Highlighted by several of the organization’s top prospects, the Washington Nationals announced the following invitations to 2024 Major League Spring Training on Tuesday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.

Top prospects including outfielders Dylan Crews, Robert Hassell III and James Wood, as well as infielders Darren Baker, Brady House and Trey Lipscomb will each take part in their first Major League Spring Training. Outfielder Travis Blankenhorn, first basemen Lewin Diaz, Left-handed pitcher Joe La Sorsa, catcher Brady Lindsly and first baseman/outfielder Juan Yepez have also been invited to Major League Spring Training.

Crews, 22, is Washington’s top prospect and the No. 6 prospect in baseball, according to Baseball America. He will take part in his first Major League Spring Training after being selected No. 2 overall in the 2023 First-Year Player Draft. One of the most accomplished players in the history of college baseball, Crews enters the season as the “Best Hitter for Average” in Washington’s system, per Baseball America. He hit .292 with nine doubles, five homers, 29 RBI, 14 walks, four stolen bases and 26 runs scored in 35 games between the FCL Nationals, Single-A Fredericksburg and Double-A Harrisburg in his first professional season in 2023.

Hassell III, 22, is entering his second full season in Washington’s organization after being acquired at the 2022 Trade Deadline. He is the No. 7 prospect in the organization, according to Baseball America. Hassell III appeared in a career-high 121 games between Single-A Fredericksburg and Double-A Harrisburg in 2023, hitting .221 with a .324 on-base percentage, 16 doubles, two triples, nine homers, 41 RBI, 68 walks, 15 stolen bases and 66 runs scored along the way.

Wood, 21, is the No 2. prospect in the organization and the No. 11 prospect in baseball, according to Baseball America. Washington’s 2022 and 2023 Minor League Hitter of the Year, Wood led the organization in home runs (26), RBI (91) and slugging percentage (.520) and ranked second in OPS (.873), doubles (28) and triples (8) in 2023. He was selected to represent the Nationals in the 2023 SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game on the way to setting career marks in nearly every offensive category in 121 games between High-A Wilmington and Double-A Harrisburg. According to Baseball America, he is the “Best Power Hitter” and the “Best Defensive Outfielder” in Washington’s Minor League system.

The Orioles have made the following roster move:

• Agreed to terms with LHP Danny Coulombe on a one-year contract for the 2024 season with a club option for 2025, avoiding arbitration.

With Spring Training just weeks away, the Washington Nationals today unveiled the team’s 2024 uniform collection, highlighted by a new pullover jersey and updated road grays. Full- and Half-Season Plan Holders will be the first see the uniforms in person at the NATS PLUS Hot Stove event tomorrow, Saturday, Jan. 27, at Nationals Park.

The Nationals’ 2024 uniform collection is composed of five jerseys, including the club’s first pullover. The white top with navy blue sleeves features the Vintage Capitol W logo on the left chest. Making its first jersey appearance, the Vintage Capitol W debuted on Spring Training caps in 2019 and has been featured on regular-season caps since 2020. The pullover also includes a brand-new arm patch displaying an interlocking “DC” inside the District of Columbia silhouette.

The club’s gray road jerseys have been updated to feature “Washington” in blue block lettering with red and white trim across the chest, replacing the script red version with blue outline. The numerals on the front and back are red with a blue outline, while the name lettering is blue outlined in red. The gray jersey and corresponding pants are now trimmed in a tricolor red, white and blue piping, replacing the dual red and blue trim from previous seasons.

Rounding out the club’s 2024 closet are the navy jerseys with script “Nationals” across the chest, which have been worn since 2018; the white jerseys with script “Nationals” that have been worn since 2020; and the popular cherry blossom-themed City Connects. The team’s City Connect uniform, which debuted in 2022, will be worn on Friday and Saturday home games in 2024 and will be retired from regular wear at the conclusion of the season. 

The Nationals open their home season on Monday, April 1, at 4:05 p.m. vs. the Pittsburgh Pirates. Fans can also get an early look at this year’s roster as well as top prospects from around the organization at ON DECK: NATIONALS FUTURES GAME on Tuesday, March 26, at 12:05 p.m. Tickets for all games are available now at nats.com/Tickets.

The Orioles today announced their support for the City of Baltimore Council Bill 23-0418, which prohibits the use of all tobacco products in stadiums within Baltimore City, including Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Additionally, the Orioles will ban the use of all tobacco products at the Ed Smith Stadium Complex, Baltimore’s Spring Training home in Sarasota, Fla., as well as at the Buck O’Neil Complex at Twin Lakes Park.

