Proceeds to benefit the National Federation of the Blind Tonight, the Orioles hosted National Federation of the Blind Night at Oriole Park, in recognition of the 40th anniversary of the organization moving its headquarters to Baltimore. Orioles players and coaches wore specially-designed jerseys with Braille lettering, becoming the first American professional sports team to wear Braille-lettered jerseys. The game-worn, authenticated, and autographed jerseys are available at...

MIAMI - Right-hander Stephen Strasburg started off well with a 1-2-3 first inning where he had to throw only seven pitches. In the second he allowed a leadoff homer by Peter O'Brien. After hitting Brian Anderson with a pitch, it looked like something bad was about to happen. But Strasburg got control of the inning with three impressive strikeouts in a row of Lewis Brinson, Austin Dean and Magneuris Sierra. He began the third by catching his counterpart right-hander Sandy Alcántara looking...

When right-hander Evan Phillips went two innings in a spot start for the Orioles last night, it was the latest outing where the Orioles starter did not get deep into the game. Right-hander Dylan Bundy (8-14, 5.48 ERA) will try to change that tonight in the second game of a series versus Toronto. Over the past eight games, O's starters have thrown a total of 25 innings. Five times in that stretch, their starter went two innings or less. That includes when Alex Cobb, Andrew Cashner and Luis...

Given the chance to remain in his current role, Orioles manager Buck Showalter would make defense one of his points of emphasis in spring training. Defending at a level that they need get back to or the losses will continue to mount. "There are some things offensively," he added, "without delving into it too deeply." Establishing leadership within the clubhouse also could aid the process, but who's a logical candidate with Adam Jones expected to leave as a free agent? The large roster...

MIAMI - The Nationals announced they have signed a player development contract with Triple-A Fresno Grizzlies of the Pacific Coast League for the 2019 and 2020 seasons. Nationals president of baseball operations and general manager Mike Rizzo said the club had preferred to go to Nashville, Tenn., after the New York Mets purchased the Syracuse Chiefs. But the Nashville Sounds agreed to a four-year deal with the Texas Rangers. That left the Nats with Fresno. The Houston Astros had left Fresno to...

Hunter Harvey had another setback today in the fall instructional league. He felt some discomfort in his right elbow while throwing on flat ground and has been shut down again. Harvey underwent an MRI on Aug. 22 that didn't reveal any structural damage in the elbow and he was allowed to resume throwing a week later. He initially had been cleared on Aug. 6 to get back on his program after experiencing some stiffness in his right forearm that removed him from the mound, but the Orioles shut him...

The Washington Nationals signed a two-year Player Development Contract with the Fresno Grizzlies of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League on Tuesday. The contract begins in 2019 and runs through the 2020 season. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the joint announcement, along with Fresno's Team President, Derek Franks. "The Washington Nationals are excited to be partnering with the Fresno Grizzlies of the Pacific Coast League," said President of...

Steve Wilkerson is getting the start at third base tonight for the Orioles, who will try to avoid a club-record 108th loss. Adam Jones is in right field. Breyvic Valera is the second baseman. DJ Stewart is in left field. Jonathan Villar is 28-for-32 in stolen base attempts and 14-for-16 since joining the Orioles. His 14 steals since Aug. 1 are the third-most in the American League. Luis Ortiz's hamstring is feeling much better today and it appears that he's ready to pitch again if the Orioles...

MIAMI - The Nationals still had a shot to hold on to their lead in the sixth inning and then again a chance to stay in the game when they tied at 5-5 in the seventh. But each time the Marlins put together a rally highlighted by multiple walks and multiple hits. The Marlins rallied to win 8-5 Monday night in the series opener at Marlins Park. Reliever Jimmy Cordero surrendered four consecutive hits in a three-run Marlins rally in the sixth that turned a 4-2 lead into a 5-4 deficit. Reliever Koda...

MIAMI - Center fielder Victor Robles had a big game offensively Monday and made another nice catch in the outfield in the Nationals' 8-5 setback. The third inning homer was his first in the major leagues. In the seventh, his hard-hit single kept a rally alive as the Nationals plated the tying run in the frame at 5-5. Robles caught a deep drive at the wall in center field to save a huge inning in the sixth off the bat of Starlin Castro. The young outfielder finished 2-for-4 with a homer and an...