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.

The Washington Nationals are providing some extra cheer this holiday season with 12 DAYS OF NATITUDE, the largest single-game ticket launch in club history. More than $40,000 worth of prizes, including memorabilia and exclusive access, are up for grabs now through December 23 for fans who purchase tickets to any 2024 Nationals home game. Tickets for all games, including Opening Day, are on sale now for Nationals Fan Club members and go on sale to the general public tomorrow.

With 10 prizes given out each day throughout the sweepstakes, fans who purchase tickets to any 2024 games during 12 DAYS OF NATITUDE will have plenty of chances to win autographed baseballs, bats and jerseys, and other specialty items. Each day features a special grand prize, including exclusive experiences with Nationals manager Davey Martinez and players like Lane Thomas and Stone Garrett, an all-inclusive luxury suite experience for 16, and more. Prizes will be unveiled throughout the sweepstakes at nats.com/12Days.

Single-game tickets go on sale to the general public Wednesday, Dec. 13, while Nationals Fan Club members can purchase single-game tickets beginning today. Fans who purchase tickets to any 2024 games during 12 DAYS OF NATITUDE are automatically entered into the sweepstakes and are eligible to win that day’s prize or any of the following day’s prizes. A complete list of rules is available at nats.com/12DaysRules, and tickets can be purchased at nats.com/12Days.

The Orioles today announced that they have agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher CRAIG KIMBREL on a one-year contract for the 2024 season with a club option for 2025.

Kimbrel, 35, pitched in 71 games for the Phillies in 2023, the second time in his career making at least 70 appearances in a season (79, 2011). He went 8-6 with 23 saves and a 3.26 ERA (25 ER/69.0 IP) with 44 hits (10 HR), 28 total runs allowed, 28 walks (1 IBB), four hit-by-pitches, and 94 strikeouts last year. In his final 57 appearances of the season, he pitched to a 2.21 ERA (14 ER/57.0 IP), including a 1.50 ERA (2 ER/12.0 IP) in 12 September games. Kimbrel went 0-2 with three saves and a 6.00 ERA (4 ER/6.0 IP) in seven Postseason appearances in 2023.

The nine-time All-Star and 2018 World Series champion with the Red Sox is one of eight pitchers in MLB history with at least 400 saves. He is second among active players with 417 saves, three behind Boston’s Kenley Jansen. Kimbrel is the only pitcher to win both the Mariano Rivera American League Reliever of the Year Award (2017) and Trevor Hoffman National League Reliever of the Year Award (2014). He was the unanimous NL Rookie of the Year in 2011 with the Braves after setting the MLB record for the most saves by a rookie with 46. His accolades also include winning 2013 Delivery Man of the Year and the Rolaids Relief Man Award in 2012.

A native of Huntsville, Ala., Kimbrel was selected by the Braves in the third round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft out of Wallace State Community College (AL). He made his Major League debut with Atlanta on May 7, 2010, and has also pitched for the Padres, Cubs, and White Sox during his 14-year career. He’s gone 49-42 in 780 career games with 417 saves in 470 opportunities at the Major League level. Among players with at least 170 save chances, his 88.7 save percentage is the fifth-best all time. He's also secured 10 Postseason saves, tied for eighth all time.

The Orioles’ 40-man roster currently has 37 players.

The Washington Nationals selected infielder Nasim Nuñez in the Major League phase of the 2023 Rule 5 Draft on Wednesday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.

Nuñez, 23, joins the organization after spending his first four professional seasons in the Miami Marlins system. He was set to enter the 2024 season as the No. 6 prospect in Miami’s system, according to Baseball America. He was also cited by Baseball America as having the “best strike-zone discipline,” being the “fastest baserunner,” the “best defensive infielder” and having the “best infield arm” among Marlins Minor Leaguers. Nuñez was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2023 SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game as well as an Arizona Fall League Rising Star in 2023.