“As an organization, our top priority is to ensure that we are always doing what is best for our club and our community,” said Orioles Executive Vice President of Public Affairs, KERRY WATSON. “That is why, after numerous conversations with our front office, coaching staff, and city officials, we have made the decision to support the City’s ban of tobacco products at stadiums throughout Baltimore.”

The Orioles have a longstanding history of supporting tobacco-free living. Smoking was first banned in all seating areas of the ballpark in 1993. The ban was later expanded to prohibit smoking and the carrying of lit tobacco products within 25 feet of Oriole Park, including the Warehouse and other outdoor spaces along the gates.

The club also partners with Students Working Against Tobacco (SWAT) to promote tobacco-free living as part of the Orioles Health & Fitness Challenge. Launched in 2016, the partnership with Sarasota County Schools teaches students about the importance of physical fitness, healthy eating, and tobacco-free living.

“As a lifelong fan of the team, I’m so grateful to have the support of the Baltimore Orioles on common sense public health legislation for Baltimore City,” said Baltimore City Council Member, KRISTERFER BURNETT. “Tobacco use is a major public health threat that harms not only the users, but also the spectators and the athletes. By removing the use of tobacco products at sporting events, we are sending a clear message that we value the health and well-being of our community. We are also setting a positive example for our youth, who deserve to enjoy sports in a tobacco-free environment.”

The Orioles have made the following roster move:

• Agreed to terms on a 2024 Minor League contract with OF Daniel Johnson.

The Orioles today announced that the press box at Oriole Park at Camden Yards will be renamed the JIM HENNEMAN PRESS BOX in honor of longtime Baltimore sportswriter and official scorer JIM HENNEMAN, who has covered Baltimore sports for eight decades. The team will formally dedicate the press box as part of a special ceremony at a later date, after which the press box at Oriole Park will forever be known as the Jim Henneman Press Box. Details regarding the ceremony will be announced later.

Henneman began his writing career with the Baltimore News-American (then News-Post) in 1958 before being named public relations director of the Baltimore Bullets in 1968, a position he held until 1973. He returned to the News-American as an Orioles beat writer until 1979, when he moved to The Evening Sun and The Baltimore Sun on the Orioles beat from 1980-95, including a year as the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) president in 1984. He was the primary official scorer at Orioles home games from 1997-2019. Henneman is the author of “60 Years of Orioles Magic,” the Orioles’ 60^th anniversary book published in 2015. 

Legendary sports editor JOHN STEADMAN originally hired Henneman as a copy boy for the News-American. On his first Opening Day assignment in 1963, Henneman ended up serving as a batboy for the Orioles-Senators game at District of Columbia Stadium - with President JOHN F. KENNEDY in attendance - when it was revealed that the visiting team did not have a batboy for the season opener. He even borrowed a sweatshirt and a pair of cleats from Orioles Legend and National Baseball Hall of Famer BROOKS ROBINSON.

A Baltimore native, Henneman attended Loyola University Maryland (then Loyola College in Maryland) and Calvert Hall College High School. At Calvert Hall, he was a standout pitcher and competed against future National Baseball Hall of Famer and Southern High School star AL KALINE. He also worked in the clubhouse for the International League Orioles at Memorial Stadium, three and a half blocks from his home in the Ednor Gardens neighborhood. At 18 years old, he attended the Orioles’ home opener on April 15, 1954, in which they defeated the White Sox, 3-1, in front of 46,354 fans at Memorial Stadium to mark Baltimore’s return to the Major Leagues after 52 years. He later worked as an usher at Memorial Stadium while attending Loyola during the mid-1950s.

Henneman has four children, 10 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. He continues to cover the Orioles for Press Box, where he is a longtime columnist and contributor.

The Orioles today announced that they have acquired infielder TYLER NEVIN from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for cash considerations.

Nevin, 26, slashed .200/.306/.316 (19-for-95) with three doubles, one triple, two home runs, 11 runs scored, 10 RBI, and 12 walks in 41 games over four stints with the Tigers last season. He missed most of Spring Training and the start of the regular season with a left oblique strain. The infielder also batted .326/.400/.543 (110-for-337) with 40 extra-base hits, including 15 homers, in 87 games with Triple-A Toledo.

