Orioles trade three prospects for righty Eflin

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The Orioles today announced that they have acquired right-handed pitcher ZACH EFLIN and cash considerations from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for minor league right-handed pitcher JACKSON BAUMEISTER, minor league infielder/outfielder MAC HORVATH, and minor league outfielder MATTHEW ETZEL

Eflin, 30, is 5-7 with a 4.09 ERA (50 ER/110.0 IP) with 115 hits (14 HR), 55 total runs allowed, three hit-by-pitches, 13 walks, and 87 strikeouts in 19 games, all starts, for the Rays. His 2.8 percent walk rate is the second-best among qualified pitchers in MLB this season behind Seattle’s George Kirby (2.6%), and his 5.0 walk rate since debuting in 2016 is the third-best among active qualified pitchers behind St. Louis’ Miles Mikolas (4.3%) and Los Angeles-NL’s Clayton Kershaw (4.7%). Eflin won a career-high 16 games for Tampa Bay last year, tied with Toronto’s Chris Bassitt for the most in the American League, while his 1.02 WHIP was the second-best mark in MLB behind New York-AL’s Gerrit Cole (0.98). He finished sixth in the AL Cy Young voting in 2023. The right-hander was originally selected by the San Diego Padres in the Supplemental First Round (33rd overall) of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft out of Hagerty (FL) High School. He was acquired by the Dodgers as part of a five-player trade involving Matt Kemp on December 18, 2014, and by the Philadelphia Phillies in a three-player move for Jimmy Rollins on December 19, 2014. Eflin signed a three-year contract with the Rays in December 2022 that runs through the 2025 season.

Baumeister, 22, is 1-3 with a 3.06 ERA (24 ER/70.2 IP) with 53 hits (3 HR), 31 total runs, seven hit-by-pitches, 43 walks, and 91 strikeouts in 18 games, all starts, with High-A Aberdeen. He was selected by the Orioles in the Compensation B Round (63rd overall) of the 2023 First-Year Player Draft out of Florida State University. Baumeister is ranked as the No. 17 O’s prospect and No. 6 Orioles pitching prospect by MLB Pipeline.

Horvath, 23, is slashing .232/.328/.417 (63-for-271) with 19 doubles, two triples, nine home runs, 40 runs scored, 41 RBI, four hit-by-pitches, 37 walks, and 26 stolen bases in 71 games with High-A Aberdeen. He was originally selected by the Orioles in the Compensation B Round (53rd overall) of the 2023 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of North Carolina. Horvath is ranked as the No. 10 O’s prospect by MLB Pipeline.

Etzel, 22, is batting .289/.363/.445 (87-for-301) with 15 doubles, seven triples, six homers, 46 runs scored, 47 RBI, two hit-by-pitches, 36 walks (2 IBB), and 41 stolen bases in 83 combined games between Double-A Bowie and High-A Aberdeen. He was originally selected by the Orioles in the 10th round of the 2023 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Southern Mississippi.

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Nationals recall RHP Salazar, Weems to IL

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The Washington Nationals recalled right-handed pitcher Eduardo Salazar from Triple-A Rochester placed right-handed pitcher Jordan Weems on the 15-day Injured List with right shin splints (retroactive to July 25) on Friday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.

Salazar, 26, joins the Nationals for his second stint with the club this season. He pitched in one game for Washington after he was recalled on July 13 and worked 2.0 hitless innings with four strikeouts in Milwaukee on July 14. 

In 10 games for Triple-A Rochester in 2024, Salazar was 1-0 with a 0.75 ERA (1 ER/12.0 IP), 17 strikeouts and just three walks. In his most recent outing for the Red Wings, he struck out a pair in 1.1 scoreless frames against Lehigh Valley (PHI) on July 25. Salazar has not allowed an earned run in Triple-A in his last 11.0 innings (nine games) since June 18.

Salazar was claimed off waivers from the Seattle Mariners on June 13 after appearing in four games with Triple-A Tacoma. He opened the season in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ system and eventually appeared in one Major League game, May 15 at San Francisco (2.0 IP, 3 H, R, 2 BB, 3 SO).

