CINCINNATI – And now the grind begins.

With the hoopla of Opening Day – and the traditional just-in-case-of-rainout off-day – now behind them, the Nationals and Reds get down to business. There will be fewer fans and media in attendance. Things won’t be magnified as much. It’s just another ballgame today.

Except for Trey Lipscomb, who makes his major league debut after officially having his contract purchased from Triple-A Rochester, with Nick Senzel going on the 10-day injured list with a fractured right thumb. Lipscomb made all kinds of headlines this spring with his .400 batting average and solid defensive play at multiple positions, but this is still a big leap for the 23-year-old, who only two years ago was playing at Tennessee.

The Nats will try to make it easy on Lipscomb (who starts at third base and bats ninth) by doing more at the plate against Reds flamethrower Hunter Greene than they did against Opening Day starter Frankie Montas. And they’ll hope to get a better showing from Patrick Corbin than they got from Josiah Gray. Though it’s worth noting there’s a strong wind blowing out to left field here today. It’s already a small ballpark under normal conditions. Corbin is going to have to do his best to keep the ball out of the air.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS at CINCINNATI REDS
Where: Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati
Gametime: 4:10 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN2, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, MLB.com
Weather: Partly cloudy, 74 degrees, wind 17 mph out to left field

Reliever Jacob Webb was reinstated from the paternity list this morning after the birth of daughter Hudson, and the Orioles optioned left-hander Nick Vespi to Triple-A Norfolk.

The Orioles play their second game of the season this afternoon with Gunnar Henderson leading off again.

Ryan O’Hearn is the designated hitter and Jordan Westburg is playing second base.

Ramón Urías stays at third base.

Grayson Rodriguez broke camp as the No. 2 starter. He allowed five runs and 16 hits with eight walks and 10 strikeouts in 14 2/3 innings.

One of many good things about the fact the 2024 Orioles season has begun is that we will stop hearing about the Texas series and the Orioles being swept in the American League Division Series.

A new year thankfully leads to media asking less about that and the players certainly are glad to stop answering for it and about it.

“I use it for fuel a little bit. But that was last year and this is a new year,” the O’s Gunnar Henderson said this week, probably speaking for just about all of us.

After a 101-win season followed up by their convincing Opening Day romp over the Los Angeles Angels, the O’s are seen as World Series contenders for this season.

They are now the hunted and not the hunters, so to speak.

CINCINNATI – Despite their limited action in free agency over the winter, the Nationals’ payroll has gone up a bit this year, a product almost entirely of returning players whose salaries increased via arbitration.

The Nats’ Opening Day payroll (counting 26 active players, plus five more who began the season on the injured list) is $107,566,629, according to Spotrac, which ranks 21st among all major league clubs. One year ago, that figure was about $94.5 million, which ranked 22nd.

Those totals count all money owed to players during the upcoming year, not any money that will be paid at a later date via deferrals.

The Nationals did very little in free agency during the offseason, signing only three players to major league contracts: Joey Gallo ($5 million guaranteed), Dylan Floro ($2.25 million) and Nick Senzel ($2 million). They did sign four more veteran free agents to minor league deals during spring training who wound up making the roster: Eddie Rosario ($2 million guaranteed), Jesse Winker ($1.5 million), Matt Barnes ($1.5 million) and Derek Law ($1.5 million).

All told, the Nats spent only $15.75 million on free agents, down from $18.25 million the previous offseason.

Five Orioles made their first Opening Day roster Thursday. Four of them were easy calls, anticipated over the winter or definitely late in camp.

Grayson Rodriguez was in the rotation after last spring’s surprise demotion, with the only question whether he’d be the No. 2 or 3 starter. He gets the ball this afternoon.

Yennier Cano made his 2023 debut on April 14 in Chicago, with the Orioles desperate for bullpen help, and became an All-Star setup man and backup closer. He was a lock this spring to repeat those responsibilities after the Craig Kimbrel signing.

Infielder Jordan Westburg made his major league debut on June 26 and was set for 2024, with most of his work done at second and third base but also with a chance to play a little shortstop. Outfielder Colton Cowser really had to win a job after reaching the majors on July 5 at Yankee Stadium and going 7-for-61, and he responded by batting .304 with six home runs and a 1.135 OPS in 18 exhibition games.

