One of the more startling developments of summer training camp beyond John Means' dead-arm period is the potential crashing of the opening day roster projection party. Who invited César Valdez and Dilson Herrera? It feels like they carpooled and brought their own keg. The odds of Valdez's making the trip to Boston for Friday night's opener were placed at a "hard no" back in March, if such a thing actually exists, as he worked out at the minor league complex in Twin Lakes Park. His five...

Stevie Wilkerson's bid to break summer camp with the Orioles as one of their super-utility players was hurt tonight in Philadelphia. Wilkerson is going to see a hand specialist to determine the cause of the swelling in his left ring finger. He made a diving catch in the bottom of the second inning to rob the Phillies' Jean Segura and came out of the game. Manager Brandon Hyde provided the update on his Zoom conference call with the media following a 5-1 win at Citizens Bank Park. Wilkerson is...

Thomas Eshelman might be making a late push for a rotation spot. Or if John Means can't make his first start, that could make room for right-hander Eshelman, who made a case for himself tonight in Philadelphia. Eshelman threw 4 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing four singles, as the Orioles beat the Phillies 5-1 at Citizens Bank Park. It is the first of three exhibitions for the Orioles ahead of their July 24 opener at Fenway Park in Boston. Eshelman actually made the last exhibition game start...

The Orioles remain uncertain about John Means' status for opening day, though there's been improvement in the condition of his left arm. Manager Brandon Hyde said the club remains in day-to-day mode with Means. "He felt a lot better today," Hyde said during his Zoom conference call with the media. "Has done a lot of treatment today. We haven't made a decision on that yet, but obviously we need to do that here in the next couple days." The Orioles won't use a starter on short rest if...

Victor Robles is convinced he'll be ready for opening night. The Nationals have four days to decide if they concur. Robles, who was cleared to participate in workouts Saturday for the first time this summer, said today that despite his lack of baseball activities while in quarantine, he expects to be good to go for the Nats' season opener against the Yankees. "Absolutely. I think I have the ability and the youth that helps me get ready quickly," the young center fielder said, via...

The Orioles will play their first summer training camp exhibition game tonight with Austin Hays leading off and Pat Valaika handling the shortstop position at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. José Iglesias' exclusion from the lineup is the only surprise. He didn't play in last night's final intrasquad game and received treatment for a sore back earlier in camp. Hanser Alberto, who's been a presence at the top of the lineup in intrasquads, is lowered to sixth tonight. DJ Stewart is...

Beyond the players that are in Bowie or Baltimore on the 60-man player pool, the Orioles would love to get some of their minor league players on the field in some way this year. The regular minor league season has been canceled, but the club is hoping there will still be a chance for players to work out and perhaps play intrasquad games. During a Zoom interview with reporters this morning, Orioles director of player development Matt Blood was asked if such a plan is in place. "Definitely...

Given an opportunity to write out what may very well be his opening night lineup for Saturday's exhibition opener, Nationals manager Davey Martinez included one mildly unexpected name: Asdrúbal Cabrera. Two weeks after suggesting rookie Carter Kieboom would be his everyday third baseman for this shortened season, Martinez offered a clue that probably won't be 100 percent true. Cabrera, not Kieboom, got the nod against the Phillies and appears the likely choice to start Thursday against the...

The only way to cool down José Iglesias in summer training camp is to offer him a seat in the dugout and keep him there. Point the big fan at him. Assuming those kind are permitted inside the ballpark. Iglesias brought a stellar defensive reputation to the organization after signing over the winter. One plus is inadequate when describing him. He's treating camp as if trying to make a point about other facets of his game. Don't sleep on the bat. Iglesias collected three more hits in Friday...

They stretched and played catch in the outfield, just like they always do. Max Scherzer warmed up in the bullpen, just like he always does. After a moment of silence for late Rep. John Lewis, everyone lined up and listened to the national anthem, just like they always do. And then, as pump-up music blared over the sound system and PA announcer Jerome Hruska introduced the Washington Nationals, the defending World Series champions took the field to face an opposing team at Nationals Park for the...