Pete Kerzel

Orioles sign free agent outfielder Francisco Peguero

December 07, 2013, 5:02am

Orioles

The Orioles today announced that they have signed free agent outfielder Francisco Peguero to a one-year contract. Peguero, 25, spent the majority of the 2013 season with Triple-A Fresno in the San Francisco organization, batting .316/.354/.408 in 70 games. He also appeared in 18 major league games, going 6-for-29 with his first big league home run. In eight minor league seasons in the San Francisco organization, Peguero is a career .306/.337/.427 hitter in 690 games. He has appeared in 35...

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LaRoche to participate in 2013 USO Holiday Tour

December 06, 2013, 5:01am

Nationals

LaRoche to participate in 2013 USO Holiday Tour

Washington Nationals first baseman Adam LaRoche will take part in the 2013 USO Holiday Tour led by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey. Joining him will be Grammy award winning singer/songwriter Bridget Kelly, former New England Patriots offensive tackle and three-time Super Bowl champion Matt Light, actor/comedian Thomas "Nephew Tommy" Miles, stars of A&E's hit reality show "Duck Dynasty" Jep and Willie Robertson and former correspondent on NBC's "The Voice"...

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Nationals launch "Week of Giving" initiative

December 04, 2013, 10:21am

Nationals

In an effort to spread holiday cheer throughout the D.C. region, the Washington Nationals will participate in a series of community events that make up the team's "Week of Giving" beginning next Monday, December 9 through Saturday, December 14. During the week, Nationals players and front office staff will partake in activities aimed at giving back to the local community while celebrating the spirit of the holidays. To start off the week of events, Nationals pitcher Ross Detwiler* and...

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O's to host youth baseball tournament, Toys for Tots collection in Sarasota this weekend

December 03, 2013, 7:58am

Orioles

O's to host youth baseball tournament, Toys for Tots collection in Sarasota this weekend

With the holiday season underway, the Orioles will host a youth baseball tournament and help a worthy cause this Saturday, December 7. The Orioles invite Sarasota area residents to bring a new, unwrapped toy for donation to the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program to the Buck O'Neil Baseball Complex in Twin Lakes Park anytime between 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m., then stay to watch games played as part of the Suncoast Travel Ball's Toys for Tots Baseball Tournament. Donated toys will be...

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Nationals acquire Fister from Tigers in four-player swap

December 02, 2013, 3:35pm

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today acquired right-handed starting pitcher Doug Fister from the Tigers in exchange for infielder Steve Lombardozzi, left-handed pitcher Ian Krol and minor-league left-handed pitcher Robbie Ray. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. In 33 games/32 starts in 2013, the 29-year-old went 14-9 with a 3.67 ERA and ranked among American League leaders in GDPs induced (tied first, 26), home runs allowed per 9.0...

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Orioles acquire catcher Johnny Monell from Giants

November 30, 2013, 3:01pm

Orioles

The Orioles today announced that they have acquired catcher Johnny Monell from the San Francisco Giants in exchange for cash considerations. Monell, 27, batted .275/.364/.494 (114-415) with 20 homers and 64 RBI in 121 games for Triple-A Fresno in 2013. He appeared in eight games for the Giants in 2013, batting .125/.222/.125 (1-8) with one RBI. In his seven minor league campaigns in the Giants organization, Monell batted .267/.351/.456 (569-2131) with 77 homers and 332 RBI in 641 games. He...

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Lo Duca on Hall of Fame ballot for first time, Raines again faces uphill battle

November 26, 2013, 9:37am

Nationals

Lo Duca on Hall of Fame ballot for first time, Raines again faces uphill battle

Another Hall of Fame ballot, another smattering of former Nationals and Expos who will likely be on the outside looking in when results of balloting of Baseball Writers' Association of America members is announced Jan. 8. Among the 19 new candidates, there is only one ex-National: catcher Paul Lo Duca, who played 46 games in a Washington uniform in 2008 before being released. Lo Duca, a .286 hitter in 11 major league seasons, batted only .230 with 12 RBIs for the Nats. There are still some...

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Nationals acquire outfielder Wooten from A's

November 25, 2013, 11:07am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today acquired outfielder John Wooten from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for left-handed pitcher Fernando Abad. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. A 6-foot-3, 190-pound right-handed hitter, Wooten spent the 2013 season playing primarily in right field for Single-A Beloit (Midwest League). There, he hit .257 with a .333 on-base percentage and a .430 slugging percentage, clubbing 20 home runs and 22...

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Orioles claim Phelps off waivers from Indians

November 25, 2013, 9:38am

Orioles

The Orioles today announced that they have claimed infielder Cord Phelps off waivers from the Cleveland Indians. Phelps, 26, appeared in 53 games for Cleveland over the last three seasons, batting .159/.221/.248 (18-113) with two homers and 11 RBI. He saw action at second base, third base and shortstop for the Indians. In 2013, the switch-hitter batted .267/.333/.443 (68-255) with nine homers and 46 RBI in 65 games for Triple-A Columbus and appeared in four games for Cleveland, where he was...

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Baseball historian discovers photograph showing long-gone Maryland Park, Westport Baseball Grounds site

November 25, 2013, 8:43am

Orioles

Baseball historian discovers photograph showing long-gone Maryland Park, Westport Baseball Grounds site

Baltimore baseball historians take note: A new discovery has unearthed a previously unknown photograph that details the exact location of Maryland Baseball Park, former home of the Baltimore Black Sox of the Negro Leagues. Research by University of Delaware associate professor of English Bernard McKenna, a Baltimore baseball historian, uncovered the groundbreaking 1927 aerial photograph, which shows Maryland Park's location on Russell Street, several blocks south of where M&T Bank Stadium now...

