The Washington Nationals acquired left-handed pitcher Jake Eder and first baseman Sam Brown from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for right-handed pitcher Luis Garcia and left-handed pitcher Andrew Chafin on Wednesday. Eder has been optioned to Triple-A Rochester and right-handed pitcher Zach Brzykcy has been recalled from Triple-A Rochester. Nationals Interim General Manager Mike DeBartolo made the announcements.

Eder, 26, is Los Angeles’ No. 24 prospect, according to Baseball America. He has appeared in eight Major League games for the Angels, posting a 4.91 ERA with 15 strikeouts in 18.1 innings pitched. In his last Major League outing on July 23 at New York (NL), he struck out seven batters and issued just one walk in 6.0 innings of work out of the Angels’ bullpen (7 H, 5 ER). He was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake on July 24 and is 2-7 with a 6.11 ERA and 52 strikeouts in 13 Triple-A outings this season.

A starter at the Minor League level, Eder has recorded 10.3 strikeouts per 9.0 innings in 66 career starts since being selected by Miami in the fourth round of the 2020 First-Year Player Draft out of Vanderbilt University. He was acquired by the Chicago White Sox in exchange for Jake Burger on Aug. 1, 2023, and by the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for cash considerations on March 31, 2025. In 2024, he was tied for third among White Sox farmhands with 122 strikeouts.

Brown, 23, is in his second professional season after being selected by the Angels in the 12^th round of the 2023 First-Year Player Draft out of Washington State University. He ranks among Angles Minor Leaguers in walks (T5^th, 46), triples (T7^th, 4) and on-base percentage (8^th, .350). In 92 games for Double-A Rocket City, Brown is hitting .244 with 12 doubles, four triples, five home runs, 40 RBI, 46 walks, two stolen bases and 92 runs scored.

The left-handed hitting Brown has appeared at first base (183 G), designated hitter (31 G), right field (6 G) and left field (2 G) so far in his professional career.

HOUSTON – We have reached the final day of this road trip and the final game before the trade deadline. As things currently stand, the Nationals have made only one move this week, sending Amed Rosario to the Yankees after Saturday night’s game in Minnesota. Be prepared for a lot more activity between now and 6 p.m. Thursday.

In the meantime, there’s a game to be played this afternoon against the Astros, and the Nats have a chance to win their third straight series if they can beat the Astros. They’ve got their ace on the mound for what should be a fascinating start. Is this MacKenzie Gore’s final outing before a trade? How will Miguel Cairo manage this start with that in mind, pulling him early to avoid risk of injury or struggles or letting him go to give everything he’s got? Where is Gore’s mind right now as he prepares to take the mound?

A Nationals lineup that has struck out a whopping 33 times through the first two games of this series will look to make more contact today against Houston starter Ryan Gusto. The 26-year-old rookie has bounced back and forth between the rotation and bullpen, making 13 starts and 10 relief appearances and compiling a 5.18 ERA and 1.475 WHIP. He was roughed up by the Athletics last time out to the tune of eight runs in only 3 1/3 innings.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS at HOUSTON ASTROS
Where: Daikin Park
Gametime: 2:10 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN2, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, 87.7 FM (Spanish), MLB.com
Weather: Indoors

NATIONALS
SS CJ Abrams
LF James Wood
2B Luis García Jr.
DH Josh Bell
1B Nathaniel Lowe
3B Paul DeJong
RF Daylen Lile
C Drew Millas
CF Jacob Young

The Orioles will go for the four-game sweep this afternoon, in the final game before the trade deadline, with Adley Rutschman serving as designated hitter and cleanup hitter, and Dylan Carlson in right field.

Tyler O’Neill and Ramón Laureano are on the bench.

Dean Kremer allowed five runs in six innings against the Rockies in his last start after surrendering one run over 14 innings in his two previous outings. His first start came in Toronto on March 29 and he allowed five runs in 5 2/3 innings.

Kremer owns a 5.14 ERA and 1.516 WHIP in 12 career games (11 starts) against the Blue Jays. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is 11-for-31 with two doubles and five home runs.

The Orioles have won five games in a row and six out of seven, but they remain seven back for the last Wild Card with seven teams ahead of them.

The swing and the sound were vintage Tyler O’Neill. A positive perfect storm creating a loud clap of thunder and putting more runs on the scoreboard.

This is the version of Tyler O’Neill that the Orioles anticipated for the 2025 season and perhaps beyond, depending on the opt-out clause in his three-year, $49.5 million free-agent contract.

His health didn’t allow it, whether keeping him off the field or out of the batting cages, but O’Neill is teasing again – just like he did in March with three hits on Opening Day, including another home run, and four on the 31^st in Boston.

O’Neill homered in four consecutive games and almost made it five last night in the nightcap of a doubleheader, his drive to deep left field in the fifth inning so close to sneaking inside the pole that the Orioles challenged the call. The at-bats are much better, much more competitive.

