The Orioles have made the following roster move:

• Optioned RHP Brandon Young to minor league camp after yesterday’s game.

The Orioles’ Spring Training roster currently has 57 players (38+19 NRI).

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Kyle Finnegan woke up early this morning, raring to go. Unfortunately, he didn’t need to report to the ballpark until lunchtime, because the Nationals had a night game against the Mets.

“I woke up early like usual and was just staring at the clock like: ‘When can I go in the field?’” the veteran closer said with a laugh. “Being around for a while now, that’s a good thing to still be super excited to throw in a back field spring training game.”

Finnegan indeed only threw an inning of a simulated game this afternoon, facing a quartet of teammates while coaches watched from behind a screen. Hardly anything to get excited about. But for the 33-year-old, who re-signed with the Nats only a week ago, this was a big deal: the first time he faced live hitters since the end of the 2024 season.

Though he kept himself ready while unsigned this spring throwing off a mound at home in Houston, the only “batter’ Finnegan had faced was a cardboard cutout figure positioned in the batter’s box. Not quite the same as facing Robert Hassell III, Brady House, Stone Garrett and José Tena on Field 2 outside CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches.

“I was anxious to throw today, super excited,” he said. “It’s that natural progression of taking that next step. No matter what you do in the offseason, nothing can prepare you for that first week of spring training, just how you body responds to it. Today was a big step forward.”

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Nationals and Orioles are set to close out their respective exhibition seasons with one final game against each other later this month, but that’s just a precursor to more games against each other in coming years.

The two clubs today announced a five-year deal to play exhibitions against each other, including an annual home-and-home series from 2026-29.

This year’s standalone game is set for Monday, March 24 at 1:05 p.m. at Nationals Park. The Nats also announced today all current and former federal employees are eligible to receive two free tickets to that game “as a special expression of gratitude for their services.” Federal workers can claim their free tickets at the first base box office beginning at 11:45 a.m. on the day of game. Additional details can be found at nationals.com/federal.

The clubs will expand this series with annual home-and-home games beginning in 2026, one game played at Nationals Park, one at Camden Yards. The specific schedule has yet to be announced, but the games are expected to take place on the Sunday and Monday prior to Opening Day, which would require the Nats to finish spring training in Florida one day earlier than usual.

This is a return to a previous era when end-of-spring exhibitions between the Nationals and Orioles was commonplace. They met each other every year from 2006-09, with games played in both cities.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Hello once again from sunny South Florida. It’s good to be back after a short respite at home. Many thanks as always to Bobby Blanco for a dynamite job covering the team all week in my stead.

The Nationals are back home with a night game against the Mets, and most of the regulars are in there for this one. That includes, for the first time this spring, the 1-2-3 of CJ Abrams, Dylan Crews and James Wood atop Davey Martinez’s lineup. That seems to be the order they have in mind to open the season, if everyone’s healthy and productive. We’ll see how they look against New York right-hander Paul Blackburn this evening.

Trevor Williams gets the ball for the Nats in his third outing of the spring. The veteran right-hander gave up a costly, two-run homer to the Marlins in his debut. He then held the Astros to one run over 2 1/3 innings last time out, but did give up five hits and a walk in the process. Williams faces a New York lineup tonight featuring Francisco Lindor, Pete Alonso, Mark Vientos and old pal Joey Meneses.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS vs. NEW YORK METS
Where: CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches, West Palm Beach
Gametime: 6:05 p.m. EST
TV: None
Radio: 980 AM, MLB.com
Weather: Clear, 73 degrees, wind 9 mph out to left field

NATIONALS
SS CJ Abrams
CF Dylan Crews
LF James Wood
1B Nathaniel Lowe
3B Paul DeJong
2B Luis García Jr.
RF Alex Call
DH Andrés Chaparro
C Andrew Knizner

First of the five-year series will take place in D.C. March 24

The Orioles today officially announced that they will end their 2025 spring schedule with an exhibition game against the Washington Nationals on Monday, March 24, at 1:05 p.m. ET at Nationals Park. This will mark the first of several exhibition games, which will continue through the 2029 season.

“The Orioles and Nationals are neighbors, and it is important to both teams that we use it as an opportunity to strengthen connections and share our love of baseball with the full Baltimore and Washington metropolitan areas,” said CATIE GRIGGS, Orioles President of Business Operations.

Beginning in 2026, the series will include two games, one played at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore and one in Washington D.C. Tickets for this year’s exhibition game at Nationals Park are on sale now at Nats.com/Tickets. 