Cowser broke the news to the beat crew on the final day that he made the club.

CINCINNATI – The Nationals had a plan all mapped out for Trey Lipscomb.

Lipscomb, the last player demoted from the spring training roster, would report to Triple-A Rochester, where he would get the bulk of his playing time at second base. There would be occasional starts at both shortstop and third base, but manager Davey Martinez wanted the versatile infielder to start getting comfortable at the position he has played the least coming up through the minors.

“It was a new position for him coming into the spring,” Martinez said around 1:45 p.m. Thursday, shortly before his team took the field at Great American Ball Park for batting practice. “So that was a big reason why we sent him over there, to get him accustomed to turning two all the time. And to be ready when he’s called upon.”

Maybe 30 minutes after making that statement, Martinez saw Nick Senzel leave the field with his right hand in a cup of ice. A short while late, the Nationals got the official word: Senzel had fractured his thumb trying to field an errant grounder during pregame warmups.

And just like that, the plan for Lipscomb was thrown out the window.

CINCINNATI – A season of renewed optimism ran headfirst into a brick wall this afternoon. Opening Day saw Josiah Gray get lit up by a 33-year-old journeyman, the Nationals lineup get shut down by a 31-year-old making his first start in two seasons and their starting third baseman get taken out by a pregame ground ball.

An 8-2 loss to the Reds – a game that essentially was over after three innings – was demoralizing enough. The injury to Nick Senzel might as well have been a kick to the groin, one that came 90 minutes before the season’s first pitch was even thrown.

Senzel, the former Cincinnati first-round pick who signed for a modest $2 million over the winter in hopes of resurrecting his career, was fielding grounders during batting practice when a ball struck him on the thumb. Instead of trotting out of the dugout with his new teammates in his old ballpark for player introductions, he was getting an X-ray, which revealed a broken right thumb, according to manager Davey Martinez.

"It's awful," Martinez said. "He was in a good spot, and we were in a good spot with him. He was excited for today. And then just a freak accident."

"I was warming up in the training room, and I see him roll in," Gray said. "I'm not really paying attention, but I hear him saying something happened. I feel terrible for him, because obviously the significance of coming back here - he had a long career here - and for it to happen in pregame as well, that's a tough blow for him. I feel for him."

CINCINNATI – And away we go!

Forget about anything that happened last season. Forget about anything that happened over the winter. Forget about anything that happened during spring training. It all made for great conversation and debate, but it doesn’t matter anymore. Starting today, we have actual baseball to watch and evaluate.

The 20th season of Washington Nationals baseball begins on the road. It’s actually the first time the Nats have opened on the road since 2018, when rookie manager Davey Martinez debuted with a win in … Cincinnati! This is the eighth road opener in club history, and it’s strange to think the only repeat towns during that time are New York and Cincinnati of all places.

This is also only the fourth Opening Day against someone from outside the National League East. The others: at the Cubs in 2012, home against the Yankees in the bizarre 2020 season. Among division foes, the Nationals have faced the Mets and Braves five times apiece, the Marlins four times and the Phillies twice.

The last 12 season openers have seen only three starting pitchers take the mound: Max Scherzer (six times), Stephen Strasburg (four) and Patrick Corbin (two). But today, the Nats pass the ceremonial baton to someone new: Josiah Gray, who makes his first career Opening Day start, against the franchise that drafted him in 2018 (and then traded him to the Dodgers six months later).

CINCINNATI – Victor Robles is on the Nationals’ Opening Day roster for the sixth straight year. He is not, however, in the starting lineup for the first time.

Opting for what he hopes will be a better offensive matchup, manager Davey Martinez decided to start veteran Eddie Rosario in center field, with Jesse Winker in left field, for today’s season opener against the Reds.

“They’re both really good against right-handed pitching,” said Martinez, whose team is facing Cincinnati righty Frankie Montas. “I looked at the matchups, and I like the matchups. … This is the matchup I wanted to go with today.”