He spent parts of three of his first nine professional seasons with the O’s after being traded from the Colorado Rockies along with infielder Terrin Vavra and a player to be named later (outfielder Mishael Deson) for right-handed pitcher Mychal Givens on August 30, 2020. Nevin was originally selected by the Rockies in the Competitive Balance A round (38^th overall) of the 2015 First-Year Player Draft out of Poway (CA) High School. His father, Phil, is a 12-year major leaguer and former manager of the Los Angeles Angels.

The Orioles’ 40-man roster currently has 39 players.

The Orioles have made the following roster move:

• Agreed to terms with LHP Cionel Pérez on a one-year contract for the 2024 season with a club option for 2025, avoiding arbitration.

The Washington Nationals on Tuesday added All-Star and World Series champion pitcher Sean Doolittle to their staff as a Pitching Strategist. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.

In this role, Doolittle will serve as a liaison between the analytics department and pitching staff, while assisting the manager and pitching coach with strategy, mental preparation and mechanics.

“Sean Doolittle was always an extremely talented pitcher, but he is also one of the most intelligent baseball minds you can find,” said Rizzo. “We’re incredibly excited to have him on our staff to help guide our talented group of young pitchers.”

“I can’t thank the Lerner family, Mike Rizzo and Davey Martinez enough for all they’ve done for me and my family,” Doolittle said. “I love the Nationals and Washington D.C., and look forward to this new challenge while remaining an active member of an organization that means so much to me.”

Doolittle, 37, spent six seasons with the Nationals, retiring in 2023 after an 11-year Major League career. The hard-throwing left-handed reliever instantly became a staple of Washington’s bullpen, clubhouse and community after joining the club in July 2017 and ranks tied for third in Nationals history (2005-pres.) with 75 saves. His 153 relief appearances are second most by a Nationals pitcher since 2017 and 13th most in Nationals history (2005-pres.).

The Orioles today announced that tickets for all 2024 regular season home games at Oriole Park at Camden Yards will go on sale to the general public on Thursday, January 25, at 10 a.m. ET. Tickets can be purchased at Orioles.com/Tickets. The club also announced its 2024 promotional schedule, which features 24 giveaway items and is highlighted by five bobbleheads, multiple t-shirt nights, a City Connect Reversible Floppy Hat, presented by Coors Light, a City Connect Hawaiian Shirt, an Orioles Football Jersey, and an Orioles Soccer Jersey. 

Fans who subscribe to the free Orioles Insider email newsletter will receive an invitation to participate in an online pre-sale opportunity beginning Tuesday, January 23, at 10 a.m., including a limited time special offer for up to 50 percent off all April and May home games. Fans can subscribe online at Orioles.com/Newsletter. This year, due to high demand, tickets for Opening Day on Thursday, March 28, when the Orioles host the Los Angeles Angels at 3:05 p.m. are available exclusively to Birdland Members. For more information, or to purchase a 2024 Birdland Membership, call 888-848-BIRD or visit Orioles.com/Memberships.

The Bird Bath Splash Zone will return to Section 86 for the 2024 season with tickets available to purchase beginning on Tuesday, January 23. Fans who purchase single game tickets in Section 86 may get wet and are encouraged to secure their belongings in waterproof bags before entering the Bird Bath.

The bobblehead giveaways will feature 2023 American League Manager of the Year BRANDON HYDE on Saturday, April 27, Orioles Chief Hydration Officer MR. SPLASH on Friday, May 10, Orioles 2023 co-home run leader ANTHONY SANTANDER on Saturday, June 1, Silver Slugger ADLEY RUTSCHMAN on Sunday, July 28, and 2023 American League Rookie of the Year GUNNAR HENDERSON on Friday, August 23.

Returning this year are popular fan favorites, including the City Connect Hawaiian Shirt on Saturday, June 29, City Connect Reversible Floppy Hat, presented by Coors Light, on Friday, July 26, and Orioles Soccer Jersey on Saturday, August 24. 

The Orioles today announced that they have opened the 2023-24 International Signing Period with 19 contract agreements. Highlighting the Orioles’ 2023-24 international signing class are: shortstop EMILIO SÁNCHEZ, outfielder STIVEN MARTÍNEZ, shortstop ELVIN GARCÍA, shortstop JEMONE NUEL, right-handed pitcher YAKI MONDESIR, outfielder ÁNGEL GARCÍA, and right-handed pitcher ESTEBAN MEJÍA. Of the 19 total agreements, 13 are from the Dominican Republic and six are from Venezuela. The signing class includes seven infielders, six outfielders, four pitchers, and two catchers.

