The Orioles have made the following roster moves:

• Agreed to terms with OF Jake Cave on a one-year contract for the 2023 season.
• RHP Chris Ellis has elected free agency in lieu of accepting an outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk.
• C Aramis Garcia has elected free agency in lieu of accepting an outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk.

Washington Nationals Philanthropies, the official charitable arm of the Washington Nationals, today announced plans to honor Ryan Zimmerman with the Power of Baseball Award, presented by The Annette M. and Theodore N. Lerner Family Foundation, at its annual fundraising gala in March. The first-ever player drafted by the Nationals, Zimmerman went on to play 17 seasons with the organization – including an historic World Series championship run – before retiring earlier this year. Aptly nicknamed “Mr. National,” Zimmerman has proven himself a leader on the field and in the community. He is the first current or former player to receive the foundation’s Power of Baseball Award, which annually recognizes an individual, corporation, organization or local group that embodies the positive character and level of achievement exemplified throughout the game of baseball.

“From the beginning, Ryan has represented the level of excellence and commitment to community that reflect the core values of the Washington Nationals organization,” said Marla Lerner Tanenbaum, founding chair and board member of Washington Nationals Philanthropies and president of The Annette M. and Theodore N. Lerner Family Foundation. “Through installations like the first local Legacy Field to carry the name of a Nationals player and his impressive commitment to supporting families affected by Multiple Sclerosis through his foundation, the Zimmerman name will forever be connected with the positive impact he’s had on this city.” 

In 2006, Zimmerman established ziMS Foundation to raise money and awareness for programs benefiting those afflicted with Multiple Sclerosis, a disease that has affected his family personally. Serving as the foundation’s president, Zimmerman is actively involved in decision-making and donates his time, money and image to promoting the foundation. ziMS Foundation has raised more than $4 million for organizations dedicated to the fight against MS.

Zimmerman is the largest individual donor to Nationals Philanthropies over the past decade and has been a consistent supporter of the Scholar Athletes at the Nationals Youth Baseball Academy, having visited the program numerous times over the years. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Zimmerman and his wife Heather spearheaded a relief campaign to provide health care professionals with support, resources and meals. During his playing career, Zimmerman was the club’s Roberto Clemente Award nominee six times and received the “Good Guy” Award by D.C. media twice since it was first established in 2016. 

“When it came time to select the next honoree for the Power of Baseball Award, Ryan was a no-doubter,” said Tal Alter, CEO of Nationals Philanthropies. “His notable generosity is matched only by his authenticity and devotion to the causes he supports. We look forward to joining with supporters and fans next spring to honor the philanthropic impact and legacy of ‘Mr. National’.”

When Rawlings announced the finalists for the annual Gold Glove Awards last week, a lot was made about Juan Soto’s inclusion in right field. His advanced metrics showed he was actually one of the worst defensive right fields in all of baseball this year.

Not a lot of attention was given to Victor Robles, however, since his inclusion in center field made more sense. Despite more struggles at the plate this year, the 25-year-old outfielder returned to a high level of defense in center.

But Robles was denied his first Gold Glove in his second time as a finalist for center field in the National League, losing to the Padres’ Trent Grisham last night.

Let’s compare the center fielders.

Robles’ 12 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) led all NL center fielders and ranked behind only the Royals’ Michael A. Taylor and the Guardians’ Myles Straw among all major league center fielders. He also had a 4.8 Ultimate Zone Rating (UZR), 1.8 arm rating, five outs above average, six runs above average and a 4.1 defensive rating, per FanGraphs. Robles recorded an NL-high seven outfield assists, while also having an NL-high six errors. In 971 ⅔ innings in center field, Robles had 340 putouts with a .983 fielding percentage.

The Orioles have made the following roster moves:

• Outrighted C Aramis Garcia to Triple-A Norfolk.
• Reinstated RHP Chris Ellis from the 60-day Injured List and outrighted him to Triple-A Norfolk.

The 40-man roster is at 39 players.

The Orioles have made the following roster moves:

• Claimed OF Jake Cave off waivers from the Minnesota Twins.
• Designated RHP Jake Reed for assignment.

The Orioles have made the following roster moves:

• Selected the contract of C Anthony Bemboom from Triple-A Norfolk.
• Designated RHP Anthony Castro for assignment.

The Orioles have made the following roster move:

• Added LHP Nick Vespi from Triple-A Norfolk to serve as the 29^th man for today’s doubleheader.

The Orioles have just three games and one series remaining in the 2022 season. Tonight at cloudy and chilly Camden Yards, they host Toronto to start a season-ending three-game series.

The Orioles (82-77) bring a bit of momentum home with them after taking two of three at Yankee Stadium over the weekend. They won 3-1 Sunday, and win No. 82 clinched their first winning record since 2016.