A native of Cumana, Venezuela, Salazar was originally signed by the Cincinnati Reds as a non-drafted free agent on March 4, 2017. He made his Major League debut with Cincinnati on May 24, 2023 vs. St. Louis and earned his first Major League win on June 6, 2023 vs. Los Angeles (NL). Salazar has appeared in 10 Major League games across two seasons, going 1-0 with a 6.06 ERA along the way.

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Orioles trade Hays to Phillies for RHP Domínguez, OF Pache

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The Orioles today announced that they have acquired right-handed pitcher SERANTHONY DOMÍNGUEZ and outfielder CRISTIAN PACHE from the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for outfielder AUSTIN HAYS.

Domínguez, 29, is 3-2 with one save and a 4.75 ERA (19 ER/36.0 IP), with 32 hits (6 HR), 22 total runs allowed, 12 walks, two hit batters, and 40 strikeouts in 38 relief appearances this season for the Phillies. His fastball has averaged 97.6 mph in 2024, which ranks in the top-five percent of MLB, per Statcast. He suffered a right elbow ulnar collateral ligament injury in 2019 that required UCL reconstruction surgery (Tommy John) in 2020 and missed most of the 2021 season. Despite having three years affected by injury, Domínguez’s 230 games since 2018 are the most by a Phillies pitcher in that time. He is 19-17 with a 3.55 ERA (87 ER/220.2 IP) across six MLB seasons. The right-hander was originally signed as an international free agent by Philadelphia out of Esperanza, Dominican Republic in October 2011. Domínguez has a club option for the 2025 season.

Pache (pronounced PAH-chay), 25, is slashing .202/.288/.269 (21-for-104) with five doubles, one triple, nine runs scored, nine RBI, and 13 walks in 50 games (30 starts) with the Phillies this season. He has appeared in 29 games (18 GS) in center field, 18 games (12 GS) in left field, and one in right field while compiling three Defensive Runs Saved and four Outs Above Average. Pache was acquired by Philadelphia from the Oakland Athletics on March 29, 2023, and by the A’s from the Atlanta Braves as part of a five-player trade sending Matt Olson to the Braves on March 14, 2022. He was originally signed as an international free agent by Atlanta out of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic in July 2015.

Hays, 29, is batting .255/.316/.395 (40-for-157) with 13 doubles, three homers, 18 runs scored, 14 RBI, six hit-by-pitches, and nine walks in 63 games (38 GS) with the Orioles in 2024. He was the team’s nominee for the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association’s 2022 Heart & Hustle Award, presented to one player from each major league team based on the passion, desire, and work ethic demonstrated both on and off the field. He started in center field for the American League in the All-Star Game last year and ranks in the top 50 in O’s history (since 1954) in doubles (36th, 121), runs (47th, 269), home runs (T-47th, 66), RBI (49th, 242), and hits (50th, 510). Hays was originally selected by Baltimore in the third round (91st overall) of the 2016 First-Year Player Draft out of Jacksonville University (FL).

To make room on the 40-man roster, right-handed pitcher LEVI STOUDT has been designated for assignment.

Orioles select contract of Chayce McDermott

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The Orioles have made the following roster moves:

  • Selected the contract of RHP Chayce McDermott from Triple-A Norfolk. He will wear No. 60 and start tonight’s game, which will be his Major League debut.
  • Optioned RHP Bryan Baker to Triple-A Norfolk after yesterday’s game.
  • Designated RHP Jonathan Heasley for assignment.

The Orioles’ 40-man roster currently has 40 players.

Nationals recall DJ Herz

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The Washington Nationals recalled left-handed pitcher DJ Herz from Triple-A Rochester and optioned right-handed pitcher Eduardo Salazar to Triple-A Rochester on Tuesday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. Herz will start tonight against the San Diego Padres.

Herz, 23, returns to Washington for his second Major League stint this season. He struck out 41 in 31.1 innings over his first seven career starts from June 4 to July 7. He struck out 13 hitters in 6.0 innings in his first MLB win against Miami on June 15 and fanned 10 in 5.2 innings against the New York Mets on July 2. In all, Herz has gone 1-3 with a 5.17 ERA for the Nationals this year.

