BOSTON – With rain in the forecast throughout the day and night, the Orioles must endure their fourth postponement of the 2025 season.

Makes it harder to carry the momentum from yesterday’s 11-inning win in Milwaukee.

The Orioles and Red Sox will play a split doubleheader on Friday, with Game 1 at 1:35 p.m. and Game 2 at 7:10 p.m.

Both teams get a 27th man.

The Orioles already made up two of their first three postponed games, being swept in a doubleheader in Detroit and at home against the Twins. They have a day-night doubleheader against the Blue Jays on July 29 at Camden Yards.

Due to planned activity in Washington, D.C., the start time for the Saturday, June 14, game between the Washington Nationals and Miami Marlins has been moved up to 1:05 p.m. from 4:05 p.m.

The Nationals are promoting their top prospect up a level in their minor league system.

Travis Sykora, the No. 1 prospect in the Nats system and No. 61 overall per MLB Pipeline, is being promoted to High-A Wilmington, a source confirms.

Sykora dominated Single-A once again following his return from offseason hip surgery. He held opponents to one hit, one run and one walk while striking out 14 in just five innings over two starts with the Fredericksburg Nationals.

It was an easy return to form for the 21-year-old, who the Nats selected out of high school in the third round of the 2023 MLB Draft. The 6-foot-6 righty was named Carolina League Pitcher of the Year in 2024 after going 5-3 with a 2.33 ERA, 0.906 WHIP, 129 strikeouts and 13.7 strikeouts per nine innings across 20 starts.

He also dominated in the playoffs to help the FredNats win their first championship since moving to Fredericksburg in 2020.

When the Nationals face the Braves tonight following Wednesday’s rainout, Robert Hassell III will take the field for the first time as a big leaguer. When he looks to his right from his outfield position, he’ll see James Wood. When he looks in toward the middle infield, he’ll see CJ Abrams. And watching from the dugout will be MacKenzie Gore, who on Friday night will take the mound to start the series opener against the Giants.

Those four players have long been connected, four of the five prospects the Nats acquired from the Padres in the August 2022 Juan Soto/Josh Bell trade. Nearly three years later, they’re all in the big leagues together. (Right-hander Jarlin Susana, the fifth prospect, is currently on the injured list after making five starts for Double-A Harrisburg to begin the season.)

“It’s awesome,” Hassell said. “I think that’s the best-case scenario in a lot of people’s eyes. It was a big trade, and everybody had high expectations for us. I’m glad to be in the same place, in ‘The Show.’”

Abrams was first to arrive, shortly after the trade. Gore was injured but made his Nationals debut in April 2023. Wood made it in July 2024. All three are now playing at an All-Star level, with Abrams ranking eighth in the majors with a .940 OPS, Wood tied for fifth in the National League with 12 homers and Gore leading the entire sport with 84 strikeouts.

Hassell, believe it or not, was just as highly regarded as any of them at the time of the deal, maybe more so. He boasted an .846 OPS in high Single-A upon getting traded and ranked anywhere from the 26th to the 37th best prospect in baseball.

The Orioles avoided a third consecutive series sweep yesterday. They didn’t fold after losing leads in the ninth and 10^th innings. Félix Bautista allowed a run in his fourth consecutive appearance, but hey, at least he was cleared to pitch on back-to-back days.

Interim manager Tony Mansolino could enjoy the flight to Boston. The losing streak ended at eight. The Orioles improved to 1-27 when trailing after the seventh.

Can’t make up all the ground in one game. Yesterday was a start.

Let’s tackle a few questions this morning. This time, I’ll do the asking.

* Did the Orioles make the right choice with the rotation?

MILWAUKEE – Baltimore was right there. The losing streak was over. 

The Tony Mansolino era had its first victory in the palm of its hand. 

For the first time this season, Baltimore could come back to win a game after trailing entering the seventh inning. They found clutch situational hits when they needed to. Their former All-Star closer was on the mound with a chance to seal things in the ninth. 

Baltimore was one strike away. 

In a 2-2 count, American Family Field erupted at the sight of a Caleb Durbin RBI single to tie the game at three runs apiece. 

Robert Hassell III’s major league debut will have to wait 24 hours. The Nationals’ newest outfielder won’t complain.

