The Orioles assigned Josh Rogers one of the lockers closest to the entrance that allows the media inside, and he already was planted in his seat today at 3:10 p.m. as the door swung open. He made eye contact with a reporter and began to rise before realizing that there wouldn't be an introduction. Never talk to the pitcher on the day that he's starting. It's an unwritten rule that applies to veterans and rookies. Rogers would be surrounded later in the night, of course, after making his...

PHILADELPHIA - No surprise that Scherzer vs. Nola II started out as a pitcher's duel. Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer allowed a bloop single to Scott Kingery and just grazed Nick Williams with a pitch in the second inning. But the Phillies were unable to score. Scherzer has struck out two. Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola has not allowed a hit in his first three frames. He has struck out three. After three innings, the Nats and the Phillies are scoreless. Update: As in last week's...

There may be a little over a month left in the 2018 season for the big leaguers, but minor league affiliates are nearing the end of the campaign, and for some, the season has already concluded. The Orioles' Rookie-level affiliate, the Gulf Coast League Orioles, wrapped up their season Saturday and despite their record, there were some standouts worth mentioning. The GCL Orioles did not do so well this season record-wise, as they finished the year 13-42, the worst record in the GCL. They...

After recording their sixth shutout of the year behind right-hander David Hess last night and ending an eight-game losing streak, the Orioles host the Toronto Blue Jays again tonight. It's the second game of a three-game series and sixth of a seven-game homestand. Hess went six scoreless on four hits and 99 pitches as the Orioles (34-98) snapped a 10-game losing streak to Toronto. He improved to 3-8 with a 5.08 ERA and picked up his first win since May 25. Hess has a 2.19 ERA over his last...

PHILADELPHIA - Gio Gonzalez will take the mound for the finale of a three-game series between Nationals and Phillies. The Nats are going for a sweep of the Phillies and their fourth straight victory. But which version of the erratic left-hander will show up at Citizens Bank Park? In his last outing against the Mets on Aug. 24 at Citi Field, Gonzalez pitched a gem, spinning seven innings of seven-hit, one-run ball without walking a batter. But he took the loss in a 3-0 defeat, falling to 7-11...

PHILADELPHIA - Left-hander Sean Doolittle threw in the bullpen again today as the closer recovers from a toe injury, and the session went "really well," according to his skipper. Nationals manager Davey Martinez says Doolittle will now take a big step to returning to the active roster later this week. "Sim game," Martinez said. "We will do a sim game on Friday. He's progressively getting better, feels better. The ball is coming out pretty good now. So, get him to face some hitters, and...

The Orioles rank 11th in the American League with 54 stolen bases, but they are trending up with that stat after getting six steals the last two games. They are doing a lot better than the 2017 Orioles, who had 32 steals for the year to rank last in the AL, 21 behind the next closest team. Second baseman Jonathan Villar is happy to lead the charge when it comes to steals. He wants to get some of his own steals and he is very ready, he said, to help his teammates learn the art of the steal. "We...

The Orioles are withholding Cedric Mullins from tonight's lineup as a precaution after the rookie complained of soreness in his hip that led to his benching Sunday night. Manager Buck Showalter said Mullins is available tonight. John Andreoli gets the start in center field, his first since joining the Orioles. "He's OK, he's available," Showalter said of Mullins. "Just, we want to get a look at John in center field and just trying to be a little careful with (Mullins') leg. I'd really...

Left-hander Josh Rogers had his contract selected from Triple-A Norfolk and gets tonight's start against the Blue Jays, becoming the 53rd player used by the Orioles this season and the 12th to make his major league debut. The club record is 14, in 1955. The Orioles placed Tides catcher Andrew Susac on the restricted list to create room for Rogers on the 40-man roster. Susac fractured his left wrist last month after being hit by a foul ball and left the team. Left-handers hit .211 against...

The Orioles have agreed to terms with international players infielder Moises Ramirez, a 16-year-old out of the Dominican Republic, and RHP Carlos del Rosario, a 19-year-old out of the Dominican Republic. Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations Dan Duquette provided the following quote: "Today's signings are part of a coordinated plan for the Orioles to reestablish the club in the international recruiting arena. Ramirez has all the tools to be a solid offensive player in the middle of...