Herz was 3-3 with a 3.89 ERA, 44 strikeouts and a .176 opponents’ batting average in 10 starts for the Red Wings this season. Over his last five starts, he went 3-1 with a 2.95 ERA (7 ER/21.1 IP), 27 strikeouts and a .151 average against. In his last start before being recalled, Herz pitched 3.1 innings, struck out two and allowed two runs on two hits on July 14.

Herz leads all of Minor League Baseball with a .176 opponents’ batting average and is third with 13.01 strikeouts per 9.0 innings since the start of the 2021 season (min. 250.0 IP). In parts of five Minor League seasons, Herz is 13-17 with a 3.67 ERA with 457 strikeouts in 321.0 innings and has held opposing hitters to a .178 batting average. 

Salazar, 26, pitched in two games for Washington. He worked 4.0 innings, struck out seven and allowed one unearned run on three hits.

Orioles reinstate Heston Kjerstad, option Kyle Stowers to Triple-A Norfolk

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The Orioles have made the following roster moves:

  • Reinstated OF Heston Kjerstad from the 7-day concussion Injured List.
  • Optioned OF Kyle Stowers to Triple-A Norfolk.

Nationals reinstate Jose A. Ferrer

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The Washington Nationals returned from rehabilitation assignment and reinstated left-handed pitcher Jose A. Ferrer from the 60-day Injured List and optioned right-handed pitcher Amos Willingham to Triple-A Rochester on Friday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.

Ferrer, 24, joins the active roster after appearing in eight rehab games between the FCL Nationals and Double-A Harrisburg. He pitched to a 2.08 ERA with nine strikeouts, four walks and a .111 opponents’ batting average (3-for-27). He missed the first portion of the season after suffering a left lat strain in Spring Training.

The hard-throwing reliever rose through Washington’s system thanks to a 2.94 ERA and 10.1 strikeouts per 9.0 innings in 99 Minor League outings from 2021 to 2023. He became a relied upon member of Washington’s bullpen in 2023 after making his Major League debut on July 1 at Philadelphia. Ferrer allowed just three extra-base hits to left-handed batters all season while going 3-0 with a 5.03 ERA in 39 games.

Ferrer enjoyed a breakout season in 2022, going 3-2 with 11 saves and a 2.48 ERA in 48 relief appearances between Single-A Fredericksburg, High-A Wilmington and Double-A Harrisburg. He recorded 78 strikeouts and just 11 walks in 65.1 innings between the three stops and was selected to participate in the 2022 SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game.

A native of Maimόn, Dominican Republic, Ferrer was signed by Washington as a non-drafted free agent on July 2, 2017.

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Nationals announce 2025 schedule

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The Washington Nationals, in conjunction with Major League Baseball, announced their 2025 schedule on Thursday. Washington will open the 2025 season at home against the division rival Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday, March 27 – the earliest start to the season in Nationals history (2005-pres.). The three-game series against Philadelphia marks the first time the Nationals have hosted the Phillies on Opening Day since April 5, 2010.

Following the opening series, the Nationals will travel to Toronto to face the Blue Jays for three games before returning to Washington, D.C., for a six-game homestand against the Arizona Diamondbacks (April 4-6) and Los Angeles Dodgers (April 7-9).

Washington will embark on the team’s two 10-day road trips before July. The first – from April 11 to 20 – will include matchups against the Miami Marlins, Pittsburgh Pirates and Colorado Rockies. The second 10-day road trip (June 20-29) will take the club across Southern California, beginning in Los Angeles against the Dodgers, down to San Diego to face the Padres and back up to Anaheim to take on the Los Angeles Angels.

The annual Beltway Series vs. the Baltimore Orioles expands to six games in 2024, renewing Tuesday through Thursday, April 22-24, at Nationals Park and in Baltimore from Friday through Sunday, May 16-18. The May series will be a part of “Rivalry Weekend” across Major League Baseball.

Memorial Day weekend will feature a visit from the San Francisco Giants, Friday through Sunday, May 23-25, while the Nationals will also be home over Labor Day weekend with a homestand against the Tampa Bay Rays (Aug. 29-31) and Miami Marlins (Sept. 1-3).

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Orioles announce 2025 schedule

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The Orioles today announced their 2025 regular season schedule. Baltimore will open the 2025 season on Thursday, March 27, in Toronto against the Blue Jays. The O’s will celebrate their Home Opener on Monday, March 31, against the Boston Red Sox.