The Orioles and Nats will meet twice in the 2025 regular season, including during MLB’s Rivalry Weekend from May 16-18 in Baltimore.

Beginning this year, the Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles will battle for regional bragging rights before the season even starts.

The two Clubs are adding to their deep-seated rivalry, today announcing a multi-year exhibition series that will provide an exciting conclusion to each of the next five Spring Training seasons. This year, the Nationals will host the Orioles on Monday, March 24, at 1:05 p.m. for a single exhibition game, and from 2026 through 2029, the series will expand to two matchups a year with one contest played in Washington, D.C., and the other in Baltimore. Tickets to this year’s game are on sale now at nats.com/Tickets.

Current and former employees of the federal government are eligible to receive two free tickets to this year’s exhibition game as a special expression of gratitude for their services. Federal workers can claim their free tickets at the First Base Box Office beginning at 11:45 a.m. on Monday, March 24. Additional details can be found at nats.com/Federal.

After the exhibition game’s final out, fans can get up close and personal with their favorite players at the 2025 Nationals Homecoming Gala, red carpet and Fan Fest. The red carpet and Fan Fest are both free to attend and will take place at The Wharf beginning at approximately 4:00 p.m. The team’s premier off-the-field event, the Homecoming Gala is held at The Anthem and celebrates the power of baseball in the community. This year, former All-Star shortstop Ian Desmond, the first ever Player Ambassador to the Youth Baseball Academy, will be honored with the Power of Baseball Award.

The Nationals-Orioles exhibition game will be televised by MASN with play-by-play announcer Bob Carpenter and color commentator Kevin Frandsen in the booth and broadcaster Dan Kolko interviewing players live from the home dugout. Fans in the D.C. area can also tune in to 106.7 The Fan FM with Charlie Slowes and Dave Jageler as well as the Spanish-language radio broadcast on DC 87.7 FM and La Pantera 100.7 FM/1220 AM with Luciano Rodríguez and Gustavo Salazar.

A new season means a new MLB Pipeline prospect ranking. 

This week on “The Bird’s Nest,” Annie Klaff and I broke down some of the highlights from an updated top 30. You can listen to the full episode here: https://masn.me/6r1g411x

The Top Dogs 

Samuel Basallo and Coby Mayo are two of the top prospects in all of baseball. Two of the best 15 in the game per Pipeline’s top 100, to be exact, and No. 1 and No. 2 in the O’s top 30. Basallo, now the top prospect in Baltimore’s system, has turned heads down in Sarasota with his eye popping exit velocities and defensive improvements. However, the catcher still needs seasoning in Triple-A Norfolk after posting a .638 OPS in 21 games with the Tides. That’s to be expected during your age 19 season. As for Mayo, there’s not much left to prove offensively down in the minors. Continuing to progress defensively at both third base and first base is the next step in his development. 

The Speedsters in Center 

The Orioles today announced that former center fielder ADAM JONES and former outfielder JOE ORSULAK have been elected to the Orioles Hall of Fame. Additionally, longtime broadcaster TOM DAVIS will be inducted as this year’s Herb Armstrong Award winner.

The three honorees will be recognized on Friday, August 8, at a luncheon at Oriole Park hosted by the Oriole Advocates, founders of the Orioles Hall of Fame. The on-field induction ceremony will be held on Saturday, August 9, prior to the 7:05 p.m. ET game against the Athletics. Information on purchasing tickets for the Oriole Advocates Hall of Fame luncheon will be announced soon. To purchase tickets for the induction ceremony and game, featuring an Adam Jones Hall of Fame Bobblehead giveaway for the first 20,000 fans, visit Orioles.com/Tickets.

Jones spent 11 of his 14 major league seasons in a Baltimore uniform (2008-18) following his acquisition from the Seattle Mariners on February 8, 2008. He ranks among all-time franchise leaders (since 1954) in hits (4^th, 1,781), home runs (5^th, 263), RBI (5^th, 866), runs (5^th, 875), doubles (7^th, 305), and games played (8^th, 1,613). His 93 career outfield assists are tied with NICK MARKAKIS for second in team history behind PAUL BLAIR (105), both also Orioles Hall of Famers.

A five-time All-Star (2009, 2012-15), Jones is one of six Orioles in franchise history to be named an All-Star in at least five seasons, joining CAL RIPKEN, JR. (19), BROOKS ROBINSON (15), EDDIE MURRAY (7), JIM PALMER (6), and MIKE MUSSINA (5). A four-time Gold Glove Award winner in center field (2009, 2012-14), Jones’ 2009 Gold Glove marked the first by a Baltimore outfielder since Blair (1975), while his 2013 Slugger Award was the first by an Orioles outfielder since the award was created in 1980.

