles bullpen. Bautista, 26, from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, has been in the O's farm system since they signed him in August 2016. The Miami Marlins originally signed him out of the Dominican in November 2012, but released him in January 2015. Bautista throws a fastball that has touched 100 mph multiple times this...
Adding only two players in September expands challenges
Adding only two players in September expands challenges
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
The new rule in 2021 that September rosters expand to just 28 players creates another headache for baseball's front offices. As if more were needed. I never liked the idea of stuffing 40 players on a club for the final month and completely altering how the game is managed. The strategy of matching up is destroyed. Benches and bullpens are bursting at the seams. It just doesn't make sense. The sport shouldn't morph into something so unrecognizable while teams are trying to reach the...
Orioles allow season-high 16 runs in latest loss (updated)
Orioles allow season-high 16 runs in latest loss (updated)
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
If it really does start with starting pitching, as baseball folks preach, the Orioles really are having a rotten weekend in Boston. Spenser Watkins allowed six runs last night in four innings, the sweat making it harder to find his grip on the ball. Manager Brandon Hyde revealed earlier today that left-hander Bruce Zimmermann must remain on the injured list after spraining his ankle in a training mishap, which prohibits the rookie from joining the rotation on Sunday. Jorge López loaded the...
Nats claim reliever Murphy from Jays, release catcher Rivera
Nats claim reliever Murphy from Jays, release catcher Rivera
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
August waiver trades are a thing of the past, but teams still can still acquire players from other organizations under certain circumstances, and today the Nationals found a way to pick up another young pitcher who could potentially help them in their long-term plan to rebuild. The Nats claimed right-hander Patrick Murphy off waivers from the Blue Jays, taking a shot at a 26-year-old reliever with good minor league numbers this season but a penchant for struggling with his command during his...
Game 117 lineups: Nats vs. Braves
Game 117 lineups: Nats vs. Braves
Mark Zuckerman
Nationals
And we're back. If it feels like Friday night's game just ended, that's because it did. The Nationals and Braves find themselves in the unfortunate position of not only having just played a game that ended at 1:19 a.m. but having their next game scheduled to start at 6:05 p.m., an hour early to accommodate the planned postgame fireworks show. And, yes, it's important to remember that the fireworks remain planned for postgame tonight. In order for them to actually take place, this game will...
Zimmermann unable to start due to injury
Zimmermann unable to start due to injury
Roch Kubatko
Orioles
Orioles left-hander Bruce Zimmermann no longer is a candidate, and the overwhelming favorite, to make Sunday afternoon's start in Boston. Zimmermann was expected to be reinstated from the injured list, but an ankle sprain is keeping him off the active roster. Manager Brandon Hyde provided the surprising update in today's media Zoom call while also naming left-hander Keegan Akin as Sunday's starter to close out the series. "Bruce Zimmermann had a training accident," Hyde said. "He sprained...