For example, O’Neill saw 19 pitches in his first three plate appearances in Game 1, running the count full each time and producing a sacrifice fly, a walk and single after falling behind 0-2. O’Neill changed his approach and homered on a first-pitch slider in the sixth, and he struck out on six pitches in the seventh.

The Orioles have made the following roster move:

• Returned 27^th man RHP Brandon Young to Double-A Chesapeake after today’s doubleheader.

HOUSTON – Michael Soroka took the mound tonight knowing there was a good chance it would be his final start for the Nationals, knowing the better he pitched, the more attractive he might make himself to any interested contenders.

He then found out that’s easier said than done, especially when the opposing lineup makes you work as much as the Astros did.

Unable to complete four innings for the first time this season due to a high pitch count, Soroka didn’t figure in the decision in the Nats’ eventual 7-4 loss. The bullpen was charged with the final five runs, turning a once-tied game into a relatively comfortable victory for Houston.

But the spotlight tonight was squarely on Soroka, who took the mound less than 48 hours before the trade deadline and once again turned in a start that included a combination of positive and negative developments.

Houston’s hitters put up a massive fight from the get-go, battling tough pitches and prolonging at-bats. Their first four batters saw a combined 28 pitches, and a whopping 13 of those were fouled off. Cam Smith then got a pitch he could do something with and sent it down the right field line for an RBI double and a 1-0 lead.

Yennier Cano left his seat in the Orioles’ dugout after the bottom of the third inning and began his stroll to the home bullpen. He’s already said his goodbyes to Bryan Baker, Gregory Soto and Seranthony Domínguez. Just part of the business. And it creates major complications for those left standing, and walking, who want to keep winning.

Rookie Brandon Young, recalled today as the 27^th man in Game 2, hadn’t completed the fifth inning in six of his seven starts. Interim manager Tony Mansolino probably spent part of his afternoon introducing himself to his new relievers and wondering how he’d piece together nine frames. And whether everyone in the room was ready for the possibility of high-leverage work.

Young retired the side in order in the fifth and earned the chance to keep going, getting through the sixth and leaving with the score tied and a quality start on his resume. That was one worry put to bed.

Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman hit back-to-back doubles off Jeff Hoffman in the eighth and Corbin Martin earned his first career save in the Orioles’ 3-2 victory over the Blue Jays before an announced crowd of 14,929 at Camden Yards. The bullpen logged three scoreless innings, and the Orioles won their fifth game in a row and sixth out of seven.

Oh, these silly sellers.

HOUSTON – Kyle Finnegan has been here before, the trade deadline fast approaching, his name bandied about as a potential target to be acquired by a contending team, the Nationals fielding offers for their veteran closer.

It happened in 2023, and he wasn’t traded. It happened in 2024, and he wasn’t traded. This time, the odds would seem to be tilted heavily toward an actual trade, given his pending status as a free agent and the Nats’ continued status at the bottom of the National League East. But Finnegan insists he’s less engaged with the process this time around.

“I definitely care way less and have been following it way less after three, four years of it,” he said. “If it happens, it happens. I’m happy here. Obviously, as players, you want to play in the postseason. I’m just really not thinking about it. I’m way more concerned with what I’m trying to do out on the field. I’m here until I’m not.”

Does Finnegan understand the irony of that sentiment, that he stressed more about getting traded in the years when he was less likely to be traded?

“The chatter’s always been out there, but I understand how the game works. And this year is probably the most likely scenario,” he said. “But at the same time, I feel like the team’s not going to get rid of guys just to get rid of them. They have to feel like they get a fair deal coming back. As likely as it is, I won’t believe it until it happens.”

The Orioles have made the following roster moves:

• Recalled RHP Elvin Rodríguez from Double-A Chesapeake. He will wear No. 83.
• Selected the contract of RHP Houston Roth from Double-A Chesapeake. He will wear No. 95 and his first appearance will be his MLB debut.
• Optioned RHP Yaramil Hiraldo to Double-A Chesapeake after Game 1 of today’s doubleheader.

The Orioles’ 40-man roster currently has 38 players.

The Orioles today announced that they have acquired minor league right-handed pitcher JUARON WATTS-BROWN from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for right-handed pitcher SERANTHONY DOMÍNGUEZ and cash considerations.

Watts-Brown, 23, is 2-5 with a 3.54 ERA (35 ER/89.0 IP) with 70 hits (6 HR), 38 total runs allowed, 38 walks, six hit batters, and 115 strikeouts in 19 games, all starts, between Double-A New Hampshire and High-A Vancouver this season. His 115 punchouts rank fifth among minor league pitchers, while his 30.5 percent strikeout rate is seventh in the minors (min. 80.0 IP) in 2025. In two professional seasons, he is 6-16 with a 4.17 ERA (89 ER/192.0 IP) and 246 strikeouts in 40 appearances, all starts. Watts-Brown is currently ranked Toronto’s No. 10 prospect by MLB Pipeline and No. 14 by Baseball America. The Visalia, Calif. native was originally selected by the Blue Jays in the third round of the 2024 First-Year Player Draft out of Oklahoma State University.