Sánchez, 16, was born in San Juan De La Maguana, Dominican Republic. He is ranked as the No. 30 international prospect by MLB Pipeline and No. 31 by Baseball America. He has the chance to be a solid, everyday type of player who is capable of plus offense with average defense. He carries a solid approach at the plate and has a loose swing with good extension and bat speed. The bat stays in the hitting zone for a long time. He possesses good balance and feel for the barrel. Defensively, he will start his career at shortstop but could move to third base as he physically matures and gets stronger.

Martínez, 16, is an outfielder from the Dominican Republic who has the potential to be a five-tool player. He is ranked as the No. 28 international prospect by MLB Pipeline and No. 42 by Baseball America. He carries a plus arm and possesses plenty of raw power for his age as one of the youngest players in his class. He has the ability to hit to all fields as the ball jumps off the bat. Defensively, Martínez has a very strong arm with proper mechanics and an on-line carry. He is viewed as one of the best projects in this class.

García, 16, a native of Mao, Dominican Republic, has the chance to be an everyday shortstop. He has a large frame with a lot of space to fill out, making for excellent body projection. Offensively, he has a short swing with bat speed and carries a good approach at the plate. He is a line-drive type of hitter with the ability to hit the ball to the opposite field. On the dirt, he has a chance to stay at shortstop due to his good hands and feet. He maintains fluid and effortless actions with plenty of body control. He is a smart player who understands his role well.

Nuel, 16, is a shortstop out of the Dominican Republic, with Jamaican descent, who profiles best as an everyday player. He is a solid hitter who possesses great bat-to-ball skills, shows good feel for the barrel, and sees spin well. He is an advanced hitter for his age and has line-drive power that will help him hit a lot of extra-base hits. On defense, he projects as someone who will remain in the middle of the infield. He is a plus runner who is aggressive on the bases. Nuel will be fun to watch as someone who plays the game with good energy.

The Washington Nationals agreed to terms with 20 international free agents on Monday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo and Director of International Operations Fausto Severino made the joint announcement.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

PLAYER                   POS         B/T          HT           WT           AGE         D.O.B.                      HOMETOWN                            SIGNING SCOUT

Enmanuel Carela      RHP         R/R          5-11           160           16             3/10/2007               Santo Domingo                        Bolivar Pelletier

Marlon De La Cruz    RHP         R/R          6-2           155           18             11/3/2005                Santo Domingo                        Riki Vasquez

The Orioles today announced their 2024 Major League staff, led by 2023 American League Manager of the Year BRANDON HYDE. The club has named DREW FRENCH Pitching Coach, MITCH PLASSMEYER Assistant Pitching Coach, and GRANT ANDERS Major League Development Coach. All other coaches remain in their same positions: CODY ASCHE as Offensive Strategy Coach, MATT BORGSCHULTE and RYAN FULLER as Co-Hitting Coaches, TIM COSSINS as Major League Field Coordinator/Catching Instructor, FREDI GONZÁLEZ as Bench Coach, JOSÉ HERNÁNDEZ as Major League Coach, RYAN KLIMEK as Pitching Strategy Coach, TONY MANSOLINO as Third Base Coach, and ANTHONY SANDERS as First Base Coach.

French, 39, joins the Orioles from the Atlanta Braves, where he spent the past three seasons as the Bullpen Coach, including on the 2021 World Series champion team. Prior to his first Major League coaching role with the Braves, he spent five seasons (2016-20) as a Pitching Coach in the Houston Astros organization. In 2020, he worked as one of two Pitching Coaches at Houston’s Alternate Training Site. He then joined the Astros for the end of the regular season and playoffs as the Pitching Coach for the club’s Major League taxi squad. In 2019, he served as Triple-A Round Rock’s Pitching Coach. Under his guidance, Express pitchers set a franchise record with 1,265 strikeouts and posted 12 shutout victories, the most in the Pacific Coast League. He joined the Astros in 2016 as the Pitching Coach for Short-Season A Tri-City. In the following two seasons, he helped teams win championship titles, first as Pitching Coach for the 2017 Midwest League Champion Quad City River Bandits (A), and then as Pitching Coach for the 2018 Carolina League Champion Buies Creek Astros (A+). Before coaching in professional baseball, French spent nine seasons in similar roles with four different universities. He graduated from Concordia University (TX) in 2006 with a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Minor in Communication.