Following an off day on Tuesday, April 1, the Orioles play two more games against the Red Sox before embarking on a six-game road trip to face the Kansas City Royals and Arizona Diamondbacks from April 4-9. Baltimore’s first true homestand is the team’s longest of the season, featuring three games each against the Blue Jays, Cleveland Guardians, and Cincinnati Reds from April 11-20.

DIVISION RIVALS: The Orioles will play four series each against American League East foes, two at home and two on the road, for 13 games against each divisional rival. Baltimore will host the Red Sox and New York Yankees at Oriole Park for seven games and the Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Rays for six. Thirteen of the Orioles’ final 16 games are against divisional opponents, including the final 10, which includes seven at home against the Yankees (September 18-21) and Rays (September 23-25), and the final series of the season coming in New York (September 26-28). 

WEEKEND WARRIORS: Baltimore will host 13 weekend series, including three against AL East rivals: the Blue Jays (April 11-13), Rays (June 27-29), and Yankees (September 18-21).

HOLIDAY SCHEDULE: The home schedule features three games played on holidays, including Easter Sunday (April 20 vs. Cincinnati), Memorial Day (May 26 vs. St. Louis), and Father’s Day (June 15 vs. Los Angeles-AL).

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Orioles ratings through the roof in first half of season

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Orioles baseball No. 1 in prime time across the Baltimore DMA 

Viewership up over 35 percent 

Amplifying their first-place spot in the American League East, the Baltimore Orioles on MASN are dominating prime time, outpacing every other local broadcast station and cable network by a wide margin, according to the latest Neilsen ratings. Orioles viewership is up by double digits compared with the 2023 season as the team posted a 58-38 record in the first half of the 2024 campaign. 

The Orioles on MASN are averaging 100,000 viewers, per quarter hour, each night across the Baltimore DMA. This is an increase of more than 35 percent over the same period last season. The groundswell of interest is widespread, as the Orioles on MASN are by far the No. 1 viewed program in prime time across the entire demographic spectrum.   

“Marylanders love Orioles baseball, and they are coming to MASN every night to be a part of something special," said MASN senior executive John McGuinness. "This young team is talented, exciting and they play the game with the same grit and enthusiasm fans can appreciate and can identify with. Five Orioles just played in the MLB All-Star Game, the farm system is loaded – the future is indeed bright in Birdland. We expect viewership to only grow as the pennant races heat up.”

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Orioles complete 2024 First-Year Player Draft

The Baltimore Orioles made 10 selections on Day Three of the 2024 First-Year Player Draft, completing Rounds 11-20. This year, the Orioles selected 21 players overall: 11 pitchers and 10 position players, with 17 of the selections being college athletes and four from the high school ranks. The Orioles selected eight right-handed pitchers, three left-handed pitchers, four outfielders, two infielders, and four catchers.

RD             PICK             PLAYER               POS          B/T         HT         WT           DOB                     SCHOOL                           SCOUT

1                 22           Vance Honeycutt        CF            R/R         6-3       205         5/17/2003    University of North Carolina           Boyd

PPI              32            Griff O'Ferrall            INF           R/R        6-1       195        2/2/2003          University of Virginia                 O'Dowd

2                 61           Ethan Anderson          C              S/R        6-2       215        9/21/2003        University of Virginia                 O'Dowd

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Nationals select 10 players on final day of 2024 First-Year Player Draft

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The Washington Nationals selected 10 players on the third and final day of Major League Baseball’s 2024 First-Year Player Draft on Tuesday. President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo, Vice President, Amateur Scouting Danny Haas, Senior Director, Amateur Scouting Brad Ciolek, and Assistant Director and National Crosschecker, Amateur Scouting Reed Dunn made the announcements.

The Nationals opened Day 3 with the selection of left-handed pitcher Merritt Beeker from Ball State (Ind.) University in the 11th round. The 2024 Mid-Atlantic Conference Pitcher of the Year, Beeker ranked tied for seventh in all of NCAA Division I with 128 strikeouts in 81.0 innings pitched. He went 9-3 with a 4.11 ERA in 15 starts during his junior season. Beeker spent two seasons at East Carolina University before transferring to Ball State.

