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...

The Baltimore Orioles today announced that they have signed their first overall selection of the 2019 First-Year Player Draft, catcher Adley Rutschman, from Oregon State University. The 2019 First-Year Player Draft marked the second time in Orioles history that the club had the first overall selection in the MLB Draft, with right-hander Ben McDonald in 1989 being the first. Rutschman has claimed every major amateur and collegiate baseball award, including being named the winner of the Golden...

The Nationals are going to take a flyer on another late-inning reliever with a track record of success but ugly numbers this season. Fernando Rodney, the 42-year-old with 325 career saves but a 9.42 ERA in 17 big league games this season, will be promoted from Triple-A Fresno and added to the active roster before Tuesday's series opener against the Marlins in Miami, a source familiar with the transaction confirmed. Rodney owns a 3.79 ERA and a long track record as a quality late-inning...

The confidence that Orioles executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias expressed in his ability to sign his top draft pick wasn't unfounded or misplaced. The Orioles announced this evening that they signed Oregon State catcher Adley Rutschman, with an introductory press conference scheduled for Tuesday afternoon. MLB.com's Jim Callis is reporting an agreement with Alabama prep shortstop Gunnar Henderson, the club's second-round pick. Rutschman, the first overall selection, will...

It appears Austin Voth's fill-in start Sunday opened enough eyes to warrant another look. The Nationals have optioned Erick Fedde to Triple-A Fresno, paving the way for Voth to remain as part of the big league rotation on the heels of his impressive outing Sunday afternoon against the Braves. Fedde had assumed the No. 5 starter's job over the last month, and had pitched well for much of that time, posting a 2.70 ERA in four outings. But he gave up five runs in six innings to the Diamondbacks...

One way the Nationals assist their young outfielders in preparing for where to set up defensively is outfield positioning cards. The laminated cards, not much bigger than a credit card, fit in the back pocket of their uniform pants. Left fielder Juan Soto and center fielder Victor Robles use the cards to see where they should stand defensively. Terms like "Pull 3" mean Soto should move three steps to his right for a right-handed hitter. "Oppo 6" directs Robles to moves six steps to his...

Some thoughts and observations to help get you through the Nationals' first day off in nearly two weeks before they return to action Tuesday night in Miami ... * The most significant development of Sunday's 10-inning loss to the Braves didn't occur in the late innings. It might well have happened in the first six, when Austin Voth authored by far the best outing of his brief major league career. Pressed into emergency starting duties to compensate for the pair of rainouts at the start of the...