It’s an alignment the Nationals tinkered with during spring training, after Rosario signed a minor league deal in early March. The 32-year-old has played almost exclusively in left field throughout his long career with the Twins, Guardians and Braves, but he does have 58 games of big league experience in center field (albeit none since 2019).

Martinez, though, didn’t want to sit Winker, another mid-spring acquisition who struggled last season in Milwaukee but produced a .942 OPS in Florida over the last month to earn a spot on the team. And with Joey Gallo (a two-time Gold Glove Award outfielder) starting at first base, Joey Meneses is forced to be the designated hitter.

The Orioles have made the following roster moves:

• Recalled LHP Nick Vespi from Triple-A Norfolk.
• Placed RHP Jacob Webb on the Paternity List.
• Placed RHP Kyle Bradish on the 15-day Injured List with a right UCL sprain, retroactive to March 25.
• Placed LHP John Means on the 15-day Injured List with a left forearm strain, retroactive to March 25.
• Designated OF Ryan McKenna and INF/OF Tyler Nevin for assignment.
• Placed C Michael Pérez on the Major League Taxi Squad.

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

The Orioles today announced the club’s 2024 Opening Day roster. The 26-man roster includes:

RIGHT-HANDED PITCHERS (8)

Mike Baumann

Corbin Burnes

The Washington Nationals announced their 2024 Opening Day roster and corresponding moves on Thursday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements.

 Selected the contracts of right-handed pitchers Matt Barnes and Derek Law as well as outfielders Eddie Rosario and Jesse Winker.

• Placed right-handed pitchers Cade Cavalli (Tommy John Surgery), Mason Thompson (Tommy John Surgery) and Stephen Strasburg (Thoracic Outlet Syndrome) as well as left-handed pitcher Jose A. Ferrer (left lat strain) on the 60-day Injured List.
• Placed outfielder Stone Garrett (recovery from left ankle reconstruction surgery) on the 10-day Injured List (retroactive to March 25). 

Barnes, 33, joins the Nationals after a strong Spring Training in which he retired 14 of the 15 batters he faced across five outings. He struck out five batters without issuing a walk along the way. Barnes has converted 47 saves and struck out 11.44 batters per 9.0 innings across 453 Major League appearances. Prior to his 2023 season in Miami, Barnes spent nine seasons (2014-22) with the Boston Red Sox where he was an American League All-Star in 2021 and key member of their bullpen en route to winning the 2018 World Series. His five seasons (2016-19, 2021) of at least 60 appearances are the most in Boston Red Sox history. During that 2021 All-Star season, he recorded a career-high 24 saves and struck out 84 batters in 54.2 innings pitched.

Law, 33, is coming off a strong 2023 season in which he Led the National League and ranked third in Major League Baseball by allowing only 7.7% of inherited runners to score (2-for-26) in his first full season with the Cincinnati Reds. He pitched to a 3.60 ERA – his best since his rookie year in 2016 (2.13) – in 54 games. Law struck out 12 batters, allowed just three hits (.100 opp. AVG) and did not allow an earned run in in 9.1 innings during Spring Training.

CINCINNATI – The day has come. The 2024 baseball season begins later today, here in Cincinnati where the Nationals face the Reds in the opener of a three-game series. And for the first time in a while, there’s some genuine optimism surrounding the team.

Not enough optimism for anyone to predict this season will extend into October, mind you. But consider this: A year ago, four of us predicted the Nats would lose at least 100 games. This year, nobody is that pessimistic about their chances. Progress!

This is, hard to believe, the 20th season of Nationals baseball. And it’s the 15th season of Opening Day predictions by the beat crew. Most of the names have changed. Some left for a few years and then returned. All are convinced they’re smarter than anyone else in the group. Time will tell.