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Orioles obtain reliever Brach from Padres

November 25, 2013, 7:22am

Orioles

The Orioles today announced that they have acquired right-hander Brad Brach from the San Diego Padres in exchange for minor league right-hander Devin Jones. Brach, 27, posted a 3.19 ERA (31.0IP, 11ER, 31K) in 33 games for San Diego in 2013. In three major league seasons with the Padres, he has gone 3-6 with a 3.70 ERA (104.2IP, 43ER) in 109 relief appearances, averaging 10.1 strikeouts per 9.0 innings. In six minor league seasons, Brach pitched to a 2.34 ERA (277.1IP, 72ER) and recorded 118...

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Yard Work: Getting Camden Yards ready for its long, winter nap

November 22, 2013, 7:39am

Orioles

Yard Work: Getting Camden Yards ready for its long, winter nap

Camden Yards is a gem, a rare baseball cathedral that blends classic, retro style with today's version of the national pastime. But its lush outfield grass and manicured infield don't happen by accident. They're the result of a year-round effort by head groundskeeper Nicole McFadyen and her talented grounds crew. Each month during this offseason, Orioles Buzz will check in with McFadyen to see what's happening on the field at Camden Yards as the grounds crew prepares for the 2014...

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Nationals announce front office promotions, addition of Henley as third base coach

November 21, 2013, 7:20am

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today promoted Doug Harris to Assistant General Manager and Vice President of Player Development, Kris Kline to Assistant General Manager and Vice President of Scouting Operations, Mark Scialabba to Director of Player Development, Mark Baca to National Supervisor, Jeff Zona to Special Assistant to the General Manager and Fred Costello to National Crosschecker. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements. Harris...

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Nationals add Solis, Taylor, Barrett to 40-man roster

November 20, 2013, 2:36pm

Nationals

The Washington Nationals today selected the contracts of left-handed pitcher Sammy Solis, outfielder Michael Taylor and right-handed pitcher Aaron Barrett. The club also designated left-handed pitcher Fernando Abad and left-handed pitcher Tyler Robertson for assignment. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements. The Nationals' second-round selection in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft (University of San Diego), Solis recently led the...

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Nationals seeking new in-game video host

November 19, 2013, 10:24am

Nationals

If you've ever stared up at the giant video board at Nationals Park during a game, seen the in-game video host running a contest or trying to engage fans and thought, "Gee, I could do that," the Nationals may want to talk to you. The Nats are commencing a casting call for a new in-game video host and, providing you have an effusive personality, have performed in front of large crowds, have on-air experience and possess a knowledge of both baseball and the Nationals, your dream could come...

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Nationals seek 2014 in-game host

November 19, 2013, 9:38am

Nationals

Do you have an enthusiastic personality and a voice that commands attention? Have you performed in front of large crowds or have any on-air experience? Do you have a deep-rooted passion for baseball and the Washington Nationals? If the answer is yes, yes and yes, don't miss this opportunity to become the Nationals in-game host for the 2014 season! The Nationals are looking for an energetic and engaging individual with a background in broadcasting, someone who will strive to enhance the...

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Orioles sign De La Cruz to one-year contract

November 18, 2013, 12:48pm

Orioles

The Orioles today announced that they have signed free agent left-hander Kelvin De La Cruz to a one-year contract. De La Cruz, 25, was a combined 3-1 with seven saves and a 2.67 ERA (67.1IP, 20ER) in 50 relief appearances for Double-A Chattanooga (3G) and Triple-A Albuquerque (47G) in the Dodgers organization in 2013. He finished third in the Pacific Coast League and set a career-high with 11.26 K/9.0IP. De La Cruz held left-handed hitters to a line of .217/.298/.261 in 106 plate appearances,...

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Orioles name Dom Chiti bullpen coach

November 11, 2013, 10:33am

Orioles

The Orioles today announced that they have named Dom Chiti as their new bullpen coach. Chiti, 54, has worked in front offices, or on major or minor league staffs, since 1982. He joins the Orioles from Atlanta, where he had served as Special Assistant to the General Manager since 2008, additionally serving as Pitching Development and Special Assignment in 2013. Prior to working Atlanta, Chiti was part of the Texas organization, where he served in multiple roles from 2002 through 2008. Chiti was...

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Scholarship fund honors Flanagan

November 08, 2013, 6:01am

Orioles

Beginning next spring, two scholarships will be awarded in memory of Mike Flanagan, the former Orioles pitcher, coach, front office executive and MASN broadcaster who took his own life in August 2011. So far, according to a Facebook page dedicated to the effort, more than $5,000 has been raised to fund the scholarships. One scholarship will be given to a graduating varsity baseball player at Manchester Memorial High School in Manchester, N.H., Flanagan's alma mater, who has progressed through...

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Leftovers from Matt Williams' introductory press conference

November 01, 2013, 5:55pm

Nationals

Leftovers from Matt Williams' introductory press conference

Now that you've had a day to chew on it, how do you feel about the beginning of the Matt Williams era? In his introductory press conference Friday, Williams sure sounded the part of a 21st-century major league manager, as forward-thinking and embracing of the advanced metrics now frequently used to dissect baseball as he was respectful of the game he loves and true to his deep, traditional roots. He seemed to say all the right things, but that's by design. After all, introductory pressers...