MINNEAPOLIS - He's hitting .286 overall and .476 with runners in scoring position, so why not move Dwight Smith Jr. to the cleanup spot in the Orioles batting order? He's there tonight for the start of a three-game series with Minnesota at Target Field. When he was traded to the Orioles on March 8, probably not even Smith himself could have imagined things going this well with his new team. He was acquired for international signing bonus slots and has hit .286/.327/.527 with seven doubles,...

Prior the opening game of their series with the Padres, the Nationals placed right-hander Trevor Rosenthal on the 10-day injured list with a viral infection and reinstated right-hander Justin Miller from the IL. Rosenthal has had an extremely poor start to the season, throwing with good velocity but almost completely unable to find the strike zone on a consistent basis. He has allowed five runs in his last three innings over three appearances with five walks and two hit batters. His season ERA...

The Orioles wisely used their selection in the eighth round of the 2013 draft on Notre Dame first baseman Trey Mancini, who has emerged as their top hitter and someone capable of making the transition to the outfield. Finding Mancini still available after using earlier picks on outfielder Josh Hart, left-hander Travis Seabrooke, infielder Drew Dosch and catchers Jonah Heim and Alex Murphy was fortuitous. He's going to be a steal if he continues to grow as a player, the heights perhaps...

Chris Davis isn't in the Orioles lineup for tonight's series opener against the Twins in Minnesota. Davis had to leave the club Wednesday for personal reasons, but manager Brandon Hyde said the first baseman would join the team in Minnesota. The Twins are starting left-hander Martín Pérez and Davis is 3-for-19 with 10 strikeouts lifetime against him. Davis was 2-for-17 with a home run at the old Metrodome, but he's slashed .338/.368/.723 with seven doubles and six home runs in 68 plate...

It is absolutely pouring here on South Capitol Street, as appears to be the case throughout the region. The good news: The storms are supposed to clear out of here before gametime, though it may be awfully windy for the Nationals' series opener against the Padres. The weather won't do anything to dampen Carter Kieboom's excitement for his major league debut. The 21-year-old infielder officially had his contract purchased from Triple-A Fresno this afternoon, and he's in the lineup starting...

The Washington Nationals selected the contract of infielder Carter Kieboom on Friday. On Thursday, the Nationals optioned infielder Jake Noll to Triple-A Fresno. Additionally, the Nationals transferred right-handed pitcher Koda Glover to the 60-day Injured List. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements. Kieboom, 21, joins the Nationals after hitting .379 (25-for-66) with six doubles, one triple, three homers, 18 RBI, 16 walks and 14 runs...

MINNEAPOLIS - The Orioles begin a two-city, six-game road trip tonight at Target Field against the Minnesota Twins. The trip moves to Chicago on Monday for a three-game series against the White Sox. The Orioles are 10-16 overall and 7-6 on the road, winning series at New York against the Yankees and in Toronto. While O's pitchers have allowed 41 homers in 13 home games with a home ERA of 7.38, they have given up many fewer homers away from Camden Yards. They have allowed 18 in 13 road games...

The Orioles completed another round of roster business this morning, keeping a pitcher in their organization who could provide a fresh arm for their bullpen later in the summer. He just needs to get back on the 40-man roster. Right-hander Josh Lucas cleared waivers today and accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk. The Orioles optioned Lucas between games of Saturday's doubleheader to create room for Alex Cobb on the 25-man roster and designated him for assignment two days later....

The amazing start to the 2019 season continued last night for Double-A Harrisburg in a 10-7 extra-inning win over Hartford. The Senators scored four runs in the eighth and four runs in the 11th to seal the victory. Harrisburg is a franchise-best 17-3 after 20 games, dating back to 1987. Chuck Taylor went 2-for-2 and drove in four runs after arriving as a pinch-hitter in the eighth. Starter Tyler Mapes allowed only one unearned run in five frames. Dan Jennings tossed 1 2/3 innings and allowed...

When his team suffered a spate of early-season injuries in April 2012, Mike Rizzo made the decision to call up Bryce Harper and give the 19-year-old a chance in the big leagues. Harper never returned to the minors. When his team needed a third baseman in April 2013, Rizzo summoned Anthony Rendon straight from Double-A. Rendon would briefly return to the minors, but by June he was back in the majors for good. When his team needed an offensive boost in August 2015, Rizzo promoted Trea Turner and...