The Orioles need a starter for Sunday's series finale. Jimmy Yacabonis is unavailable due to an illness - he was tested yesterday for strep throat - and manager Buck Showalter might resort to a bullpen game against the Rangers. His options depend on which relievers are needed tonight to back up rookie starter Yefry Ramírez. Showalter mentioned Chris Tillman again as a "possibility," but the club prefers to keep him at Triple-A Norfolk for Sunday's game against Gwinnett at Harbor...

NEW YORK - Davey Martinez said Friday night he'd speak to Bryce Harper today about the manner in which he ran out (or didn't run out) a double-play grounder during the Nationals' 4-2 loss to the Mets, and the rookie manager indeed met with his star outfielder this morning. The message that was delivered? "I've spoken to Bryce," Martinez said, "and that's a conversation that will stay between Bryce and I." Martinez did acknowledge after Friday's game, though, that he would have...

Catcher Austin Wynns has his locker set up in the clubhouse, and his return will be made official later today. Wynns is replacing Chance Sisco on the roster, as I mentioned last night. Instant update: The Orioles just announced the move. Tim Beckham remains the leadoff hitter tonight against the Rangers. Caleb Joseph is catching. Nothing much to talk about. Rangers left-hander Martin Pérez is making his sixth start of the season. His most recent came on April 29, before Pérez went on the...

The Orioles have played four one-run games among six on this current homestand, going 2-2. They lost 5-4 Friday night to Texas to start a three-game series that continues tonight at Oriole Park. Friday's loss was the fourth in five games for Baltimore, and the 10th in 12 games. The Orioles are 4-21 in their past 25 home games and are 1-16 this season versus American League West teams. They are 3-10 in July. Right-hander Yefry Ramírez (0-3, 3.93 ERA) will make his fourth start and fifth...

NEW YORK - Hello from Citi Field. Yes, I've swooped into town to cover the rest of the Nationals' weekend series with the Mets while Byron heads back home to handle pregame and postgame hosting duties on Nats Xtra. It's been an interesting series already, with the Nats winning Thursday night behind two homers from Anthony Rendon and one from Bryce Harper, then losing Friday night after Tanner Roark gave up four early runs and the lineup unable to get more than two back. Today we'll finally...

NEW YORK - The fourth time is the charm for right-hander Austin Voth. Or at least his fourth call to the major leagues. On Saturday afternoon, Voth will finally make his big league debut as he gets the ball for the Nationals against the Mets at Citi Field. Voth has previously been summoned on Oct 2, 2017. April 29, 2018 and June 18, 2018. His first start is today. "I don't know what the record is (for being called up and not getting into a game)," Voth said. "I've been waiting for this...

Orioles left-handed pitching prospect Alex Wells of the Single-A Frederick Keys had such elite command and control last year that it was almost a given that he could not duplicate that this season in moving up from the South Atlantic League to the Carolina League. But for the most part, he's handled the move up well, albeit with a couple of recent bumps in the road. But a road that has taken him from Newcastle, South Wales, Australia to the Orioles will take the 21-year-old Wells to the...

While reports have surfaced that the Indians are expressing interest in Orioles center fielder Adam Jones, the first real buzz attached to the five-time All-Star and pending free agent, he still hasn't been approached by the club regarding his 10-5 status. Jones has earned the right to refuse a trade based on his 10 years in the majors and five with the Orioles. Could they be waiting until they have an actual offer in hand before taking it to Jones, rather than just seeking blanket approval...

NEW YORK - Right-hander Tanner Roark struggled early but then settled in to finish five innings Friday night. But the Nationals could not solve right-hander Noah Syndergaard and two relievers in a 4-2 loss at Citi Field. Once again, the Nats fall back to .500, at 47-47. With the Phillies 2-0 shutout of the Marlins, the Nats deficit in the division has reached 6 1/2 games. Roark (3-12) started the game by allowing three consecutive singles. José Bautista's RBI single highlighted a three-run...

The Orioles are swapping out catchers again tonight by returning rookie Chance Sisco to Triple-A Norfolk. They made the announcement following a 5-4 loss to the Rangers at Camden Yards. The corresponding move will become official on Saturday with rookie Austin Wynns recalled from Norfolk. Sisco also was sent down on June 17, and returned 11 days later. He's batting .195/.306./.289 with eight doubles, two home runs and 16 RBIs in 58 games. Since rejoining the Orioles, Sisco has collected only...