Plassmeyer, 28, was promoted from Minor League Pitching Coordinator, a role he had held since May 2022. Prior to joining the Orioles, he worked at the University of Missouri-Columbia as Pitching Coach (2022) and Director of Player Development - Baseball (2021-22). He began his coaching career at Premier Pitching and Performance (P3) in Missouri, where he served as Pitching Trainer (2019-22), Director of Remote Pitching (2019-21), and Director of Pitching (2021). Plassmeyer pitched three seasons at Bradley University (IL), where he received his Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Leadership from the Foster College of Business in 2019.

Anders, 27, was promoted from Major League Player Development Analyst, a role he had held since December 2021. He joined the Orioles organization as Double-A Bowie’s Development Coach in November of 2019, serving in that capacity through the 2021 season. Prior to joining the Orioles, Anders spent the 2019 season as a Baseball Operations Trainee with the Cincinnati Reds and the 2017-18 seasons as a Minor League Video Intern in the Kansas City Royals organization. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Radford University (VA), where he served as the Director of Player Development for the Radford Highlanders baseball team from 2015-18. He earned his Master of Sports Law and Business from Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University in 2019.

Hyde enters his sixth season as Manager after being named to the post prior to the 2019 campaign. In 2023, he led the Orioles to an AL-best 101-61 record, the first time since 1997 that the Orioles claimed the top seed in the AL. The 2023 season saw the O’s clinch their 10^th AL East title and first since 2014, as well as their first playoff berth since the 2016 AL Wild Card. Hyde guided the Orioles to their first 100-win season since 1980, joining EARL WEAVER as the only O’s skippers to manage a team to a 100-win campaign. He has now led the Birds to their first back-to-back winning seasons since 2013-14. He was voted the Baseball Writers’ Association of America AL Manager of the Year, becoming the fourth Orioles skipper to win the award. He was also voted the Sporting News AL Manager of the Year by fellow American League managers for the second consecutive year. 

The Baltimore Orioles today announced that they will host an opening ceremony for their new, state-of-the-art training academy in Guerra, Dominican Republic on Tuesday, January 16, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. AST. Several dignitaries are scheduled to attend the event, including Dominican Republic President LUIS ABINADER, Dominican Republic Vice Minister of Sports ELVIS DUARTE, and Dominican Republic Commissioner of Baseball JUNIOR NOBOA, along with Orioles Executive Vice President and General Manager MIKE ELIAS, and Orioles Vice President of International Scouting and Operations KOBY PEREZ.

“This academy is the culmination of years of hard work by so many people, and I am grateful to everyone who made this a reality,” said Elias. “For the last several years, one of the main goals of our partnership group and front office has been to excel in Latin America, and I am very pleased by what we as an organization, led by Koby Perez, have accomplished in this sector. This grand opening marks another major milestone in scouting and player development that will keep our minor league pipeline flowing and preserve winning baseball in Baltimore for years to come.”

The 22.5-acre complex is home to the Orioles’ regional facility for Caribbean, Central, and South American player development operations, and includes three full fields, a sports turf agility field, batting and pitching tunnels, administrative buildings, dormitories, and educational facilities. The complex will house more than 100 players, coaches, and staff, providing dormitory-style rooms and entertainment spaces and includes three classrooms and a computer lab, which will provide on-site learning and an education plan for each player, as well as a dining room that will offer daily nutritious meals.

“I am incredibly proud to say that the Baltimore Orioles now have one of finest training facilities in the Dominican Republic,” said Perez. “The impact this complex will have on the future success of the Orioles, and the young players that we recruit and sign, is immeasurable. Having a state-of-the-art facility will not only allow us to continue to attract top international talent to the organization but will also allow us to teach them valuable life skills off the field that will benefit them for the rest of their lives.”

The project was led by landowner and developer BRIAN MEJIA of Brison SRL. The Orioles were represented by renowned Dominican academy architect JOSÉ MELLA, who is considered one of the foremost training facility architects in the Dominican Republic, having designed around half of the current academies in the DR today.

The Orioles today announced the return of the club’s ‘Birdland Caravan,’ a three-day winter tour, that will take place from Thursday, January 25, through Saturday, January 27, at multiple locations throughout the region. The weekend-long celebration will include meet and greet photo opportunities, community projects, fan rallies, and happy hours.  

