WASHINGTON – The Orioles haven’t made a roster move today to replace outfielder Dylan Beavers. Maverick Handley remains with the club as a third catcher.

Blaze Alexander’s ability to play the outfield provides extra coverage.

Infielder Jordan Westburg underwent Tommy John surgery on Wednesday in Los Angeles. President of baseball operations Mike Elias described it as “pretty normal.”

“I think it’s too early to put a specific timeline on something like this,” Elias said.

Closer Ryan Helsley (elbow) played catch for the first time today since going on the injured list.

Colton Cowser is playing center field tonight in the series opener against the Nationals in D.C. Samuel Basallo is the designated hitter, Tyler O’Neill is in right field, Coby Mayo is at third base and Jeremiah Jackson is at second base.

Shane Baz is struggling in his first season with the Orioles, posting a 5.48 ERA and 1.556 WHIP in eight starts. He’s allowed 10 earned runs and 11 total in 10 1/3 innings over his last two outings.

Baz has never faced the Nationals.

Per STATS, Baz could become the fourth Oriole to strike out at least four batters in each of his first nine starts with the club, joining Wei-Yin Chen, Kevin Millwood and Asher Wojciechowski. Chen did it in 12 and Millwood 10.

Pete Alonso’s 28 home runs against the Nationals are tied with Freddie Freeman for third most by an active player behind Giancarlo Stanton’s 38 and Marcell Ozuna’s 31, per STATS. His 115 hits against them are his highest total versus any opponent, and his 74 RBIs are second. He’s hitting .300 with a .397 on-base percentage.

The Orioles are 20-24 and in third place after winning three of their last four games. The Nationals swept them in a three-game series at Camden Yards in May 2025, costing manager Brandon Hyde his job. The Nats won two of three in D.C. a month earlier.

The Orioles are 22-3 in D.C. when holding the Nationals to three runs or fewer.

Right-hander Zack Littell signed with the Nationals in March for a guaranteed $7 million. He’s earning $3 million this year and can receive $2.5 million in potential incentives based on innings pitched. The deal includes a $12 million mutual option for 2027 with a $4 million buyout.

Littell is pitching for his sixth team. He’s 1-4 with a 6.94 ERA and 1.596 WHIP in 36 1/3 innings, making five starts among his eight appearances. His 14 home runs surrendered lead the majors.

Both of Littell’s appearances this month have come in relief. He allowed one run and one hit in 3 2/3 innings against the Brewers and two earned runs in four innings in Miami.

Gunnar Henderson is 7-for-23 with a double and two home runs against Littell. Taylor Ward is 4-for-8 with two homers, Leody Taveras is 3-for-6 with a homer, Cowser is 4-for-17 with a triple and two homers, and O’Neill is 2-for-16.

Both teams have first-year major league managers who also happen to be good friends. The Nationals, under Blake Butera, are 21-23 and tied with the Phillies for second place. They’ve gone 6-13 at home and 15-10 on the road.

The Nationals have won five of their last eight games. Their .731 OPS ranks fourth in the National League and seventh in the majors. But their 5.01 ERA is last in the NL and 29th in the majors.

The rotation’s 5.28 ERA is 28th in the majors, and the bullpen’s 4.81 ERA is last in the NL and 27th in the majors. Washington relievers have surrendered 30 home runs, most in the NL and second overall behind Houston’s 34.

The starters’ ERA is the fourth-highest in Nationals/Expos history through 44 games, per STATS.

For the Orioles
Gunnar Henderson SS
Taylor Ward LF
Adley Rutschman C
Pete Alonso 1B
Samuel Basallo DH
Tyler O’Neill RF
Colton Cowser CF
Coby Mayo 3B
Jeremiah Jackson 2B

Shane Baz RHP

The Orioles acquired right-hander Eduarniel Núñez from the Athletics earlier today for cash considerations and optioned him to Norfolk. They designated right-hander Christian Roa for assignment.

Núñez, 26, made his major league debut with the Padres last year and allowed two runs in 4 2/3 innings. He went to the Athletics July 31 in the Mason Miller trade and allowed eight runs and nine hits with seven walks and nine strikeouts in eight innings. He’s pitched in Double-A and Triple-A this year with a combined 4.61 ERA and 1.829 WHIP with 11 walks and 17 strikeouts in 13 2/3 innings.

Roa was claimed on waivers from the Twins earlier this week.

High-A Frederick outfielder Nate George, the organization’s No. 1 prospect per MLB Pipeline, is on the IL with an undisclosed illness. Elias said it’s “going to be a while.”

Norfolk outfielder Reed Trimble is out of the lineup for the second straight day with right hamstring discomfort.

For the Nationals
James Wood RF
Luis García Jr. DH
Curtis Mead 1B
CJ Abrams SS
Daylen Lile LF
Brady House 3B
Jorbit Vivas 2B
Drew Millas C
Jacob Young CF

Zack Littell RHP