The O's went 3-4 on the final road trip to Boston and New York and ended the year going 38-43 (.469) in road games. That is their best road record since going 39-42 (.481) in 2016.

The Orioles are 44-34 (.564) at home, tied for the sixth-best home winning percentage in the American League and 11th-best in the majors. This marks their most wins and best winning percentage at home since they went 46-35 (.568) in 2017.

The Orioles scored just five runs in the series at New York, and were shut out on Saturday. They have scored just nine runs their last five games, going 2-for-36 with runners in scoring position in that span. They have scored three or fewer in 16 of the last 27 games, going 4-12 in those contests.

The Orioles have made the following roster moves:

• Recalled RHP Yennier Cano from Triple-A Norfolk.
• Placed RHP Félix Bautista on the 15-day Injured List with left knee discomfort, retroactive to October 1.

The Orioles today announced that catcher ADLEY RUTSCHMAN has been voted the winner of the 2022 Louis M. Hatter Most Valuable Oriole Award by members of the local media who cover the team on a regular basis. He will be recognized for his accomplishments in an on-field ceremony prior to tonight’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Rutschman becomes the third rookie to be named the winner of the award since its inception in 1954, joining right-handed pitchers GREGG OLSON in 1989 and RODRIGO LÓPEZ in 2002. He is just the third catcher to be named Most Valuable Oriole, along with GUS TRIANDOS in 1958 and CHRIS HOILES in 1993.

Rutschman enters play today slashing .254/.361/.448 (100-for-393) with 35 doubles, one triple, 13 home runs, 70 runs scored, 42 RBI, 63 walks, 176 total bases, and an .809 OPS in 111 games. His 35 doubles are the most by an Orioles rookie in a single season in franchise history (since 1954), surpassing the mark of 32 set by Orioles Legend and Hall of Famer CAL RIPKEN, JR. in 1982. Rutschman's 35 doubles are also the most in a single season by a primary O’s catcher, ahead of JAVY LÓPEZ with 33 in 2004. He is the second O's rookie with at least 10 home runs and 30 doubles in a season, along with Ripken. His 63 walks are currently the fourth-most by an Orioles rookie, trailing CURT BLEFARY (88, 1965), RON HANSEN (69, 1960), and JIM GENTILE (68, 1960); Blefary, Hansen, and Gentile each appeared in at least 138 games.

He leads the Orioles and Major League Baseball (MLB) rookies in FanGraphs’ Wins Above Replacement (fWAR) with 5.1, which ranks ninth among all American League (AL) hitters. That is currently the third-best fWAR by a rookie catcher in MLB history, trailing only Los Angeles-NL's Mike Piazza (7.4, 1993) and Boston's Carlton Fisk (6.6, 1972), and the second-best by an O's rookie in franchise history, trailing BOBBY GRICH (5.4, 1972). Rutschman also leads the Orioles in doubles and walks, ranks third in runs scored, fifth in extra-base hits (49), and sixth in total bases. Among Orioles batters with at least 400 plate appearances, he leads the team in on-base percentage and OPS and ranks second in slugging percentage.

Rutschman leads AL rookies in doubles, ranks second in walks, third in extra-base hits, fifth in runs scored, sixth in home runs, seventh in total bases, tied for seventh in hits, and eighth in RBI. Among AL rookies with at least 400 plate appearances, he ranks second in on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and OPS. 

OCT. 3 VS. TOR AT 7:05 P.M.

IN THE COMMUNITY

The Orioles will host five-year-old Dayonnie and his family at batting practice, as well as provide them with game tickets. Dayonnie is currently undergoing cancer treatments. 

PREGAME CEREMONY: Most Valuable Oriole Award Presentation 

Prior to the game, the Orioles will recognize the Most Valuable Oriole, as voted on by members of the local media. The Most Valuable Oriole Award is named in honor of the late Lou Hatter, a former sportswriter for The Baltimore Sun, who covered the Orioles for 27 years. 

The remnants of Hurricane Ian are forecasted to bring inclement weather to our region this weekend. As a result, the following scheduling changes have been made to our series vs. the Philadelphia Phillies:

The 7:05 PM game scheduled for Saturday, October 1 has been moved to 1:05 PM on Friday, September 30. All tickets for the 7:05 PM game on Saturday will be honored for the rescheduled game.

The 1:05 PM game on Saturday, October 1 will be played as originally scheduled.

Visit nationals.com/rain for ticket information.

We will continue to work closely with MLB as the weather situation unfolds. Please stay tuned to our social channels for the latest information.

The Orioles have made the following roster moves:

• Recalled RHP Spenser Watkins from Triple-A Norfolk.
• Placed RHP Tyler Wells on the 15-day Injured List with right shoulder inflammation, retroactive to September 20.

The Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy this month begins its fall season of YBA PLAY grassroots clinics, featuring Nike as the presenting sponsor. In its sixth full year of programming, YBA PLAY delivers fun and free instructional clinics to kids, ages 6 to 12 in underserved communities, giving them the chance to learn and love the game of baseball with year-round clinics and summer league teams. Nike, the Official Uniform and Footwear Supplier of Major League Baseball, serves as the first-ever presenting sponsor of YBA PLAY by providing direct financial support for program operations and equipment along with apparel for summer league uniforms.

“Consistent access to sports is critical to youth development, providing personal growth opportunities and positive life outcomes for kids,” said Nick Sussman, Director of Sports Programs at Nationals Academy. “YBA PLAY makes baseball fun for children in Wards 7 and 8, giving them the tools to succeed on the field, while keeping it easy for them to come back to the sport. Support from Nike underscores just how important grassroots sports are for growing the game and helping our communities.”

Nationals Academy uniquely offers continual development with YBA PLAY as its introductory program for beginners that serves as a funnel to a competitive baseball and softball program, HUSTLE. Academy staff intentionally designed the YBA PLAY program to address barriers to access in youth sports.

Fun, Free, and Easy

In underserved neighborhoods with higher than average poverty rates, like D.C.’s Wards 7 and 8, a high-quality youth sports experience requires resources unavailable to some families. Modified rules that promote playing time and rewards for effort, not outcomes, provide a fun and engaging environment. By making the program free, covering the cost of facilities, equipment, and well-trained coaches, the Academy removes barriers to participation for children living at or below the poverty line. Offering clinics at safe, neighborhood facilities with appropriate space for baseball activity makes access easy for local residents.

ABERDEEN, Md. – In a must-win situation tonight to force a third and deciding game in the South Atlantic League championship series, the O’s High-A Aberdeen club got it done with big offense at Ripken Stadium.

Aberdeen never trailed, scoring once in the first, three in the second and five runs in the fourth on its way to a 13-6 win over Bowling Green. After the IronBirds lost the series opener 5-3 on the road Sunday, the SAL championship is now even at 1-1 and set for a Wednesday night Game 3 showdown in Aberdeen.

If the IronBirds win the title, it would be the first by an O’s affiliate since Double-A Bowie won the Eastern League in 2015.

Tonight, Aberdeen took a first-inning lead when Dylan Beavers walked, stole second and scored on Jud Fabian’s two-out single to left. In the last of the second, Aberdeen got a pair of singles with two outs and then Beavers hit his first homer at the High-A level. The No. 33 overall pick in the 2022 draft by the Orioles drilled a three-run shot to right for a 4-0 lead.

After Bowling Green scored twice in the third off right-hander Jean Pinto, Aberdeen took control of this game with five runs in the last of the fourth. Billy Cook’s two run single made it 6-2 and Heston Kjerstad tripled in two runs to right, and scored on the play himself on a throwing error for the 9-2 margin.

The Orioles have made the following roster move:

• LHP Alexander Wells has cleared outright waivers and been assigned to Triple-A Norfolk.

The Washington Nationals celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15) at the ballpark and across media platforms, highlighting the cultures and traditions of the club’s Spanish-speaking fans and players alike. On Friday, Sept. 16 (7:05 PM vs. Miami), the Nationals honor the legendary Roberto Clemente as part of Major League Baseball’s league-wide recognition, and host Hispanic Heritage Night at Nationals Park.

Fans who purchase a special ticket to Friday’s Hispanic Heritage Day game will receive a limited-edition t-shirt showcasing Washington D.C.’s vibrant and diverse Hispanic culture. Prior to the game, the Nationals will recognize the home countries of the club’s Spanish-speaking players, and D.C. United defender Andy Najar, a native of Choluteca, Honduras, will throw out a ceremonial first pitch. Audacy Spanish-language music station 107.9 El Zol FM will also be at Nationals Park once gates open, giving away prizes while DJ Xplosive performs in Center Field Plaza.

This week, the Nationals and El Zol are rolling out a series of videos featuring some of the club’s Spanish-speaking players, including Victor Arano, Paolo Espino, Luis García, Yadiel Hernandez, Joey Meneses, Erasmo Ramírez, Victor Robles and Keibert Ruiz, talking about their home countries, traditions, foods and more. Created in partnership with El Zol and led by morning show hosts Patricia De Lima and Chepe, the pieces will run in Nationals Park prior to Friday’s game, on air during El Zol’s morning shows and will be posted to Nationals and El Zol social accounts throughout the week. Visit nationals.com/HispanicHeritage to see new videos as they are posted.

Manager Davey Martinez helped kick off Hispanic Heritage Month with the season’s final edition of Davey’s Dugout on Wednesday, Sept. 14. Davey’s Dugout is a monthly series in which Martinez extends special invitations to and meets with families and individuals of Hispanic heritage from the D.C. area.

For more information and to purchase special tickets for Hispanic Heritage Day, visit nationals.com/HispanicHeritage.