As always, I’m grateful to every one of them for participating in this exercise. And as always, we’ll revisit every one of these predictions at season’s end and cringe at how little we actually knew …

WHICH NATIONALS WILL BE SELECTED FOR THE ALL-STAR GAME?
Bobby Blanco (MASNsports.com) – CJ Abrams
Jessica Camerato (MLB.com) – CJ Abrams
Craig Heist (106.7 The Fan) – Josiah Gray, Keibert Ruiz
Chelsea Janes (Washington Post) – CJ Abrams
Andrew Golden (Washington Post) – MacKenzie Gore
Bill Ladson (MLB.com honorary) – Josiah Gray, Jake Irvin
Spencer Nusbaum (Washington Post) – MacKenzie Gore
Mark Zuckerman (MASNsports.com) – Kyle Finnegan

Washington Nationals Philanthropies, the official charitable arm of the Washington Nationals Baseball Club, hosted its annual signature fundraising event Tuesday night, honoring former Mayor of Washington, D.C., Anthony “Tony” Williams with its annual Power of Baseball Award. The Nationals Homecoming Gala, presented by KPMG, raised nearly $1 million to further Nationals Philanthropies’ community impact work. Held at held at The Anthem at The Wharf, the event was attended by members of the Lerner family, the Washington Nationals baseball club and front office, and representatives from several prominent local organizations and philanthropists. Auction items can continue to be bid upon until 8 p.m. ET tonight, March 27, at nats.com/Homecoming.

The Power of Baseball Award, presented by The Annette M. and Theodore N. Lerner Family Foundation, is Washington Nationals Philanthropies’ most illustrious award, and recognizes an individual, corporation, organization or local group that embodies the positive character and level of achievement exemplified throughout the game of baseball.

“As we begin the 20th season of Washington Nationals baseball, it is my privilege to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of Mayor Williams,” said Marla Lerner Tannenbaum, founding board chair of Washington Nationals Philanthropies and principal owner of Washington Nationals. “His vision for Washington, D.C., his exemplary leadership, and his unwavering belief in the power of baseball make him the undeniable choice for this year's Award.” 

Williams served as Mayor of Washington, D.C., from 1999 to 2007, and is widely credited with playing a major role in bringing professional baseball back to D.C. through his collaboration with Major League Baseball. As part of this work, the idea for the Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy was born and written directly into the agreement that brought Nationals Park to Washington, D.C.

“We owe a debt of gratitude to our former Mayor, Anthony Williams, tonight’s Power of Baseball Award honoree, without whom the dream of Major League Baseball and the Academy in Washington might have remained just that—a dream,” said Tal Alter, CEO of Nationals Philanthropies.

The Orioles today announced plans to welcome fans back to Oriole Park for the 2024 season during Major League Baseball’s Opening Day on Thursday, March 28, at 3:05 p.m. ET against the Los Angeles Angels.

Festivities will begin by 2:30 p.­m. with a special pre-game ceremony emceed by Orioles broadcaster KEVIN BROWN. Opening Day celebrations will feature:

• National Anthem: The MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY CHOIR will perform the national anthem from the sod farm prior to the game. A soloist from the choir will also perform "God Bless America" from on top of the Orioles dugout during the seventh inning.
• Moment of Silence: The Orioles will hold a special moment of silence following the tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, honoring the victims and their families and sharing an appreciation for our city’s brave first responders who immediately stepped into action.
  
  
• Flag Drop: A 30’ x 42’ flag from Fort McHenry will be l­­­owered from the batter’s eye during the national anthem performance. The flag is a replica of the one that flew over Fort McHenry when Francis Scott Key wrote the Star-Spangled Banner. Individuals supported by The Arc Baltimore will help unfurl the American flag. The Arc Baltimore supports people with developmental disabilities to lead fulfilling lives with a sense of belonging, purpose, and meaningful relationships.
  
  
• Honor Guard: Colors will be presented by members of THE BALTIMORE CITY POLICE HONOR GUARD and BALTIMORE CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT HONOR GUARD.
  
  
• Flag Kids: Children from the YMCA of Central Maryland will line the orange carpet, holding Orioles flags during the pregame ceremony.
  
  
• Ceremonial First Pitch: As an ode to DAVID RUBENSTEIN, whose father was a postal worker, the Orioles will welcome AUBREE SINGLETARY, the child of a Baltimore City postal worker, to throw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the game. National Baseball Hall of Famer and member of the new ownership group, CAL RIPKEN, JR., will catch the pitch. Singletary is a fourth-grade student at Harlem Park Elementary/Middle School, where the Orioles will provide community support all year long.
  