The caravan will include experiential events at Bowlero Timonium and Topgolf Germantown to give fans a unique and fun opportunity to interact with Orioles players and staff as they bowl and tee off together. Designed to take the Oriole Park experience directly to the fans, the Birdland Caravan will make stops throughout Maryland in 14 different cities throughout the three-day winter tour, including Baltimore City, Capitol Heights, Catonsville, Columbia, Frederick, Gambrills, Germantown, Hagerstown, Halethorpe, Havre De Grace, Laurel, and Timonium. Fans in Easton and Westminster will also have the opportunity to meet and take photos with the Oriole Bird and Mr. Splash while holding the American League East Champions flag. 

Current Orioles players and coaches participating in select events include KEEGAN AKIN, CODY ASCHE, MIKE BAUMANN, MATT BORGSCHULTE, DANNY COULOMBE, COLTON COWSER, RYAN FULLER, FREDI GONZÁLEZ, DL HALL, AUSTIN HAYS, RYAN KLIMEK, TONY MANSOLINO, RYAN McKENNA, JOHN MEANS, RYAN MOUNTCASTLE, CEDRIC MULLINS, JOEY ORTIZ, GRAYSON RODRIGUEZ, ANTHONY SANDERS, DILLON TATE, NICK VESPI, JACOB WEBB, TYLER WELLS, JORDAN WESTBURG, and BRUCE ZIMMERMANN along with Orioles prospects JACKSON HOLLIDAY, CHAYCE McDERMOTT, COBY MAYO, and CADE POVICH. Additionally, Orioles Executive Vice President, General Manager, and MLB Executive of the Year MIKE ELIAS and American League Manager of the Year BRANDON HYDE will attend select events throughout the weekend. 

Tickets are required for meet and greet photos, as well as the experiential events at Bowlero and Topgolf. Fans must purchase tickets in advance as availability will be limited. Proceeds from the meet and greets will go to the nonprofit organizations the caravan visits throughout the weekend. Tickets for meet and greet photos, Bowlero, and Topgolf will go on sale tomorrow, Tuesday, January 9, at 12:00 p.m. ET at Orioles.com/Caravan.  

Birdland Caravan will begin on Thursday, January 25, at Banditos Taco & Tequila in Columbia with a live Justin, Scott, and Spiegel Show on 98ROCK, the flagship station of the Orioles Radio Network. The event, sponsored by Corona, is open to fans of all ages and will feature live in-person interviews and photos with current players and coaches.  Thursday will continue with a private community project with ShareBaby, where players and staff will craft care packages of diapers and essential items for young children in Baltimore with unmet needs. In the evening, fans may purchase tickets for a screening of the new documentary 101: The Story of the 2023 Baltimore Orioles at The Charles Theatre in Station North. Tickets for the 7:00 p.m. showing will be available to purchase at Orioles.com/Caravan starting on Tuesday, January 9 at 12:00 p.m. Ticket proceeds will benefit the Y in Central Maryland.  Fans who purchase a ticket and attend the screening will receive a 101: The Story of the 2023 Baltimore Orioles movie poster autographed by Brandon Hyde.

The Orioles have made the following roster move:

• Signed undrafted free agent RHP Dominic Freeberger to a minor league contract.

The Orioles today announced that they have acquired right-handed pitcher JONATHAN HEASLEY from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for minor league right-hander CESAR ESPINAL.

Heasley, 26, did not factor in a decision while posting a 7.20 ERA (12 ER/15.0 IP) with 17 hits (5 HR), 13 total runs, one hit batter, two walks, and nine strikeouts in 12 MLB appearances for the Royals last season. He also went 2-5 with a 6.85 ERA (72 ER/94.2 IP) in 32 games (15 starts) for Triple-A Omaha. Entering 2023, 85 of his 92 professional games, including his first 24 in the big leagues, came as a starter.

A native of Plano, Texas, Heasley was selected by Kansas City in the 13^th round of the 2018 First-Year Player Draft out of Oklahoma State University. In 36 career Major League games (24 starts), he has gone 5-11 with a 5.45 ERA (81 ER/133.2 IP) and 85 strikeouts against 52 walks. He made his MLB debut on September 17, 2021 vs. Seattle (L, 4.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 HR, HBP, 2 K).