Jones was a three-time Roberto Clemente Award nominee (2011, 2013, 2016), an annual recognition of a player from each MLB club that “best represents the game of baseball through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field.” He finished his Orioles career with six Heart and Hustle Award nominations (2012, 2014-18) and three Most Valuable Oriole recognitions (2011-13). He officially retired from baseball as a Baltimore Oriole on September 15, 2023, and in January 2025, returned to the organization as a Special Advisor to the General Manager and Community Ambassador.

Orsulak spent five seasons with the Orioles from 1988-92, batting .281 (579-for-2,059) with 97 doubles, 15 triples, 35 home runs, and 221 RBI in 632 games. In 1991, he recorded a single-season franchise record and MLB-leading 22 outfield assists. Since then, Washington’s Alfonso Soriano (2006) and Houston’s Richard Hidalgo (2003) are the only outfielders in the majors to record a 22-assist season. His 54 career outfield assists rank seventh in franchise history behind Blair (105), Jones/Markakis (93), AL BUMBRY (68), BRADY ANDERSON (57), and JACKIE BRANDT (54). Orsulak led Baltimore in batting average in 1988, 1989, and 1992, while ranking second in 1991 behind Ripken, Jr.

Davis, winner of the Herb Armstrong Award given to non-uniformed Orioles personnel, served as a fill-in radio and TV play-by-play broadcaster for Orioles games for three decades. A five-time Maryland Sportscaster of the Year winner, Davis began his career with WBAL-TV and WCBM Radio before joining WQSR-FM as a sportscaster on the No. 1-rated “Rouse & Company” morning show. Additionally, he hosted pre-and post-game “O’s Extra” shows on MASN, and continues to produce and host “Wall to Wall Baseball” and “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” Davis was honored with the John F. Steadman Lifetime Achievement Award by the Maryland State Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019.

A complete list of members of the Orioles Hall of Fame and Herb Armstrong Award recipients can be found at Orioles.com/HallOfFame.

This season at Nationals Park, the fun doesn’t stop once the final “out” is called – the popular Nats Summer Concert Series is returning to the ballpark in 2025, bringing world-class artists to the baseball diamond on Friday nights throughout the summer. Postgame concerts are free to fans with a ticket to that day’s game. To learn more and purchase tickets, including Concert 6-Packs for access to all six postgame shows, visit nats.com/SummerConcerts.

The Nats Summer Concert Series lineup includes platinum-certified rock band originally from Rockville, Md., O.A.R. (May 9); multi-platinum British pop singer, songwriter and record producer Natasha Bedingfield (June 6); Diamond-selling, multi-platinum and three-time Grammy Award-winning rap superstar Nelly (June 13); Grammy-nominated, Diamond-selling country star Sam Hunt (Aug. 15); chart-topping artists Ja Rule and Grammy Award winner Ashanti (Aug. 29); and multi-award-winning country singer-songwriter Riley Green (Sept. 26).

Mark your calendars now so you don’t have to turn the car around this summer. Prepare to release your inhibitions because we’re gonna have a house party and we do things a little different ‘round here at Nationals Park. Everybody will be livin’ it up and ready to rock wit u, so lace up your Air Force Ones and head to the ballpark for the Nats Summer Concert Series.

Postgame concerts will begin approximately 30 minutes following the final out. Access to the postgame concert is free with a ticket to that day’s game; a limited number of on-field passes are available for purchase. Visit nats.com/SummerConcerts for tickets and information. 

In addition to the Nats Summer Concert Series, a number of world-renowned artists will make tour stops at Nationals Park this year, including Shakira (Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour, May 31), Stray Kids (Dominate World Tour, June 23), Billy Joel and Sting (One Night – One Stage, Sept. 5) and The Lumineers (The Automatic World Tour, Sept. 6). With 10 total concerts on tap, 2025 marks Nationals Park’s most musical season yet.  For more information and to purchase tickets, visit nats.com/Concerts.

The Orioles’ 2024 trade deadline was active. 

For the rotation, Baltimore acquired Zach Eflin and Trevor Rogers. To shore up the bullpen, a pair of flamethrowers from Philadelphia in Seranthony Domínguez and Gregory Soto. And to supplement a talented outfield, the O’s added Eloy Jiménez, Austin Slater and Cristian Pache. 

But how about a move that didn’t impact the big league roster? 

In late July, it was the move everyone was waiting for. 

The Orioles sent utilityman Billy Cook to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for right-handed pitching prospect Pat Reilly. 

