MIAMI - Jonny Venters has been called up to join major league rosters under more noteworthy circumstances than this, from his major league debut with the Braves in 2010 to his return in 2018 following a six-year layoff. That doesn't mean the 34-year-old reliever didn't still get that familiar feeling of accomplishment when he got the call Monday to join the Nationals in Miami. "I couldn't have been more excited, especially with the way this team's been playing lately," he said. "And...

While catcher Adley Rutschman continued his day at Camden Yards with rounds of batting practice, hitting balls over the flag court in right field, former Orioles infielder Manny Machado met with the media in the auxiliary clubhouse and tried to express his feelings at returning to the city for the first time since last summer's trade. Machado wore a sleeveless T-shirt in Padres blue and a smile that kept reappearing as he reminisced about his time in Baltimore and the various influences that...

MIAMI - There isn't nearly the kind of buzz surrounding the Nationals' upcoming week as there was for the last one, but that doesn't mean this isn't an important road trip for the team. It also doesn't mean it's going to be an easy one. Though the Marlins own the National League's worst record, they're playing a whole lot better right now than they were to begin the season. After opening up a dreadful 10-31, they've gone 20-15 since May 17, and they'll ride a four-game winning streak...

In introducing Adley Rutschman today, the top pick in the 2019 First-Year Player Draft, Orioles executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias said Rutschman would begin his pro career in the rookie-level Gulf Coast League and then move on to short season Single-A Aberdeen. "He's won a lot of awards this summer for his accomplishments in college and he's got a few more," Elias said at today's press conference at Camden Yards. "Then we'll send him to our spring training facility...

Catcher Adley Rutschman, the first overall pick in the First-Year Player Draft who signed his contract with the Orioles yesterday, will receive a few more awards this week before beginning his professional career. The banquet circuit will be followed by a trip down to Sarasota, where Rutschman will report to the Gulf Coast League team. Executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias said Rutschman eventually will join short-season Single-A Aberdeen to conclude his first summer outside...

The Orioles have made another move this afternoon by claiming right-hander Tayler Scott off waivers from the Mariners and optioning him to Triple-A Norfolk. Left-hander Sean Gilmartin was designated for assignment to create room on the 40-man roster. Scott, the first pitcher from South Africa to play in the majors, is a 27-year-old rookie who served as the Mariners' opener Thursday against the Orioles. He walked the bases loaded in two-thirds of an inning. In five appearances, Scott has...

MIAMI - The Nationals are going to give another veteran reliever with shaky numbers so far this season a chance to help their bullpen during this final stretch before the All-Star break. Jonny Venters, the longtime Braves left-hander who has overcome what he describes as "3 1/2" Tommy John surgeries, will be promoted from Double-A Harrisburg before tonight's series opener against the Marlins, a source familiar with the transaction confirmed. Venters, 34, joins right-hander Fernando Rodney,...

It was a banner Monday for Orioles' draft pick signings as they officially announced the signing of Oregon State catcher Adley Rutschman, who they took with the first pick in the first round. We also learned that they've agreed to terms with second-round pick, high school shortstop Gunnar Henderson from Selma, Ala. All along the confidence level from the organization was high that they'd get these picks. The process played out and the job got done. MLBPipeline.com's Jim Callis reported that...

The Nationals just completed their most important homestand of the season to date. We noted it. They acknowledged it. And while the 6-4 record they posted against the Diamondbacks, Phillies and Braves may feel a bit disappointing given the opportunities they had to win a couple more games, that's actually a good representation of what they need to do the rest of the season to have a realistic shot at making the playoffs. We've pointed out that the Nationals have played .667 ball since their...

The Orioles have lost 11 of their last 12 games, 15 of 18 and 27 of 34. They went 1-6 on the road trip and were outscored 59-29. They've surrendered 10 runs or more in six games this month and the rotation is in turmoil with another bullpen collaboration in the works tonight, John Means on the injured list and Gabriel Ynoa allowing 13 runs in his last two starts over 7 2/3 innings They're 9-28 at home, easily the lowest win total in the majors. The have a run differential of -181, easily the...