In the 12th round, Washington selected right-handed pitcher Alexander Meckley from Coastal Carolina (S.C.) University. Meckley opened the season 3-0 with a 2.60 ERA in his first five starts and recorded a total 57 strikeouts in 52.2 innings on the season. He pitched in 21 games and made nine starts in 2024.

 In the 13th round, the Nationals selected left-handed pitcher Bryant Olson from Mercer (Ga.) University. As a junior in 2024, he led the Southern Conference with eight saves while striking out 39 batters in 26.2 innings. Olson transferred from Gordon State (Ga.) College where he recorded 97 strikeouts in 70.2 innings pitched as a sophomore in 2023.

Washington selected right-handed pitcher Yoel Tejeda Jr. in the 14th round. Tejeda Jr. pitched one season for Florida State and went 1-2 with a 5.03 ERA in 12 games, making one start. He struck out 15 in 19.2 innings of work.

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Orioles select eight players on second day of draft

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The Baltimore Orioles today made eight selections on Day Two of the 2024 First-Year Player Draft, completing Rounds 3-10. The Orioles started the day by selecting outfielder AUSTIN OVERN at No. 97 overall from the University of Southern California. The Orioles also selected right-handed pitcher CHASE ALLSUP at No. 127 overall from Auburn University (AL), catcher RYAN STAFFORD at No. 160 overall from California Polytechnic State University, shortstop DJ LAYTON at No. 189 overall from Charlotte Christian High School (NC), left-handed pitcher CARSON DORSEY at No. 219 overall from Florida State University, catcher COLIN TUFT at No. 249 from Tulane University (LA), right-handed pitcher JACK CROWDER at No. 279 from the University of Illinois, and right-handed pitcher CHRISTIAN RODRIGUEZ at No. 309 from California State University, Fullerton. 

Overn, 21, slashed .270/.349/.461 (65-for-241) with 12 doubles, five triples, eight home runs, 57 runs scored, 32 RBI, 19 walks, and 17 stolen bases in 59 games during his sophomore season at Southern California. He paced the team in runs, triples, home runs, runs scored, and stolen bases and was the only Trojan to start all 59 of the team’s games. He was a two-time All-Pac-12 All-Defensive Team selection and an All-Pac-12 honorable mention in 2024. As a freshman, he set the program single season triple record with 14, helping him earn Freshman All-American honors. He was a member of the 2022 USC football team as a wide receiver. Overn attended Foothill High School (CA). He was ranked as the No. 85 overall draft prospect by Baseball America and No. 131 by MLB Pipeline.

Allsup, 21, pitched to a 4-3 record with a 5.63 ERA (39 ER/62.1 IP) and 74 strikeouts in 13 appearances (11 starts) for the Tigers during his junior season, leading the team in wins, innings, and strikeouts. In 2023 at Auburn, he made 20 appearances (eight starts) and owned a 1-2 record with a 5.47 ERA (30 ER/49.1 IP) while striking out 49 batters and securing two saves. Allsup made 23 appearances for Auburn in 2022 and posted a 3.38 ERA (11 ER/29.1 IP), notching 32 strikeouts with two saves. He attended Dothan High School in his hometown of Dothan, Ala. He was ranked as the No. 241 overall draft prospect by Baseball America.

Stafford, 21, slashed .368/.444/.568 (86-for-234) with 23 doubles, three triples, six home runs, 49 runs scored, 46 RBI, 26 walks, and 10 stolen bases in 57 games during his junior season at Cal Poly. He paced the team in hits, doubles, triples, total bases (133), and slugging, and was one of two Mustangs to play in all 57 of the team’s games. He was the 2024 All-Big West Defensive Player of the Year, a former Freshman All-American, and a one-time first and second team All-Big West honoree. He set the Cal Poly program record with 59 career doubles. Stafford attended Folsom High School (CA), where he was named first-team All-League. He was ranked as the No. 175 overall draft prospect by MLB Pipeline and No. 202 by Baseball America.

Layton, 17, attended Charlotte Christian High School (NC). He slashed .449/.532/.719 (40-for-89) with six doubles, three triples, four home runs, 30 runs scored, 34 RBI, and 18 walks in 30 games. Layton was named a 2024 Perfect Game Atlantic Region Preseason All-American honorable mention. He is committed to the University of Southern Mississippi.

