Nats agree to terms with 23 players from First-Year Player Draft

Nats agree to terms with 23 players from First-Year Player Draft
The Nationals announced this afternoon that they have agreed to terms with 23 players selected in the recent First-Year Player Draft, including first-round selection Carter Kieboom, the 28th overall pick in the first round. Kieboom, an 18-year-old shortstop out of Walton (Ga.) High School who had committed to Clemson, will begin his career in the Nats' Rookie-level Gulf Coast League affiliate in Viera, Fla. Kieboom was considered one of the top prep hitters available in the draft, and hit .366...

Orioles make three roster moves

Orioles make three roster moves
The Orioles today announced that they have reinstated right-hander Yovani Gallardo and infielder J.J. Hardy from the 15-day disabled list and optioned left-hander T.J. McFarland to Triple-A Norfolk. Gallardo, 30, was placed on the 15-day disabled list on April 23 with right shoulder bicep tendinitis. He made three rehabilitation starts between Class A-Advanced Frederick and Triple-A Norfolk, going 1-0 with a 4.85 ERA (7 ER/13.0 IP) over the three games. In two rehab starts with the Tides,...

Orioles option Mike Wright to Triple-A Norfolk

Orioles option Mike Wright to Triple-A Norfolk
The Orioles tonight announced that they have optioned right-hander Mike Wright to Triple-A Norfolk. Wright, 26, went 3-4 with a 6.12 ERA (44 ER/64.2 IP) over 13 games (12 starts) with the Orioles this season. He started tonight's game vs. Toronto, suffering the loss after surrendering eight earned runs on six hits over 3.2 innings. In 25 career Major League games (21 starts), Wright went 6-9 with a 6.09 ERA (74 ER/109.1 IP).

Orioles agree to terms with first-round draft selection Cody Sedlock

Orioles agree to terms with first-round draft selection Cody Sedlock
The Orioles today announced that they have agreed to terms with their first-round selection of the 2016 First-Year Player Draft, right-hander Cody Sedlock, from the University of Illinois. Sedlock was selected with the 27th overall pick in the first round of the 2016 First-Year Player Draft. Sedlock, 20, went 10-6 with a 2.96 ERA (54 ER/164.1 IP) and 175 strikeouts in 47 games (19 starts) over three seasons with the University of Illinois. In 14 starts this season with the Illini, Sedlock...

Chris Davis named race ambassador for Casey Cares Foundation 5K run/walk at Oriole Park

Chris Davis named race ambassador for Casey Cares Foundation 5K run/walk at Oriole Park
Orioles first baseman Chris Davis will serve as race ambassador for the seventh annual Casey Cares 5K Run/Walk at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Saturday, August 6, as the Orioles and OriolesREACH once again partner with the Casey Cares Foundation to host the race. "We thank the Orioles for again serving as an integral partner of Casey Cares this season," Casey Baynes, the Executive Director of the Casey Cares Foundation said. "Last year, with the support of the Birds, Casey Cares was able...

Opposite dugout: Padres stuck in NL West cellar, may soon be sellers

Opposite dugout: Padres stuck in NL West cellar, may soon be sellers
Manager: Andy Green (1st season) Record: 27-40 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: 1B Wil Myers (.281 with 14 HR, 39 RBIs), RF Matt Kemp (15 HR, 43 RBIs), CF Melvin Upton Jr. (9 HR, 30 RBIS, 13 SB), LHP Christian Freidrich (3-1, 2.12 ERA), LHP Drew Pomeranz (57, 2.88 ERA), RHP Fernando Rodney (13 saves, 0.00 ERA) Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (2-5 in 2015) Pitching probables: June 16: RHP Tanner Roark vs. RHP Erik Johnson, 10:10 p.m., MASN2 June 17: RHP Joe Ross vs. LHP Christian...

Nominations sought online for Birdland Community Heroes

Nominations sought online for Birdland Community Heroes
Do you know someone who deserves recognition for their tireless efforts to make their community a better place to live? If so, the Orioles want you to nominate them as a Birdland Community Hero. The process couldn't be easier - it's all online right here. Just tell the Orioles why - in 200 words or less - someone deserves the acknowledgement. Nominations will be accepted until 9:59 a.m. on Sept. 2. The Birdland Community Heroes program honors community heroes who inspire up through their...