Espinal, 18, played with the DSL Orioles Orange last year, going 2-1 with a 3.18 ERA (12 ER/34.0 IP), 29 hits (2 HR), three hit batters, 11 walks, and 34 strikeouts in nine games (8 starts). The righty was originally signed by the Orioles as an international free agent on June 7, 2022 out of La Altagracia, Dominican Republic.

The Orioles’ 40-man roster currently has 38 players.

The Baltimore Orioles have agreed to a partnership with the State of Maryland, Governor Wes Moore, and the Maryland Stadium Authority that will keep the Orioles at Camden Yards for thirty years. The deal, which follows the broad, shared goals of the memorandum of understanding agreed to this fall, represents the commitment by the Orioles organization to the City of Baltimore, our fans, and the desire to reinvigorate the area in and around Oriole Park at Camden Yards and the Downtown Corridor. Additionally, this new lease agreement will spur economic growth, drive community impact, and foster the ability to maintain and build a winning, competitive, and unmatched Major League Baseball team.

“When we began conversations with the state on a bigger vision for the ballpark and the greater plan for Baltimore, we had the shared goal of reaching an end result that would benefit both the city and state. I’m proud to say we accomplished that mission,” said GREG BADER, Chief Operating Officer of the Baltimore Orioles. “Thank you to the team in Governor Wes Moore’s office and the Maryland Stadium Authority for working with us to reimagine this partnership for the next generation. After a lengthy and complex process that has ultimately achieved the parties’ shared goals, we look forward to enhancements to Camden Yards that the Baltimore community can enjoy for decades to come.”

“From the very beginning I was clear that we would only sign an agreement that puts Maryland taxpayers at the top of mind, keeps the Orioles in Baltimore long-term, and benefits the entire City of Baltimore, and that is exactly what we have done here by extending the Orioles stadium lease at Camden Yards for another thirty years,” said GOV. WES MOORE. “The Orioles are a valued part of the Baltimore community, and we are grateful to continue this partnership with a deal that follows the broad shared goals of the memorandum of understanding from earlier this year. This agreement will not only benefit the world-class fan experience at Camden Yards, but the entire city as well, and we are thrilled knowing that Maryland will continue to see playoff baseball in Baltimore for years to come.”

“This agreement ushers in a new era for the Orioles organization, our fans, visitors, and the residents of this incredible city, and does so in a way that will complement the next three decades of Oriole magic,” said KERRY WATSON, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs of the Baltimore Orioles. “What’s next is an opportunity for a campus that brings life to the city 365 days a year.”

With plans to expand, develop, and implement an envisioned Downtown Corridor and Camden Yards campus, the historic agreement sets in motion the shared objective with Governor Moore to foster business, economic stability and growth, and positive community impact.

The Washington Nationals agreed to terms on one-year contracts with right-handed pitcher Dylan Floro and third baseman Nick Senzel on Tuesday. Additionally, Washington designated infielder Jeter Downs for assignment. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements.

Floro, 32, went 5-6 with a 4.76 ERA and seven saves in 62 relief appearances in 2023 between Miami and Minnesota.  He struck out 58 hitters in 56.2 innings of work. Floro is one of only eight pitchers in Major League baseball to record at least 30 saves and 25 holds since the beginning of the 2021 season, joining new teammate Kyle Finnegan on that list. He ranks seventh among Major League relievers with 0.45 home runs allowed per 9.0 innings since the start of the 2020 season (10 HR/198.2 IP). 

Floro is 26-22 with a 3.42 ERA and 32 saves in 330 games over eight Major League seasons with the Rays (2016), Cubs (2017), Reds (2018), Dodgers (2018-20), Marlins (2021-23) and Twins (2023).

The Merced, California native has pitched in 14 Postseason games in his career and helped the Los Angeles Dodgers to the 2020 World Series title and the 2018 National League pennant. He was selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 13^th round of the 2012 First-Year Player Draft out of California State University  - Fullerton. 

Senzel, 28, is coming off a season in which he hit a career-high 13 home runs and matched a career-high with 42 RBI in 104 games for the Cincinnati Reds. He added 10 doubles, 26 walks, six stolen bases and 49 runs scored while hitting .236 with a .399 slugging percentage. A versatile defender, Senzel saw action at third base (57 G), left field (23 G), center field (18 G), right field (18 G), second base (6 G) and designated hitter (4 G) in 2023.