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Nationals choose eight more players on second day of draft

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The Washington Nationals selected eight players on the second day of Major League Baseball’s 2024 First-Year Player Draft on Monday. President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo, Vice President, Amateur Scouting Danny Haas, Senior Director, Amateur Scouting Brad Ciolek, and Assistant Director and National Crosschecker, Amateur Scouting Reed Dunn made the announcements.

The Nationals kicked off Monday’s action by selecting catcher Kevin Bazzell from Texas Tech University in the third round. Bazzell is the No. 55 ranked prospect in the 2024 Draft, according to MLBPipeline.com. He combined to hit .330 with a .431 on-base percentage and a .530 slugging percentage in 112 games across two seasons at Texas Tech, clubbing 37 doubles, a triple, 16 home runs, 94 RBI and 92 runs scored along the way.

As a freshman in 2023, Bazzell was named Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-American, a NCBWA First-Team Freshman All-American, ABCA All-Region Second Team and First-Team All Big-12 after ranking 11th in NCAA Division 1 with 24 doubles and pacing his club with 87 hits. Bazzell joined Texas Tech in the spring of 2022 after spending his first collegiate fall season at Dallas Baptist University.

In the fourth round, Washington selected left-handed pitcher Jackson Kent from the University of Arizona. Kent earned First-Team Pac-12 honors as a sophomore in 2024 after he went 3-4 with a 4.08 ERA and 89 strikeouts in 15 starts and helped Arizona to the Pac-12 Baseball championship. He pitched to a 2.41 ERA (18 ER / 67.1 IP) in his first 11 starts of the season and did not allow more than three runs in any of those games.

Between his freshman and sophomore seasons, Kent went 2-1 with a 2.52 ERA in six starts for Yarmouth-Dennis in the Cape Cod Baseball League. He struck out 27 in 25.0 innings of work.

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Finnegan joins Abrams on All-Star squad

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Washington Nationals right-handed pitcher Kyle Finnegan has been added to the National League All-Star Team and joins shortstop CJ Abrams in representing the organization in the 2024 Major League All-Star Game in Dallas.

Finnegan, 32, ranks second in the National League and third in Major League Baseball with 25 saves. He’s pitched to a 2.45 ERA with 42 strikeouts, a 1.02 WHIP and a .190 opponents’ batting average in 41 games (40.1 IP) out of Washington’s bullpen so far this season.

Originally signed by Washington as a free agent in November 2019, Finnegan’s 75 career saves are tied for third-most in Nationals history (2005-pres.). He is the first Nationals reliever to be named an All-Star since Tyler Clippard (2014, 2011) and the first Nationals closer to make it since Matt Capps in 2010.

From April 3 to June 2, Finnegan pitched to a 0.42 ERA (1 ER/21.1 IP) with a .127 opponents’ batting average while converting 15 of 16 save opportunities. Opposing hitters went 9-for-71 with just one extra-base hit against him over that span. He followed that up with a stretch of 9.1 innings (36 PA) without issuing a walk from June 2 to June 19.

Finnegan tossed 11.0 no-hit innings from April 13 to May 8. Opposing batters went 0-for-32 with 11 strikeouts and three walks against him while converting all eight save opportunities during that stretch. It was the second-longest hitless streak for any pitcher in Nationals history (2005-pres.) behind Max Scherzer's 16.0 inning streak, June, 14, 2015 to June 26, 2015.

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Draft's first day nets three prospects for Orioles

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The Baltimore Orioles tonight selected center fielder VANCE HONEYCUTT from the University of North Carolina with their first selection as the 22nd overall pick of the 2024 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. The Orioles also selected infielder GRIFF O’FERRALL at No. 32 overall from the University of Virginia and catcher ETHAN ANDERSON at No. 61 overall out of the University of Virginia.