A switch-hitter, Nuñez led the Southern League and ranked tied for third in all of Double-A with 52 stolen bases and was fourth with 87 walks in 125 games with Double-A Pensacola in 2023. He also ranked among Southern League hitters in runs (T1^st, 84), walks (3^rd, 87) and hits (10^th, 110). Nuñez finished the season batting .224 with 11 doubles, two triples, five homers, 43, RBI, 87 walks, 52 stolen bases and 84 runs scored. He appeared in 95 games at shortstop, 29 games at second base and two games as the designated hitter.

In 2022, Nuñez ranked tied for third in all of Minor League Baseball with 70 stolen bases. He has 155 career stolen bases since the start of the 2019 season, fifth-most all of Minor League Baseball over this span.

Nuñez was rated the best defensive shortstop in the 2019 First-Year Player Draft by MLB.com. He was selected by the Marlins in the second round out of Collins Hill High School in Suwanee, Georgia.

Just in time for the holidays, the Washington Nationals today unveiled highlights of the club’s 2024 promotional schedule, featuring an exciting array of exclusive bobbleheads, collectibles and experiences for adults and kids alike.

Several fan-favorites return, such as City Connect apparel, player bobbleheads and more, joining plenty of new giveaways including Nationals-themed hockey, football and soccer jerseys. Also new this year, the Nationals are expanding multiple popular theme days into theme weekends – with three days each celebrating the 2019 World Champion Nationals, the 1924 World Champion Senators, and the ever-popular STAR WARS™ franchise.

Additional exciting special ticket events like Night OUT, Ladies Night and more will be announced in early 2024. 

Five-game ticket packs focused on bobbleheads, kids giveaways and other key promotional bundles are currently on sale at nats.com/5Pack. Single-game tickets for all home games go on sale starting next week. Fans can sign up for the free Nationals Fan Club at nats.com/FanClub to receive early access, insider information and additional offers.

Giveaways

The Orioles today announced that individual tickets for all Spring Training games at Ed Smith Stadium will go on sale Tuesday, December 12, at 10:00 a.m. ET. The club also announced its Spring Training game times and the promotional schedule, which is highlighted by five giveaway items.

Beginning December 12, fans can purchase individual tickets for the Spring Training season. Birdland Members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets in advance as part of a members-only pre-sale on Thursday, December 7. In addition, fans can sign-up for the Sarasota 365 newsletter for pre-sale access on Friday, December 8. All tickets must be purchased online at Orioles.com/SpringTickets. The Ed Smith Stadium Box Office will open for in-person sales at a later date to-be-announced.

The 2024 Spring Training promotional schedule features giveaways and experiences for fans of all ages. Again this year, the Orioles invite children and seniors to run the bases after select home games. Kids Run the Bases, presented by The Out-of-Door Academy, is open to all fans ages four to 14, and will return following every Sunday home game, while Seniors Stroll the Bases, presented by Sunways Senior Living Concierge, will return following each Monday and Tuesday home game for fans age 60 and older.

The promotional schedule is highlighted by special event days such as Heroes Day (February 29), presented by Cheney Brothers, Youth Sports Day (March 10) presented by First Watch, and Fireworks Night (March 23), as well as various giveaways, including a Magnet Schedule (February 24), a Spring Training T-shirt (March 8), a Chick-fil-A Plush Cow (March 13), an Orioles Rally Towel (March 17), and an O’s Cap (March 22).

During every Saturday and Sunday home game, the Orioles will honor members of the Sarasota community who are selflessly working or volunteering to improve the lives of others through the Birdland Community Heroes program. To nominate a hero, visit Orioles.com/Spring.

The next generation of Washington Nationals stars will take center stage in ON DECK: NATIONALS FUTURES GAME on Tuesday, March 26, at 12:05 p.m. at Nationals Park. Serving as the exciting start to an Opening Week full of celebrations, this exhibition contest will showcase top prospects from across the organization’s Minor League system with current Nationals Major Leaguers in front of the hometown crowd.