The Orioles and Red Sox played to a 6-6 tie today at Ed Smith Stadium, which leads into Tuesday’s first off-day.

Here are some nuggets from this afternoon, when the first five innings meant the most to the Orioles:

* Félix Bautista faced three batters in the fifth inning – strikeout, strikeout, ground ball, standing ovation from fans.

This was Bautista’s moment. Everything else that happened was secondary.

Bautista ran the count full to Trayce Thompson and struck him out on a fastball up and away. Nate Eaton swung through a nasty splitter.

The Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles jointly announce the final resolution of all issues related to the MASN dispute.

For the 2025 season, Washington Nationals games will continue to be televised locally exclusively by the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN) under a new, one-year contract.  After this term, the Nationals will be free to explore alternatives for their television rights for the 2026 season and beyond.  As part of the settlement, all disputes related to past media rights between the Nationals, Orioles, and MASN have been resolved, and all litigation will be dismissed.

The Nationals and Orioles extend their gratitude to Commissioner Manfred and his team at MLB for their efforts in bringing this matter to a successful conclusion.  Both Clubs thank our fans for their support and look forward to continuing their partnership with MASN for the upcoming season.

The Orioles have made the following roster moves:

Optioned RHP Colin Selby to minor league camp.

Reassigned C Silas Ardoin, RHP Justin Armbruester, OF Dylan Beavers, OF Enrique Bradfield Jr., OF Jud Fabian, LHP Jakob Hernandez, RHP Yaramil Hiraldo, INF Jeremiah Jackson, RHP Robinson Martínez, RHP Carlos Tavera, and RHP Nathan Webb to minor league camp.

The Orioles’ Spring Training roster currently has 58 players (39+19 NRI).

SARASOTA, Fla. – The best season of Keegan Akin’s professional life came with one harsh outcome that he’s able to laugh about five months later.

It took that long.

Pitchers dread the slow walk back to the dugout after surrendering a game-winning run. Head bowed, the roar of the opposing crowd ringing in his ears, reporters seeking an explanation and reaction.

Akin would like to forget, but the reminder has a locker set up on the other side of the spring training clubhouse.

Outfielder Tyler O’Neill punctuated a three-homer series against the Orioles in September by clearing the Green Monster in the 10^th inning. The Red Sox responded to Emmanuel Rivera’s tie-breaking single by taking advantage of a Jackson Holliday error and bringing O’Neill to the plate.

SARASOTA, Fla. – Zach Eflin makes his exhibition debut this afternoon, with the Orioles traveling to Fort Myers to play the Twins.

Gary Sánchez is behind the plate for Eflin.

Coby Mayo gets the start at first base.

Jackson Holliday is leading off and playing second base. Colton Cowser is in center field, Heston Kjerstad in left and Dylan Carlson in right.

Liván Soto, who’s 3-for-6 with two doubles, is the shortstop.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Jake Irvin planned to throw two innings tonight. That would be the standard ramp-up after throwing only one inning in his spring debut five days ago.

Just one problem: Irvin was too good during those two innings. He faced six batters, he retired all six and he needed only 23 pitches to do it.

So the Nationals sent the right-hander back to the mound for an unplanned third inning. At which point the sharpness and efficiency that defined the start of his night eluded him and brought a quick end to his night.

Back-to-back walks with one out in the third raised Irvin’s pitch count to 37 and brought manager Davey Martinez out of the dugout. It wasn’t a big deal; it’s still Feb. 27, after all. But for Irvin, it left a bit of a sour taste in his mouth at night’s end as the Nats took a 4-3 loss at the hands of the Braves.

“I’m excited to ride the wave of the first two innings going into the next one,” Irvin said when asked about the third inning.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Kyle Finnegan was disappointed, but not resentful of the Nationals when they chose to non-tender him three months ago. He understood it was a business decision, and he always left the door open for a return.

So when the All-Star closer walked back through that familiar clubhouse door today after officially re-signing with the Nats, there was nothing but a wide smile on his face.

“They’re making decisions that are what they think are in the best interests, and that doesn’t mean they don’t want you back,” he said. “It’s kind of one of those things that it is what it is. When the non-tender happened, I didn’t have any animosity or anything. I knew they had the potential to be one of the teams in play. So you keep an open mind, and at the end of the day you make the decision that feels right for you and your family.”

For Finnegan, a chance to return to the Nationals for $6 million, even if that was about $2 million to $3 million less than he was likely to earn had they let him go through the arbitration process over the winter, was the right one.