Orioles recall Despaigne from Triple-A, place Worley on DL

Orioles recall Despaigne from Triple-A, place Worley on DL
The Orioles today announced that they have recalled right-hander Odrisamer Despaigne (pronounced oh-DREE-sah-mer deh-SPAWN-yay) from Triple-A Norfolk and placed right-hander Vance Worley on the 15-day disabled list with a right groin strain (retroactive to June 13). Despaigne, 29, pitched to a 3.59 ERA (25 ER/62.2 IP) with 53 strikeouts over 12 starts with the Tides this season. In six starts since May 20, he posted a 2.20 ERA (8 ER/32.2 IP) with four Quality Starts, 28 strikeouts, and held...

Nationals activate Belisle, place Papelbon on DL

Nationals activate Belisle, place Papelbon on DL
The Washington Nationals returned from rehab and reinstated right-handed pitcher Matt Belisle on Tuesday, and placed right-handed pitcher Jonathan Papelbon on the 15-day disabled list (retroactive to June 13) with a right intercostal strain. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Belisle, 36, rejoins the Nationals after missing 45 games with a right calf strain. A right-handed reliever, Belisle racked up 11.0 innings on rehab...

Dream Gala nets more than $400,000 for Nationals Dream Foundation

Dream Gala nets more than $400,000 for Nationals Dream Foundation
Saturday night at the Marriott Marquis Washington, D.C., the Washington Nationals Dream Foundation highlighted its community contributions at the 11th annual Dream Gala. As the primary fundraiser for the Dream Foundation, the 2016 Dream Gala netted more than $400,000 for the Foundation's initiatives focused on academics, the arts, nutrition, and sports for children and teens in the Washington, D.C. region. The Dream Gala featured a cocktail reception and silent auction, a dinner program and a...

Nationals conclude 2016 First-Year Player Draft

Nationals conclude 2016 First-Year Player Draft
The Washington Nationals concluded Major League Baseball's 2016 First-Year Player Draft by selecting 30 players on Saturday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations & General Manager Mike Rizzo and Assistant General Manager & Vice President of Scouting Operations Kris Kline made the joint announcement. Over three days of the Draft, the Nationals selected a total of 41 players: 12 right-handed pitchers, eight left-handed pitchers, six outfielders, 10 infielders and five catchers. Of...

Orioles complete 2016 draft with 30 selections

Orioles complete 2016 draft with 30 selections
The Orioles made 30 selections on Day Three of the 2016 First-Year Player Draft today, completing rounds 11-40. This year, the Orioles selected 41 players overall, 27 pitchers and 14 position players, with 31 of the selections being college athletes. The Orioles selected 15 right-handed pitchers, 12 left-handed pitchers, nine infielders, and five outfielders.

Nationals select eight players on second day of First-Year Player Draft

Nationals select eight players on second day of First-Year Player Draft
The Washington Nationals selected eight players on the second day of Major League Baseball's 2016 First-Year Player Draft. Nationals President of Baseball Operations & General Manager Mike Rizzo and Assistant General Manager & Vice President of Scouting Operations Kris Kline made the joint announcement. The Nationals kicked off Friday's action by selecting prep left-handed pitcher Jesus Luzardo out of Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., in the third round. Luzardo is rated as...

Opposite dugout: Blue Jays not quite an offensive juggernaut and bullpen is struggling

Opposite dugout: Blue Jays not quite an offensive juggernaut and bullpen is struggling
Manager: John Gibbons (9th season) Record: 32-29 Last 10 games: 6-4 Who to watch: LF Michael Saunders (.290/.372/.523 with 9 HR, 19 RBIs), LF Ezekiel Carrera (.344), 3B Josh Donaldson (14 HR, 33 RBIs), 1B/DH Edwin Encarnacion (12 HR, 46 RBIs), RF Jose Bautista (12 HR, 39 RBIs), LHP J.A. Happ (6-3, 3.57 ERA), RHP Aaron Sanchez (5-1, 2.91 ERA), RHP Roberto Osuna (1.65 ERA, 13 saves) Season series vs. Orioles: 1-2 Pitching probables: June 9: RHP Tyler Wilson vs. RHP Marcus Stroman, 7:07 p.m.,...