Tonight’s game between the Nats and Braves was postponed due to rain in the area, the announcement coming about 90 minutes after the team officially promoted Hassell from Triple-A Rochester and placed Dylan Crews on the 10-day injured list with a left oblique strain.

With Atlanta set to make another trip to D.C. this season, tonight’s game won’t be made up until a Sept. 16 day-night doubleheader, with a new 1:05 p.m. game added in advance of the previously scheduled 6:45 p.m. contest.

The two teams will complete this series as planned at 6:45 p.m. Thursday, with tonight’s starters (Trevor Williams, AJ Smith-Shawver) pushed back to pitch then.

Barring a change of heart by his manager, Hassell figures to be part of Thursday’s lineup for the Nationals. He was due to start in center field and bat seventh tonight, though it’s possible he’ll shift to right field if Jacob Young is ready to return from a jammed left shoulder.

It’s a cold, rainy day in the nation’s capital, with the chance of baseball being played on time and to completion tonight much less than 100 percent. It’s dry for the moment, but there’s more rain forecast for this evening, so stay tuned for updates.

If they play, it’s a fairly significant day for the Nationals, who are promoting outfielder Robert Hassell III from Triple-A Rochester for the first time. The corresponding move just announced sends Dylan Crews to the 10-day injured list with a left oblique strain.

It remains to be seen how much playing time the 23-year-old Hassell gets, but he should get some opportunity to show how ready he is for the big leagues, and then potentially stick in the long term.

The Nats lineup has suddenly turned productive, especially early in games. That group has now scored at least four runs off opposing starters within the first two innings of the last three games, a welcome departure from the previous week (and, to be honest, much of the season to date). It would be a very welcome development if that trend continues tonight against AJ Smith-Shawver, who six days ago held the same lineup to one unearned run on two hits over six innings at Truist Park.

Trevor Williams faced Smith-Shawver that day, as well, and was solid for four innings (one run allowed) before falling apart in the fifth (three more runs allowed). That loss left Williams at 2-5 with a 5.91 ERA. Statistically speaking, he’s been the worst member of the Nationals rotation. At some point, they need to see better results from the veteran, lest his spot become available to a younger starter.

The Washington Nationals recalled outfielder Robert Hassell III from Triple-A Rochester and placed outfielder Dylan Crews on the 10-day Injured List with a left oblique strain on Wednesday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.

Hassell III, 23, joins the Nationals for his first career Major League assignment after hitting .288 with seven doubles, four homers, 24 RBI, 12 walks, nine stolen bases and 19 runs scored in 43 games with Triple-A Rochester this season. His 24 RBI rank second in Washington’s Minor League system, while his 47 hits are tied for second. Named the "Best Defensive Outfielder" in Washington's system according to Baseball America prior to the 2025 season, Hassell III appeared in 39 games in center field and one game in right field in 2025.

Hassell III hit .365 (23-for-63) with a .603 slugging percentage (3 2B, 4 HR) in his last 16 games dating to May 1. In his final game prior to being recalled, Hassell III went 3-for-4 with two doubles, two RBI and one run scored in Rochester’s 9-4 win over Syracuse on Tuesday night.

The No. 8 overall pick in the 2020 First-Year Player Draft, Hassell III put on a strong showing in Spring Training, going 17-for-46 (.370) with a .408 on-base percentage (3 BB) and a .543 slugging percentage (5 2B, HR) in 21 Grapefruit League games in 2025.

Acquired at the 2022 Trade Deadline along with with CJ Abrams, MacKenzie Gore, James Wood and Minor League right-handed pitcher Jarlin Susana, Hassell III has hit .263 with with 90 doubles, nine triples, 40 home runs, 239 RBI, 97 stolen bases and 283 runs scored in 471 professional games between San Diego’s and Washington’s organizations.

MILWAUKEE – There haven’t been very many positives to point to in the brief Tony Mansolino era. Today, there’s one in plain sight. 

Andrew Kittredge, who the O’s signed to a one-year, $10 million deal with an option for 2026 this offseason, was reinstated from the injured list today. Kittredge missed a chunk of spring training and the beginning of this season after undergoing “knee debridement” surgery. At his healthy best, he’s one of the best setup men in the game. 