“We’re incredibly thankful for the continued support of our fans in D.C., and we can’t wait for them to get a look at some of the players who will make up our next championship-caliber roster,” said Nationals President of Baseball Operations & General Manager Mike Rizzo. “Players like James Wood, Dylan Crews, Brady House and Robert Hassell have certainly received a lot of attention, and I know that once our fans have the chance to see a full lineup of the young guys in our system, there will be even more of reason to be optimistic about where we’re headed.”

ON DECK: NATIONALS FUTURES GAME takes place less than a week before the Nationals open the 2024 home season, facing the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday, April 1, at 4:05 p.m. Single-game tickets go on sale in early December, and the 2024 Nationals Promotional Calendar will be announced next week. Fans can sign up for the free Nationals Fan Club at nats.com/FanClub to receive early access, insider information and additional offers.

Players participating in ON DECK: NATIONALS FUTURES GAME will be announced in March.

Major League Baseball tonight announced that Orioles right-handed pitcher FÉLIX BAUTISTA has won the 2023 Mariano Rivera American League Reliever of the Year Award. He was a unanimous choice by the voting panel, which was comprised of six all-time great relievers. Bautista becomes the second Orioles player to win the award, joining left-hander ZACK BRITTON in 2016.

Bautista, 28, went 8-2 with a 1.48 ERA (10 ER/61.0 IP) and a 0.92 WHIP in his 56 appearances for the AL East Champion Orioles, who finished with the AL’s best record (101-61) for the first time since 1997. The Dominican Republic native converted 33 of his 39 save opportunities, including five of more than 1.0 inning. He led MLB relievers with 110 strikeouts, the third-most by an O’s reliever in team history (since 1954), and struck out multiple batters in 38 of his 56 outings, the most multi-strikeout games in MLB this season. Bautista recorded the fastest strikeout pitch by an Orioles pitcher in the pitch-tracking era (since 2008) on June 28 vs. Cincinnati, striking out Spencer Steer at 103.3 miles per hour.

 “The Mountain” was named to his first career All-Star team and earned AL Reliever of the Month honors for April, June, and July. He was also named the Baseball Digest/eBay MLB Relief Pitcher of the Year. He was placed on the Injured List in late August before undergoing ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (Tommy John) in October.

Bautista finished ahead of AL runners-up Emmanuel Clase (CLE) and Jordan Romano (TOR). Bautista and Trevor Hoffman National League Reliever of the Year Award winner Devin Williams (MIL) will each receive a special trophy that models the likeness of Rivera and Hoffman, respectively, pitching during their Hall of Fame careers. The Rivera and Hoffman Awards replaced MLB’s “Delivery Man of the Year Award,” which was presented to one winner in all of Major League Baseball from 2005-2013. These awards continue a longstanding baseball tradition of honoring the game’s top relief pitchers.

The Baltimore Orioles today announced home game times for the 2024 season, including the introduction of 4:05 p.m. ET start times for all Saturday home games, except for the game against the Texas Rangers on June 29, which will begin at 7:15 p.m. The schedule also features the expansion of 6:35 p.m. start times to include all weeknight Monday-Thursday home games throughout the season, except for the game against the Houston Astros on Thursday, August 22, which will begin at 7:15 p.m. The earlier start time, which was introduced in 2023 for weeknight home games before Memorial Day and after Labor Day, allows families with children to enjoy more games on school nights and throughout the summer.

For the first time since 2018, the Orioles will open the season at Oriole Park when they host the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday, March 28, at 3:05 p.m. The home schedule features 13 Saturday afternoon games beginning at 4:05 p.m., 29 weeknight 6:35 p.m. games, and 10 mid-week day games. Home Friday night games will remain at 7:05 p.m. All Sunday home games are scheduled to start at 1:35 p.m. and conclude with Kids Run the Bases for all children ages four to 14. All dates and times are subject to change.

