There are far loftier goals on the Nationals’ checklist, certainly once the calendar flips to 2024. This is a franchise that won’t consider the rebuild it embarked on two years ago a true success until it’s playing in October again. But it takes steps to get there, and today the Nats took a meaningful step on their projected path back to contention

Victor Robles wandered through the Nationals clubhouse Wednesday afternoon, a familiar face but in many ways a forgotten one. It’s been nearly two months since Robles last played, and he has appeared in only five games since early May, a persistent back injury having sidelined him for the better part of the season now. And given the lack of progres

The Nationals have already gone 4-1 on this homestand. They’ve got a chance to add to that today and reach a significant milepost for the season. Their next win will be No. 55, which would match their 2022 total. Yeah, there are still 40 games to go after today. That would be quite the accomplishment by mid-August. It’s a couple of veteran left-han

When catcher Samuel Basallo of the Dominican Republic, who just turned 19, recently moved into the top 50 of a couple of top 100 prospects lists, it was an important milestone for the Orioles’ international program. He is the first player from the international program since Mike Elias and his front office took over to make a top 100 and now a top

CJ Abrams has been better lately. Lane Thomas has been better over the course of the entire season. Joey Meneses has been better with runners in scoring position. But there may be nobody the Nationals would rather see at the plate in a big spot late in a close game right now than Keibert Ruiz. The proof is there for everyone to see, and it was agai

SAN DIEGO – No team is going to keep an Opening Day roster intact for 162 games. The first month is dicey. The first half is virtually impossible. The Orioles have used 47 players this season and are 121 games into their schedule. They are expected to reinstate left-hander John Means from the 60-day injured list next month. They’d likely provide ma

SAN DIEGO – Be careful with the soft spots in the schedule. The footing can get slippery. The Orioles are playing teams below .500 in four out of the next five series, beginning with the Padres and including a trip to Oakland. A reprieve on paper. A trap on the field the past two nights. Left-hander Blake Snell held the Orioles to two runs over six

There have been some notable bumps along the way, some duds every once in a while when he takes the mound. But there have been more than a few really good nights for MacKenzie Gore in his first full season with the Nationals. And none as good as the one the crowd at Nationals Park witnessed tonight. Even if it did end abruptly and earlier than anyo

After a 4-1 win Monday night and a 10-3 loss on Tuesday, the Orioles wrap up their series at San Diego tonight. The winner this evening will take this series. The Orioles (74-46) ended play Tuesday three games ahead of Tampa Bay for the American League East lead. The O's are 10-6 in rubber-match games. Should they win this game, they will improve t

SAN DIEGO – The Orioles are keeping their rotation in line for the series in Oakland that begins Friday night. Kyle Gibson starts the opening game, followed by Cole Irvin and Kyle Bradish. The six-man arrangement isn't changing. The club didn’t make a roster move today to bring in a fresh bullpen arm. The off-day on Thursday influenced its decision