“I definitely wasn’t expecting to have surgery during spring training,” Kittredge said this morning with a laugh. “That was kind of out of my control. So, I just attacked the rehab and feeling good, and just excited to be back now, even though it wasn’t the beginning of the season that I hoped for. Excited to be back.” 

Kittredge made 74 appearances for the Cardinals a season ago, top-10 among pitchers’ games played. He posted a 2.80 ERA, a return to form in his first full season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2022. 

Having previously gone through a long rehab, Kittredge knew the drill this time around. 

Reliever Andrew Kittredge is on the verge of finally making his Orioles debut.

The Orioles reinstated Kittredge from the 15-day injured list this morning and optioned Chayce McDermott to Triple-A Norfolk.

Kittredge made only one appearance in spring training before undergoing surgery to repair cartilage in his left knee. He signed for $10 million over the winter.

McDermott allowed three runs and walked five batters in 4 2/3 innings in his third career major league appearance and was optioned after the game.

The bullpen has an extra reliever today as the Orioles try to snap an eight-game losing streak and avoid a third consecutive sweep. They’ve fallen 17 games below .500.

It was bound to get better at some point. Really, how couldn’t it?

As much as the Nationals bullpen struggled through the season’s first month-plus, it was hard to believe that group could sustain such a low level of performance over the long haul. Through the season’s first 39 games, this relief corps owned a collective 7.29 ERA, worst in the majors and a number that would be historically bad over a full 162-game slate.

Slowly but surely, though, things are stabilizing. The Nats aren’t necessarily getting dominant bullpen work now, but they’re certainly getting quality work from that group: Over their last 10 games, relievers have combined for a 3.12 ERA. That’s eighth-best in the majors during this span.

“I think we’re just getting into the groove of the season a little bit,” right-hander Cole Henry said. “Everybody’s trying to get out there and get outs and do what’s best for this team: Get wins and keep stacking them.”

That’s exactly what has been happening of late. The Nationals have won four in a row, and during Tuesday’s 5-3 victory over the Braves the bullpen played a significant role. Henry, Jose A. Ferrer, Jorge López and Kyle Finnegan collectively tossed 3 2/3 scoreless innings, that quartet retiring 11 of the 12 batters it faced to close out the game with little margin for error.

The Orioles lost Game 2 of last Wednesday’s doubleheader against the Twins after former manager Brandon Hyde handed Yennier Cano the ball in the eighth inning and watched him allow three runs. This was an automatic and understandable move, using the primary and rested set-up man to protect a 6-5 lead before passing it on to closer Félix Bautista.

The critics came after Hyde again for no good reason. It was the right decision, it blew up like so many others in 2025, and Cano’s ERA was inflated from 2.70 to 4.40.

Interim manager Tony Mansolino summoned Cano in the eighth inning Monday night with the score tied in Milwaukee. Cano got the first two outs, but a full-count walk and stolen base preceded William Contreras’ ground ball single to give the Brewers a 5-4 win.

First base was open, but the Orioles pitched to Contreras, who finished with four hits.

“We have a ton of faith in Yenni,” Mansolino said. “Yenni’s one of our guys. We really like Yenni, really in any situation. So we bet on our guy, it didn’t work out. We’ll do it again next time.”

MILWAUKEE – The story of the O’s first two games in Milwaukee has felt eerily similar. 

The starting pitching didn’t take them out of it but wasn’t stellar, the bullpen was adequate but not great, and some late life from the offense wasn’t enough to push Baltimore ahead. 

Any way you slice it, it added up to the Orioles’ eighth consecutive loss, this time 5-2. The Orioles haven’t won a series against the Brewers since 2003. 

The first turn around the order was incredibly uneventful for both teams. If you like pitching and defense, the first 18 plate appearances were right up your alley. Three walks between both teams, with the most excitement coming in a Sal Frelick fly out to the warning track. 

Batter No. 18 was a Chayce McDermott three-pitch strikeout of Joey Ortiz. It was the 19th batter that presented the first sign of trouble. 

Have the Nationals suddenly found a new formula for winning baseball: Jumping out to an early lead against the opposing starter, then riding the strength of their suddenly improved bullpen to close out a narrow victory?

It’s certainly not the way the Nats tried to win games through most of the season’s first six weeks. But it’s sure working to perfection now, the latest – and perhaps most impressive – example coming tonight during a 5-3 triumph over the Braves.