  
• Mo Gaba’s Fan of the Year: The Orioles will recognize 9-year-old CARTER as the Mo Gaba Fan of the Year. A third-grade student at Timonium Elementary School, Carter was one of the first Orioles fans whom DAVID RUBENSTEIN met while Carter and his mother, Laurie, were shopping at the Orioles Team Store on Monday, March 4. That serendipitous meeting occurred when Carter and his mother took a spontaneous trip to the Team Store, with the opportunity for Carter to pick out any Orioles jersey of his choosing. Now Carter, who plays travel baseball for the Carroll Manor Cardinals, will line up alongside some of his favorite Orioles, including Gunnar Henderson, Cedric Mullins, and Adley Rutschman.
  
  
• Ceremonial “Play Ball”: Representatives of the new ownership group, including DAVID RUBENSTEIN, MICHAEL AROUGHETI, MITCHELL GOLDSTEIN, and MICHAEL SMITH, will yell the ceremonial “Play Ball” prior to the game, ushering in a new chapter of Orioles baseball.
  
  
• Birdland Community Hero, presented by BGE: Again this year, the Orioles will honor and recognize those in our community who have distinguished themselves by selflessly volunteering in fields that care for, serve, teach, protect, and improve the lives of others through the Birdland Community Heroes program, presented by BGE. On Thursday, the Orioles will recognize SARA ARTES, volunteer Executive Director of Corner Team, Inc., an organization that she co-founded in 2017 to establish a safe space for her community’s sports, education, and leadership development. As Executive Director, she oversees a small group of part-time staff and a robust volunteer team. The organization impacts over 300 youth and families annually through boxing and fitness classes, enrichment programs, community service, and academic and mentorship initiatives. As part of her recognition the Orioles Charitable Foundation will make a $5,000 donation to Corner Team, Inc.
  
  
• Budweiser Clydesdales: The world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales will parade from Lot C to Camden Street from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  
  
• Giveaway: All fans in attendance will receive an Orioles rally towel.
  
  
• Opening Day Auction: Fans will have the opportunity to bid on game-used memorabilia from Opening Day to benefit the Orioles Charitable Foundation and special causes such as maternal health equity, military programs, Birdland Community Heroes, youth baseball and softball, and adopt-a-school. The auction will run on Orioles.com/Auction from Thursday, March 28, at 12 p.m. through Sunday, April 7, at 10 p.m. 

For information and reminders on accommodations at Oriole Park, visit Orioles.com/AtoZ.

The gates to Oriole Park at Camden Yards will open three hours before first pitch, at 12:00 p.m. Parking lots will open at 11:00 a.m. Fans attending Opening Day are encouraged to be in their seats, and fans at home are encouraged to tune to MASN, by 2:20 p.m. to enjoy the Opening Day pregame festivities.

Rubenstein: Our eyes are on returning a World Series trophy to Baltimore 

Baltimore, MD – Major League Baseball owners today unanimously approved the sale of the Baltimore Orioles to a group led by DAVID RUBENSTEIN.

Rubenstein, who announced his intent to buy the controlling stake of the Orioles from the Angelos family in January, leads a diverse investor group, which includes MICHAEL AROUGHETI, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Ares Management, MITCHELL GOLDSTEIN, and MICHAEL SMITH, Co-Heads of the Ares Management Credit Group (together joint owners of Charm City Sports Partners, LLC).

Subject to obtaining Major League Baseball approval, it is anticipated that the following will become part of the Orioles ownership group: 

CAL RIPKEN, JR., Orioles legend and National Baseball Hall of Fame Member
MICHELE KANG, businesswoman and owner of the Washington Spirit
THE HON. KURT SCHMOKE, former Baltimore Mayor
GRANT HILL, Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer
THE HON. MIKE BLOOMBERG, business leader and philanthropist
BILL MILLER, investor, philanthropist, and lifelong Orioles fan
RICK RIEDER, business leader and lifelong Orioles fan
GREG BARONI, business leader and lifelong Orioles fan
STAN, ALLISON & ALBERT CHEN, business leaders and lifelong Orioles fans
KATE RAMSDELL, lifelong Orioles fan
LAUREN TABAK FASS, attorney and philanthropist
JASON REESE, business leader 

The Orioles today announced that they have signed infielder/outfielder TONY KEMP to a 2024 Major League contract.

