Top prospect Adley Rutschman is one of the highest profile names listed among players chosen today for the All-Star Futures Game. Rutschman, chosen by the Orioles as the first overall selection in the 2019 draft out of Oregon State University, was selected to the American League team. One of his teammates is Triple-A Norfolk pitcher Marcos Diplán. The 22nd installment of the game will be played at 3 p.m. Sunday, July 11, at Coors Field in Denver. Rutschman, 23, is batting .287/.426/.520 with...

Washington Nationals top pitching prospect Cade Cavalli has been selected to represent the organization in the 2021 SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game. Major League Baseball made the announcement today on MLB Network's "MLB Central." The 22nd SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game features the top Minor League prospects competing as part of All-Star Sunday. Cavalli, 22, leads all of Minor League Baseball with 88 strikeouts and ranks among all Minor League pitchers in ERA (4th, 1.77), WHIP (7th, 0.89)...

Given the historic home run barrage he's been on over the last 2 1/2 weeks, it's only been natural to wonder if Kyle Schwarber is going to earn a coveted spot in the upcoming Home Run Derby at Coors Field. Schwarber, though, all but said Tuesday night he doesn't expect to find himself in Colorado in two weeks for the annual midsummer power exhibition that leads into the following night's All-Star Game. "If I was approached, I would probably not do it just in terms of ... you get a little...

On Sunday, July 11, the First-Year Player Draft for 2021 will begin at 7 p.m. There is no consensus No. 1 pick this year, as in some previous years, but there is surely plenty of speculation about what the Orioles will do. After executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias selected Oregon State catcher Adley Rutschman No. 1 overall in 2019 and Arkansas outfielder Heston Kjerstad No. 2 overall last year, he will make the No. 5 pick in round one this time. In a Zoom interview taped...

A bullpen game to compensate for optioning a starter to the minors is a shakier proposition when six relievers are used the previous night. At least the Orioles planned on it tonight. Well, part of it. The Astros unexpectedly tapped into their bullpen in the second inning to replace injured starter José Urquidy. Travis Lakins Sr. exited with an injury after loading the bases with two outs in the bottom of the second. There are bullpen games and then there are emergency situations, mad...

The draft and All-Star break are approaching in Major League Baseball, running together like colors in the wash. They also move the sport closer to the trade deadline and stacking of chips. The Orioles have taken some hits, their pile reduced, but there's still the potential for some movement. Freddy Galvis isn't going anywhere after straining his right quadriceps muscle Saturday afternoon in Buffalo. Manager Brandon Hyde described it as a "Grade 1-plus" and projected a one- to two-month...

It's not quite on par with Dodger Stadium, but Nationals Park typically takes a couple innings to fill up most nights. Such is life in this traffic-infested town we call home. If you've got a ticket to watch the local nine, though, you might want to start budgeting some extra commuting time to make sure you're in your seats well before the first pitch of the bottom of the first. Because if you're not here, there's a good chance you're going to miss something memorable from the hottest...

Travis Lakins Sr. gets a spot start for the Orioles tonight as they play at Houston in the second of a three-game series. The Orioles scored five runs in the ninth last night - two more than they scored last week in three games against Houston - and they won 9-7. It was their most runs and hits (15) in one game since June 8 in a 10-3 win over the New York Mets. Last night the top five in the Baltimore order - Cedric Mullins, Austin Hays, Trey Mancini, Ryan Mountcastle and Ryan McKenna - were a...

For the Trey Mancini, it was an easy decision to accept an invitation to take part in the Home Run Derby competition in Denver on July 12 as part of the All-Star game festivities. Mancini, during a Zoom interview today, talked about winning a home run derby once in college. But this occasion gives him another chance to inspire anyone dealing with cancer and trying to beat it. Mancini missed the entire 2020 season after his diagnosis and surgery for Stage 3 colon cancer. He wants to take...

The latest Orioles lineup combination tonight has Ryan McKenna batting fifth and playing left field, with Austin Hays in right field and Anthony Santander serving as the designated hitter. Domingo Leyba is playing second base and Maikel Franco returns to the lineup at third. Austin Wynns is catching. Meanwhile, with a marathon win last night, the Orioles summoned right-hander Conner Greene from Triple-A Norfolk and put him on the taxi squad. A fresh arm is close. Greene would become the 11th...