Mark your calendars: 2024 Birdland Memberships go on sale Thursday, November 30, at 10 a.m. Offering 10 diverse plan options, these memberships include exclusive benefits such as access to Opening Day and Postseason tickets, VIP experiences, and entry to the Birdland Membership Clubhouse. Members also enjoy up to 30 percent off on concessions, parking, and merchandise, along with flexible ticket exchanges and no-interest payment plans. For more details and to make a purchase, visit Orioles.com/Memberships.

The Orioles made the following roster moves:

• Tendered 2024 contracts to LHP Danny Coulombe, OF Austin Hays, LHP Cole Irvin, LHP John Means, INF Ryan Mountcastle, OF Cedric Mullins, INF/OF Ryan O'Hearn, LHP Cionel Pérez, OF Anthony Santander, RHP Dillon Tate, INF Ramón Urías, RHP Jacob Webb, and RHP Tyler Wells, as well as all pre-arbitration 40-man players.
• Agreed to terms with LHP Keegan Akin, OF Sam Hilliard, INF/OF Jorge Mateo, and OF Ryan McKenna on a one-year contracts for the 2024 season, avoiding arbitration.

The Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) tonight announced that Orioles Manager BRANDON HYDE has been voted the American League Manager of the Year. This marks his first career Manager of the Year honor.

Under Hyde’s leadership, the 2023 Orioles claimed the club’s 10^th AL East title and first since 2014, as well as their first playoff berth since the 2016 AL Wild Card. The Orioles finished the year with an AL-best 101-61 record, their first time claiming the AL’s top seed since 1997. Hyde guided the club to their first 100-win season since 1980 and tied the 1971 team for the fourth-most wins in club history (since 1954), joining National Baseball Hall of Famer EARL WEAVER as the only other O’s skipper to manage a team to a 100-win campaign. He led the Birds to their first back-to-back winning seasons since 2013-14 following last year’s 83 wins.

On August 23 vs. Toronto, Hyde collected his 292^nd managerial win, moving into sole possession of fifth-most in Orioles history. Less than two weeks later, he secured his 300^th win on September 4 at Los Angeles-AL, joining Weaver (1,480), BUCK SHOWALTER (669), PAUL RICHARDS (517), and HANK BAUER (407) as managers with 300 wins in an O’s uniform. He managed his 700^th game with the Orioles on September 22 at Cleveland, joining Weaver (2,541), Showalter (1,353), Richards (1,063), and Bauer (726) as Orioles managers to reach 700 career games.

The Orioles went the entire regular season (52 series) without being swept for the first time in club history, becoming the fourth MLB team since 2000 to accomplish the feat, joining the Atlanta Braves teams of 2022 (51 series), 2004 (52 series), and 2002 (52 series). The Orioles have gone 91 consecutive regular-season series of at least two decisions (no ties) without being swept, the fourth-longest streak in MLB history according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Against AL East foes this year, the Orioles went 32-20 (.615), the seventh-best record against the division in club history. The Birds won the season series against the Blue Jays (10-3), Rays (8-5), Red Sox (7-6), and Yankees (7-6), the first time since 2014 that the O’s won the season series against each of their division opponents. The pitching staff set a single-season franchise record with 1,431 strikeouts, surpassing the mark of 1,248 set in 2016 and matched in 2019. The club’s 48 comeback wins paced the AL and were tied with Cincinnati for the most in MLB. For the first time since 1983, the Orioles secured a winning record in each full calendar month, per the Elias Sports Bureau.

The Orioles were one of the youngest teams in the majors this season. According to Baseball Reference, their average batter age of 27.2 years was the seventh-youngest in the majors, while their average pitcher age of 28.4 years was the 11^th-youngest in the majors. A total of six players made their Major League debuts for Hyde’s Orioles in 2023, including top overall prospects COLTON COWSER, HESTON KJERSTAD, JOEY ORTIZ, GRAYSON RODRIGUEZ, and JORDAN WESTBURG.