Honeycutt, 21, slashed .318/.410/.714 (81-for-255) with 13 doubles, two triples, 28 home runs, 88 runs scored, 70 RBI, 36 walks, and 28 stolen bases in 62 games during his junior season. He is the first two-time ACC Defensive Player of the Year in league history (2023 & 2024). He broke the UNC record for home runs in a career (65) and single season (28, 2024). Honeycutt was named a First-Team All-American by the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA), College Baseball Foundation, D1Baseball.com, and Perfect Game and recognized as a Second-Team All-American by Baseball America. A native of Salisbury, N.C., Honeycutt attended Salisbury High School, where he helped the school win the 2021 North Carolina High School Athletic Association baseball 2A state championship. He was drafted in the 20th round of the 2021 First-Year Player Draft by the San Francisco Giants but did not sign. He was ranked as the No. 13 overall draft prospect by Baseball America and No. 22 by MLB Pipeline.

O’Ferrall, 21, slashed .324/.367/.454 (92-for-284) with 20 doubles, one triple, five home runs, 64 runs scored, 52 RBI, 22 walks, and 17 stolen bases in 63 games during his junior season. He won the Brooks Wallace Award in 2024, annually bestowed on the nation’s top shortstop by the College Baseball Hall of Fame, becoming the first Wallace Award winner in program history. O’Ferrall earned First-Team All-ACC honors for the second consecutive season. He struck out once every 11.8 at-bats, statistically the toughest hitter to strike out in the ACC. He attended St. Christopher’s High School (Va.), where he was named Virginia Gatorade Player of the Year. He was ranked as the No. 38 overall draft prospect by MLB Pipeline.

Anderson, 20, slashed .331/.435/.508 (82-for-248) with 20 doubles, eight home runs, 67 runs scored, 40 RBI, 40 walks, and five stolen bases in 63 games during his junior season. He earned First-Team All-ACC honors at utility and was recognized as a semifinalist for the Buster Posey Award, given annually to the nation’s top catcher. Anderson was also named a 2024 D1Baseball.com Preseason Second Team All-American after setting the program record with 26 doubles in 2023. He attended Frank W. Cox High School (Va.). He was ranked as the No. 59 overall draft prospect by Baseball America and No. 78 by MLB Pipeline.

The Draft continues with Day Two on July 15, with rounds 3-10, and Day Three on Tuesday, July 16, with rounds 11-20, with each day beginning at 2:00 p.m. ET on MLB.com.

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Nationals select catcher Caleb Lomavita and shortstop Luke Dickerson

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The Washington Nationals selected collegiate catcher Caleb Lomavita out of the University of California, Berkeley, with the No. 39 overall pick and prep shortstop Luke Dickerson from Morris Knolls (N.J.) High School with the No. 44 overall pick in the 2024 MLB First-Year Player Draft on Sunday. President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo, Vice President, Amateur Scouting Danny Haas, Senior Director, Amateur Scouting Brad Ciolek, and Assistant Director and National Crosschecker, Amateur Scouting Reed Dunn made the announcements.

Lomavita, 21, hit .322 with 13 doubles, one triple, 15 home runs, 52 RBI, 12 walks, 12 stolen bases and 51 runs scored in 55 games in 2024. He posted a .395 on-base percentage, .586 slugging percentage and was one of eight catchers in NCAA Division I with 10 or more stolen bases and 10 or more home runs. His led his team with 133 total bases, which ranked fifth-most in the Pac-12.

The No. 18 draft prospect and top catching prospect according to Baseball America, Lomavita was a Dick Howser Trophy (top collegiate player) semifinalist, garnered First-Team All-Pac-12 and All-Pac-12 Defensive Team honors, and was named a Perfect Game Third-Team All-American following his junior season.

The five-foot-11, 200-pound right-handed hitter batted .316 with 13 doubles, 16 home runs, 43 RBI, nine stolen bases, 12 walks and 47 runs scored in 48 games as a sophomore in 2023. He recorded 17 multi-hit games and 12 multi-RBI performances on his way to All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention recognition.

As a freshman in 2022, Lomavita was named a Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball and was one of six true freshmen to earn a spot on the All-Pac-12 First Team after he hit .272 with 10 doubles, a triple, seven home runs, 46 RBI, 22 walks, 15 stolen bases and 37 runs scored.

