When Orioles executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias confirmed recently that 14 members of the O's player development department will not be returning next year, it was a tough day. But Elias needs to be able to bring in his own people, and he said that change is needed to improve the Orioles. The moves are hard but not totally unexpected. He inherited a lot of his staff last November. The reshaping of it comes now. Last week, one of those 14 reached out and wanted to thank...

DETROIT - Being chosen as the International League's Player of the Month for August will be the last honor bestowed upon pitcher Chandler Shepherd in 2019. However, the true highlight of his summer is coming Tuesday night. Shepherd has been told that he's starting against the Blue Jays at Camden Yards, a first for him in the majors after two relief appearances with the Orioles. "It's special for me. I'm obviously super excited for the opportunity," Shepherd said yesterday morning while...

Aníbal Sánchez put together another solid performance in lifting the Nationals to a 7-0 win over the Braves. The veteran right-hander twirled seven scoreless innings, scattering three hits with one walk and three strikeouts. For one of the rare times in their matchups these past two weeks, the Braves never had a shot at gaining an early advantage, and that was because of Sánchez. "It's good," Sánchez said. "Always a lead is good. It always good to go back to the dugout with the...

DETROIT - Rio Ruiz would have attracted a crowd at his locker last night, or whatever passed for one with a scaled-back media crew, if not for the walk-off grand slam that doomed the Orioles. Ruiz had provided a lead in the top of the 12th with his run-scoring single off Tigers left-hander Daniel Stumpf, but he was bumped down every story and allowed to eat his postgame meal in peace after Ryan Eades issued a bases-loaded walk and John Hicks followed with the home run. Given another chance...

The Nationals needed to win today, plain and simple. It did not matter who they were playing. It did not matter who was on the mound for either team. It did not matter how they felt physically or emotionally as they navigate their way through a particularly grueling final portion of their schedule. It didn't even matter who was managing from the dugout. After dropping the first two games of this series and after dropping 8-of-12 overall to see their once-comfortable lead in the wild card race...

Charlie Culberson suffered multiple facial fractures when he was hit in the right cheek trying to bunt a fastball from Nationals reliever Fernando Rodney during Saturday's game, but the Braves utilityman was released from the hospital later in the evening, spent the night at the team's hotel and has been cleared to fly home to Atlanta today. All things considered, that was positive news from everyone's perspective today at Nationals Park, where the two clubs are preparing to play their...

First baseman Matt Adams has missed two games after tweaking his left shoulder/triceps region Thursday night in Minnesota. But manager Davey Martinez's update Sunday revealed a more serious injury. "Matt Adams has an AC sprain," Martinez said. "So, he's going to be day-to-day. I talked to him yesterday. He's just a bit sore. He's getting some medication. So hopefully in the next few days we'll see where he's at." Adams has been a crucial power bat off the bench and filled in for long...

DETROIT - Using nine relievers last night has forced manager Brandon Hyde to make a few adjustments for today's game against the Tigers. The expanded roster doesn't solve every issue. Hunter Harvey is available because Hyde kept him in the bullpen for an 8-4, 12-inning loss. However, he's going to avoid multiple relievers this afternoon while hoping for an extended appearance from starter Asher Wojciechowski. "There's a lot of guys that I'm going to stay away from today," Hyde said....

DETROIT - Anthony Santander is playing center field today as the Orioles continue their series against the Tigers. Trey Mancini is playing first base with Chris Davis staying on the bench. Dwight Smith Jr. is in left field and DJ Stewart is in right. Chance Sisco is catching. Asher Wojciechowski has never faced the Tigers. Edwin Jackson has pitched for 14 teams, including the Tigers twice. He's registered an 8.51 ERA and 1.891 WHIP this season in seven starts. Jackson is 7-1 with a 3.11 ERA...

After two losses to begin the series, the Nationals again find themselves facing a Sunday finale seeking a salvage against the Braves. Last weekend in Atlanta, the Nats came through with a win on Sunday after losing three in a row. This time around they look to former Braves starter Aníbal Sánchez (8-8, 4.04 ERA) to stop the sweep. Sánchez has allowed two earned runs or fewer in three of his last four starts. The Braves put up southpaw Max Fried (16-5, 4.02), who defeated the Nats 4-2...