Opposite dugout: Royals dealing with injuries, but still pose a challenge

Opposite dugout: Royals dealing with injuries, but still pose a challenge
Manager: Ned Yost (7th season) Record: 30-26 Last 10 games: 4-6 Who to watch: 1B Eric Hosmer (.321 with 10 HR, 35 RBIs), CF Lorenzo Cain (.297 with 8 HR, 34 RBIs), C Salvador Perez (7 HR, 29 RBIs), RF Paulo Orlando (.333), RHP Wade Davis (0.89 ERA, 16 saves)Season series vs. Orioles: 2-1 Pitching probables: June 6: LHP Danny Duffy vs. RHP Mike Wright, 7:05 p.m., MASNJune 7: RHP Yordano Ventura vs. RHP Ubaldo Jimenez, 7:05 p.m. MASNJune 8: RHP Edinson Volquez vs. RHP Chris Tillman, 7:05 p.m.,...

Orioles place O'Day on DL, recall Wright from Triple-A Norfolk

Orioles place O'Day on DL, recall Wright from Triple-A Norfolk
The Orioles today announced that they have recalled right-hander Mike Wright from Triple-A Norfolk and placed right-hander Darren O'Day on the 15-day disabled list with a right hamstring strain. Wright, 26, has gone 2-3 with a 5.88 ERA (32 ER/49.0 IP) and 36 strikeouts over 10 games (nine starts) for the Orioles this season. In 22 career Major League games (18 starts), he has gone 5-8 with a 5.96 ERA (62 ER/93.2 IP) and 62 strikeouts. Wright was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on June 2. ...

Nationals recall Trea Turner, place Ryan Zimmerman on paternity list

Nationals recall Trea Turner, place Ryan Zimmerman on paternity list
The Nationals recalled infielder Trea Turner from Triple-A Syracuse on Friday and placed first baseman Ryan Zimmerman on the Paternity List. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Turner, 22, joins the Nationals for his first Major League assignment of the season. The Nationals' No. 2 prospect, according to Baseball America, and the No. 9 prospect in all of baseball entering the 2016 season, Turner earned his second MLB call-up by...

Jim, Steve Gorman return to Camden Yards to raise awareness, funds for Multiple System Atrophy

Jim, Steve Gorman return to Camden Yards to raise awareness, funds for Multiple System Atrophy
For as long as Steve Gorman can remember, baseball has provided a connection to his older brother Jim. When Steve moved from Baltimore to Kentucky in 1975, he kept up with his beloved Orioles through day-old box scores in the local newspaper. When the Orioles would make an appearance on national television, the phone rang and Jim would tell Steve to watch for him on the broadcast. Jim, the first white player to play basketball at Morgan State, had a penchant for finding the camera and making...

Orioles recall McFarland, option Tolliver to Triple-A Norfolk

Orioles recall McFarland, option Tolliver to Triple-A Norfolk
The Orioles today announced that they have recalled left-hander T.J. McFarland from Triple-A Norfolk and optioned left-hander Ashur Tolliver to Triple-A Norfolk. McFarland, 26, went 1-1 with a 1.69 ERA (3 ER/16.0 IP) in four appearances (three starts) with the Tides after being optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on May 7. McFarland made the Orioles Opening Day roster and has gone 0-1 with a 4.73 ERA (7 ER/13.1 IP) over eight relief appearances this season. Tolliver, 28, pitched to a 6.75 ERA (3...

Orioles place Caleb Joseph on DL, recall Francisco Pena

Orioles place Caleb Joseph on DL, recall Francisco Pena
The Orioles today announced that they have recalled catcher Francisco Pena from Triple-A Norfolk and placed catcher Caleb Joseph on the 15-day disabled list with a testicular injury suffered in the May 30 game vs. Boston. Peña, 26, batted .200/.241/.250 (16-for-80) with two doubles, a triple, and six RBI in 24 games with Triple-A Norfolk this season. He hit safely in five of his last six games with the Tides, batting .353/.421/.353 (6-for-17) in that span. Over 808 career minor league...