He looked right at home this afternoon in the same clubhouse he called home each of the previous five springs, albeit in a new locker on the other side of the room because his old spot was taken. He’s still wearing his No. 67 jersey. He only had to introduce himself to a few new teammates and staff members. He already knew everyone else.

SARASOTA, Fla. – Orioles manager Brandon Hyde was asked a few days ago about a drama-free camp, how the only injuries were sustained prior to the report dates. The conversation included warnings about the risks of jinxing it.

Here we are.

We learned earlier today that Jordan Westburg hasn’t played since Saturday due to lower-back soreness. And shortstop Gunnar Henderson exited today’s game after one inning with lower right side discomfort.

No further details are available. Manager Brandon Hyde will provide an update in his post-game media scrum.

Henderson made a nice running grab of Bo Bichette’s line drive in the first. He led off the bottom of the inning with a ground ball to first baseman Will Wagner, who bobbled it and flipped to pitcher Easton Lucas.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Nationals play their first night game of the spring, with the Braves making a rare visit from all the way across the state. Atlanta isn’t sending a whole lot of big names, aside from Marcell Ozuna, but they do have Bryce Elder on the mound, which should make for a nice challenge for the Nats lineup.

Davey Martinez does have plenty of regulars in his batting order, pretty much everyone but James Wood (who is set to DH on Friday in his delayed spring debut) and Keibert Ruiz (who caught Wednesday). So we’ll get multiple at-bats tonight from CJ Abrams, Dylan Crews, Nathaniel Lowe, Josh Bell and Luis García Jr.

Jake Irvin, meanwhile, becomes the first member of the rotation to make his second start of the spring. The right-hander should be good to go two innings in this one as he continues the slow build-up to regular-season form.

Tonight’s game is available live on MLB Network, if you’re interested in watching.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS vs. ATLANTA BRAVES
Where: CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches, West Palm Beach
Gametime: 6:05 p.m. EST
TV: MLB Network (Braves’ feed)
Radio: MLB.com (Braves’ feed)
Weather: Partly cloudy, 76 degrees, wind 7 mph out to left field

The Washington Nationals will host Negro Leagues Night at Nationals Park on Wednesday, June 18, teaming up the Josh Gibson Foundation to recognize the achievements of the Homestead Grays and Black players in Washington, D.C., prior to MLB’s integration. The evening will feature a pregame panel discussion of the impacts of the Negro Leagues in American baseball as well as a Josh Gibson bobblehead giveaway. To join the celebration of Black history and culture, visit nats.com/Promotions.

As part of Negro Leagues Night, the Nationals will host a panel, including Sean Gibson, great-grandson of Josh Gibson and other distinguished guests, to discuss last year’s inclusion of the Negro Leagues statistics into the Major League Baseball record books, the way that the Negro Leagues shaped baseball today and more. The pregame panel is open to all fans with a ticket to that day’s 6:45 p.m. matchup versus the Rockies.

Additionally, 20,000 fans in attendance for that evening’s game will receive a Josh Gibson bobblehead. One of the greatest home run hitters and most feared sluggers of any era, Gibson began his career in 1930 and played for the Pittsburgh Crawfords and Homestead Grays through 1946. The catcher from Buena Vista, Ga., was a 12-time All-Star, two-time Negro Leagues World Series champion, three-time Negro National League batting champion, two-time Triple Crown winner and, in 1972, became the second Negro Leagues player to be inducted in the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.

In May 2024, Major League Baseball officially incorporated statistics from the Negro Leagues, which resulted in Gibson becoming MLB’s career leader in multiple offensive categories. With a .372 career batting average, he officially surpassed Ty Cobb (.367) as the all-time career leader in average. Often called the “Black Babe Ruth,” Gibson also overtook Ruth’s records as the career leader in slugging percentage (.718 vs. .690) and on-base plus slugging percentage (1.177 vs. 1.164). He also holds the all-time single-season record in those same categories. Gibson’s statue outside Nationals Park recognizes his Hall of Fame career, and he is one of six Grays players featured in the Ring of Honor. Gibson is also featured in the Homestead Grays exhibit in the ballpark’s Champions Club.

“Josh’s family and the Foundation are grateful that the Nationals are honoring the Negro Leagues and Josh on June 18,” said Sean Gibson, Executive Director, Josh Gibson Foundation. “For Josh and the Grays, Washington was their second home from 1940 onward. They played proudly before the local fans, delivering them multiple championships, and for Washington to celebrate their legacy and serve the community as we at the Foundation seek to do, well, it does justice to their memory. Thank you to the Nationals, and we look forward to a long partnership together.”