For the Orioles, the strikeouts and the frustrations are both mounting. After riding a high-scoring 18 runs in sweeping three games in Boston, the Orioles have been doing a lot of swinging and missing while losing the first two games of their series in the Bronx. The Birds were held to seven hits and fanned 14 times tonight, losing 7-2 to right-hander Gerrit Cole and the Yankees. An out away from being blanked for the second night in a row, Ryan Mountcastle beat out an infield single with two...

Rio Ruiz didn't move over to second base until the Orioles decided to move on from Yolmer Sánchez. That was the first click of the dial. How Ruiz became the opening day starter at the position, where he returned again last night, began with the Orioles needing someone to replace Sánchez, who was designated for assignment and released late in camp after signing a minor league deal that would have paid $1 million. They also were searching for ways to have Ruiz and new third baseman Maikel...

They came wearing their masks and had their temperatures taken and stayed distanced from everyone else in attendance because they wanted to witness precisely this moment. Bottom of the ninth, tie game, Juan Soto at the plate. It's the kind of situation the sellout crowd of 4,801 for the first ballgame at Nationals Park with fans in attendance in 18 months live for. And, to be honest, it's exactly the kind of situation the team itself sorely missed experiencing. The 2019 Nationals owned those...

When the Orioles play the Yankees tonight in Game 2 of a three-game series, right-hander Dean Kremer will make his first start of the season. After his call-up last year, his first two big league starts were against the Yankees. And Kremer pitched well in both games. He allowed one run in six innings in the first and one run in five innings in the second. So he went 11 innings, allowing five hits and two runs, with six walks and fanned 14. The first two big league batters he faced were DJ...

In preparation for the club's home opener on Thursday, April 8, at 3:05 p.m. ET against the Boston Red Sox, the Orioles have announced celebration plans and new ballpark features for the 2021 season. Festivities will begin at 2:30 p.m. ET with a special pre-game ceremony emceed by Orioles broadcaster Rob Long. Opening Day will feature: Welcome Back Video: The Orioles will welcome fans back to the ballpark with a video tribute during pre-game ceremonies, featuring an original poem by...

The news frenzy yesterday has been followed this afternoon by pregame tranquility, as evidenced by the six minutes that manager Brandon Hyde spent on his media Zoom call. Nothing worth stopping the real and proverbial presses. No roster moves or injury updates. Five Orioles made their major league debuts in 2020. Three earned the honor this season within the first four games - Rule 5 pitchers Mac Sceroler and Tyler Wells and outfielder Ryan McKenna. More pitchers should walk through the door...

Both Orioles catchers are in the lineup tonight in the Bronx, with Chance Sisco serving as the designated hitter and batting ninth against Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole. Anthony Santander is in right field after sitting out last night's 7-0 loss. Ryan Mountcastle remains in left field and is hitting cleanup. Rio Ruiz starts at second base for the fourth time in five games. Ryan McKenna is on the bench after making his major league debut last night and going 0-for-2 with a walk. He replaced...

Ticketed to start the 2020 season at Triple-A Norfolk, outfielder Ryan McKenna, like all minor league players, didn't get in any games last summer. He spent a lot of time putting in quality work at the O's alternate site and trying to improve his game. He was on the taxi squad a few times, traveling with the Orioles, but never made the active roster. Yesterday he did. When Austin Hays went to the injured list, the 24-year-old McKenna was activated. And then he got a start. Before he's ever...

The Orioles basically are scattered in three areas this month, with the team in New York for the first road trip of the season, minor league players reporting to the Sarasota complex for the next wave of spring training and a group working out at the alternate camp site in Bowie. Outfielder Heston Kjerstad remains on the outside. The plan calls for him to skip spring training and go directly to Prince George's Stadium, but he hasn't been cleared to participate. Kjerstad was the second overall...

The Nationals have unveiled their opening day roster, and as expected, it's missing a whole lot of prominent veterans. Though not Trea Turner. The club's 26-man roster does not include Josh Bell, Kyle Schwarber, Josh Harrison, Yan Gomes, Alex Avila, Patrick Corbin, Jon Lester, Brad Hand or Jordy Mercer. All were officially placed on the injured list, with no reason or timeline given. Only four of them actually tested positive for COVID-19; the others were deemed close contacts either by Major...