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Nationals select shortstop Seaver King

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The Washington Nationals selected collegiate shortstop Seaver King out of Wake Forest University with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2024 MLB First-Year Player Draft on Sunday. President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo, Vice President, Amateur Scouting Danny Haas, Senior Director, Amateur Scouting Brad Ciolek, and Assistant Director and National Crosschecker, Amateur Scouting Reed Dunn made the joint announcement.

King, 21, hit .308 with 14 doubles, three triples, 16 home runs, 64 RBI, 25 walks, 11 stolen bases and 59 runs scored in 60 games as he helped lead Wake Forest to the Greenville Regional of the 2024 NCAA Tournament. He posted a .377 on-base percentage, .577 slugging percentage and recorded a hit in 48 games, including 24 multi-hit performances. King recorded 21 multi-RBI games including eight games with three or more. He reached base safely in 31 straight games during the 2024 campaign (April 2-May 25), posting an 11-game hit streak (April 6-23) and a 16-game hit streak (April 27-May 24) during that span. 

The No. 17 draft prospect according to Baseball America and MLBPipeline.com, King was a Dick Howser Trophy (top collegiate player) semifinalist and garnered Third-Team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors after his junior season. Prior to the start of his junior campaign, he was named Preseason Third-Team All-America by D1Baseball.com.

Between his sophomore and junior seasons, King played for Harwich in the Cape Cod Baseball League, where he slashed .424/.479/.542 with four doubles, one homer, nine RBI, five stolen bases, seven walks and 15 runs scored in 16 games.

Standing at six-foot, 195-pounds, King began his collegiate career at Wingate (N.C.) University, where he had a 47-game hitting streak as a sophomore in 2023, the third-longest hitting streak in Division II history. He went on to lead Wingate in batting average (.411), slugging (.699), on-base percentage (.457), runs (63), hits (90), RBI (53), doubles (20), triples (5), home runs (11), total bases (153) and stolen bases (13). Following the season, he was named to the USA Baseball Collegiate Team.

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Nationals recall Amos Willingham

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The Washington Nationals recalled right-handed pitcher Amos Willingham from Triple-A Rochester on Sunday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.

Willingham, 25, joins the Nationals after not allowing an earned run across his last five appearances (6.0 IP) with Rochester and having surrendered just two hits with eight strikeouts and four walks along the way. Willingham is 2-3 with a 4.54 ERA and 42 strikeouts in 32 relief outings (39.2 IP) for the Red Wings in 2024, having tossed more than 1.0 inning in 14 of his 32 appearances.

A 17th-round pick in the 2019 First-Year Player Draft, Willingham made his Major League debut in 2023, appearing in 18 games across four Major League stints. He threw more than 1.0 inning in eight of his 18 outings, including 3.0 scoreless innings on Sept. 2 vs. Miami. At the Minor League level, he went 5-1 with five saves and a 2.02 ERA in 28 games between Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Rochester in 2023.

Nats trade Harvey to Royals for 3B Wallace and draft pick

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The Washington Nationals acquired third baseman Cayden Wallace and competitive balance draft pick (No. 39 overall) from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for right-handed pitcher Hunter Harvey on Saturday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement. 

Wallace, 22, is Kansas City’s No. 2 overall prospect according to MLBPipeline.com and their No. 5 prospect, per Baseball America. He joins the Nationals organization after hitting .280 with nine doubles, three home runs, 18 RBI, 10 walks, three stolen bases and 19 runs scored in 41 games between Double-A Northwest Arkansas and the Arizona Complex League Royals.

Wallace led Royals Minor Leaguers with 47 extra-base hits and ranked second with 84 RBI in 2023. He also ranked among Kansas City Minor Leaguers in triples (2nd, 7), runs scored (2nd, 75), hits (3rd, 128), doubles (3rd, 27), total bases (3rd, 208) slugging percentage (7th, .414) and OPS (9th, .745).

Originally selected in the second round of the 2022 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Arkansas, Wallace has hit .265 with a .340 on-base percentage and a .420 slugging percentage in 198 games across three professional seasons. He’s clubbed 43 doubles, 10 triples, 18 home runs, 118 RBI and has drawn 76 walks along the way.

With the acquisition of Kansas City’s competitive balance draft pick, the Nationals will now have three selections on the first day of the 2024 First-Year Player Draft, picks 10, 39 and 44 overall.