Thanks to four early runs plated off the intimidating Spencer Strider, a workmanlike start out of Mitchell Parker and then 3 2/3 scoreless innings from their relievers, the Nationals won their fourth straight in impressive fashion.

"We talk so much about trying to beat up the starter and score first, and it's come to fruition the last couple days," manager Davey Martinez said. "It's been great. Our bullpen comes in with a little cushion; it's good for them, too. The boys are really playing well."

The only downside: Dylan Crews departed after the fifth inning, having felt something in his lower back/left side on a check-swing. The rookie center fielder, who homered for the second consecutive game, admitted he has been dealing with soreness in that area for the last week, since making a diving play in Atlanta, and it reached a point where he couldn't continue tonight.

Despite some initial hopes he’d be ready to return tonight, Jacob Young won’t be in the lineup for the Nationals’ series opener against the Braves.

Davey Martinez had penciled Young into his lineup, three days after the center fielder slammed into the wall at Camden Yards trying to make a catch and injured his left shoulder. But that was contingent upon Young making it through afternoon workouts with no issues, and it turns out there was one issue.

“He said he couldn’t finish his swing,” Martinez said. “We’ll give him another day, see how he does. But he can do everything else.”

Young tried to take swings in the cage this afternoon but still felt his shoulder on his follow-through, unable to fully extend his left arm as far as he would need to after making contact. While that’s enough of a problem to keep him from playing tonight, the Nats don’t believe it’s significant enough to have any longer-term concerns.

“I think he’ll be OK,” Martinez said. “He said he’s way better today than he was yesterday and the day before. So we’ll give him a day, see how he feels.”

MILWAUKEE – Mike Elias isn’t a stranger to addressing the media in the midst of a losing season. 

Since taking the reins of the O’s front office in November 2018, Elias oversaw tough years in the win and loss columns from 2019 to 2021. 

The caveat there, of course, is that Baltimore was rebuilding. Soon, players like Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, Jordan Westburg and more would join the fold to propel the Orioles to a 100-win season and division title, and back-to-back postseason appearances. 

A stranger to this type of address? No. Just a bit unfamiliar. 

His next one just came much sooner than anyone expected. 

The Orioles released Kyle Gibson this afternoon after he cleared waivers. He was designated for assignment on Sunday.

The outcome was predictable with Gibson paid $5.25 million this year.

The door could remain ajar for Gibson’s return to the organization, perhaps agreeing to another deal that allows for the veteran to pitch in the minors in a second attempted ramp-up.

Gibson signed his contract on March 21 and lasted only four starts, compiling a 16.78 ERA and 2.919 WHIP. He allowed 23 runs and 29 hits in 12 1/3 innings, with seven walks and 10 strikeouts.

Ramón Laureano, who’s 11 for his last 19, remains the cleanup hitter tonight. Heston Kjerstad is in left field and batting eighth.

The Nationals couldn’t have asked for a better weekend in Baltimore, where they swept the fading Orioles thanks to a long-awaited offensive surge. Now, can they keep it going back at home against the Braves?

In a rematch of last week’s series in Atlanta, the Nationals know they need to do more offensively, especially against the opposing starters. And they’ve got to face a doozy of one tonight in Spencer Strider. The young ace of the Braves staff made his return from Tommy John surgery last month, only to strain his hamstring after one start. Now he returns again, his arm fully healthy and ready to unleash his impressive arsenal. Will he be rusty? Will he be limited? Those could be key questions tonight.

Mitchell Parker faces the Braves for the second time in a week, looking for better results this time around. The lefty gave up four runs in 4 2/3 innings at Truist Park, though in a more positive development he issued only two walks while striking out six.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS vs. ATLANTA BRAVES
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 6:45 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, 87.7 FM (Spanish), MLB.com
Weather: Mostly cloudy, 70 degrees, wind 5 mph in from right field

NATIONALS
SS CJ Abrams
LF James Wood
1B Nathaniel Lowe
C Keibert Ruiz
2B Luis García Jr.
DH Josh Bell
RF Alex Call
3B José Tena
CF Dylan Crews

The Orioles have made the following roster moves:

• Recalled RHP Chayce McDermott from Triple-A Norfolk.
• Optioned RHP Kade Strowd to Triple-A Norfolk.
• Released RHP Kyle Gibson.