Kemp, 32, appeared in eight Cactus League games with Cincinnati after signing as a minor league free agent with an invite to MLB Spring Training on February 24, slashing .333/.391/.619 (7-for-21) with one double, one triple, one homer, two runs scored, five RBI, and two walks. He spent all of last season with Oakland, batting .209/.303/.304 (75-for-359) with 13 doubles, three triples, five home runs, 42 runs scored, 27 RBI, 44 walks, six hit-by-pitches, and a career-high 15 stolen bases in 124 games for the Athletics. Kemp appeared in 65 games (53 starts) in left field and 57 (46 starts) at second base for the A’s in 2023.

A native of Franklin, Tenn., Kemp has appeared in 734 games with Houston, Chicago-NL, and Oakland while slashing a combined .238/.325/.352 (460-for-1936) with 87 doubles, 15 triples, 35 home runs, 261 runs scored, 184 RBI, 226 walks, 33 hit-by-pitches, and 53 stolen bases. The Cubs acquired him from the Astros in exchange for catcher Martín Maldonado on July 31, 2019, and Chicago sent him to the A’s in exchange for infielder/outfielder Alfonso Rivas on January 13, 2020. During his eight MLB seasons, Kemp has appeared defensively at all three outfield spots, as well as second base and shortstop. He was originally selected by Houston in the fifth round of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft out of Vanderbilt University (TN). 

To make room on the 40-man roster, infielder/outfielder NICK MATON has been designated for assignment. The Orioles’ 40-man roster currently has 40 players.

From the moment they traded Max Scherzer, Trea Turner and six others in July 2021, the Nationals stopped paying attention to their won-loss record.

Managers, general managers and players can say all they want about competing every single day and believing they’re going to win far more than they lose, but deep down everyone associated with the Nats knew at that moment the organizational priority no longer involved winning percentage at the major league level.

That continued through the 2022 season, which also saw the club deal Juan Soto in the biggest trade of them all, and then through the 2023 season, even though the Nationals’ win total ultimately did improve by a healthy amount from 55 to 71.

Now, as the rebuild enters its third full season, with several core players already on the roster and several more coming soon, it’s fair to ask for the first time in a long time: Should the Nats be judged primarily by their record?

“I think we’re at a point right now where it’s wins and losses,” right-hander Josiah Gray said. “We want to improve on last year.”

Top-100 prospects Dylan Crews, James Wood and Brady House will lead the full Washington Nationals Futures Team roster at ON DECK: NATIONALS FUTURES GAME on Tuesday, March 26 at Nationals Park. This game serves as the exciting start to an Opening Week full of celebrations, showcasing top prospects from across the organization’s Minor League system with current Nationals Major Leaguers. First pitch is set for 12:05 p.m. with live coverage on MASN, 106.7 FM The Fan and in Spanish on DC 87.7 FM and La Pantera 100.7 FM/1220 AM.

The following prospects will make up the Futures Team:

Pitchers: Brendan Collins, DJ Herz (L), Joe La Sorsa (L), Orlando Ribalta, Jackson Rutledge, Tyler Schoff, Jarlin Susana, Amos Willingham

Catchers: Drew Millas, Israel Pineda, Maxwell Romero Jr.

Infielders: Darren Baker, Armando Cruz, Brady House, Trey Lipscomb, Kevin Made, Yohandy Morales, TJ White

While the Orioles spend the 2024 season trying to repeat as division champions, fans will be reintroduced to one of Baltimore’s iconic brews - which also repeats if you chug it too fast.

Natty Boh is coming back to Camden Yards.

The Orioles sent out a press release earlier today that featured new and returning menu items at the ballpark, but the big news is that National Bohemian will be available for the first time since 2016.

Fans will be able to purchase it in a specialty-themed orange can sold exclusively at the park, though the diehards would happily sip it out of their cupped hands. They just want their Natty Boh that disappeared suddenly in 2016 due to a dispute with parent company Pabst.

The blue ribbon goes to whoever mended those fences.