Domínguez, 30, made 68 relief appearances in parts of two seasons with the Orioles, going 2-5 with 12 saves and a 3.50 ERA (25 ER/64.1 IP). In 43 appearances this year, he went 2-3 with two saves and a 3.24 ERA (15 ER/41.2 IP). He was acquired by Baltimore from the Philadelphia Phillies on July 26, 2024, along with outfielder Cristian Pache, in exchange for outfielder Austin Hays. The seven-year veteran is 21-22 with 40 saves and a 3.54 ERA (112 ER/285.0 IP) in 298 career appearances.

The Orioles won the first game of today’s doubleheader and traded another high-leverage reliever. And he can make a short walk down the hallway at Camden Yards to join his new team.

Right-hander Seranthony Domínguez was dealt to the Blue Jays for pitching prospect Juaron Watts-Brown, according to an industry source. Toronto is in Baltimore for a four-game series.

Domínguez is the third reliever traded by the Orioles this month after Bryan Baker (Rays) and Gregory Soto (Mets).

MLB Pipeline ranked Watts-Brown, 23, as the Jays’ No. 10 prospect. They drafted him in the third round in 2023 out of Oklahoma State and he’s registered a 4.17 ERA and 1.328 WHIP in 40 starts. He’s struck out 246 batters and walked 98 over 192 innings.

Watts-Brown was in the Eastern League with Double-A New Hampshire, where he made 11 starts and posted a 3.48 ERA and 1.239 WHIP in 11 outings with 26 walks, 53 strikeouts and only four home runs surrendered over 51 2/3 innings. He also started eight games with High-A Vancouver and posted a 3.62 ERA and 1.179 WHIP with 12 walks, 62 strikeouts and two homers in 37 1/3 innings.

HOUSTON – The Nationals (gulp) are currently on a winning streak. Three in a row. The first time they’ve done that since that trip to Seattle and Arizona two months ago. (Or maybe it was a lifetime ago.) And tonight they’ll look to make it four in a row against an Astros club that’s hanging onto first place in the American League West but is currently teetering, having lost five games in a row (the first four to the Athletics).

This very well may be Michael Soroka’s final start for the Nats. The 27-year-old right-hander has proven to be a solid addition to the team, his 4.85 ERA not really in concert with how well he’s pitched (1.128 WHIP, 9.6 strikeouts per nine innings). The right-hander has been good of late, with only four runs allowed over his last 14 2/3 innings. You have to think some team out there is willing to make Mike DeBartolo a reasonable offer for him before Thursday’s trade deadline, but it would help if he pitches well again tonight.

A Nationals lineup that scored two runs and won Monday night despite striking out 19 times faces a bit less imposing opposing starter than Framber Valdez in Jason Alexander. The 32-year-old right-hander (who is NOT the actor who played George Costanza on "Seinfeld") makes only his third big league start of the season, only his 14th career start, having been roughed up by the A’s last time out to the tune of five runs and 11 hits in six innings. Maybe he’d be better off pursuing his other dream of pretending to be an architect …

WASHINGTON NATIONALS at HOUSTON ASTROS
Where: Daikin Park
Gametime: 8:10 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN2, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, 87.7 FM (Spanish), MLB.com
Weather: Indoors

NATIONALS
SS CJ Abrams
LF James Wood
2B Luis García Jr.
DH Josh Bell
1B Nathaniel Lowe
3B Brady House
RF Daylen Lile
C Riley Adams
CF Jacob Young

The Orioles experienced a typical morning before Game 1 of their doubleheader. They used the injured list again. They waited for the Blue Jays to announce their starting pitcher after the usual delay. Interim manager Tony Mansolino provided injury and rehab updates and was asked again about the trade deadline, saying that family and friends won’t let players ignore it. Coby Mayo did some early work on the field. The heat was borderline unbearable.

The run-scoring fly balls that came later were a unique touch.

Winning games hasn’t been the norm during a last-place season that’s got the front office in sell mode, but the Orioles picked an interesting time to get hot.

Charlie Morton registered a quality start in perhaps his last appearance with the Orioles, and their first four runs and five overall scored on sacrifice flies in a 16-4 victory over the Blue Jays before an announced crowd of 16,194 at Camden Yards.

Ramón Urías had his second career multi-homer game, and the Orioles (49-58) are nine below .500 for the first time since July 13. They’ll try for their second doubleheader sweep this month.

Kade Strowd was hesitant to talk about it. The 96 mph sinker last night that crashed into the side of George Springer’s batting helmet in the ninth inning. The collective gasp from fans and the silence as Springer stayed face-down in the dirt.

Strowd eventually told the media this morning that he would speak about the incident, but it still shook him.

Springer is OK. Strowd has to move on but remains impacted by it.

“The one pitch, lost control,” he said. “It was my first sinker of the day. Just lost that one up and in. Part of the game but you hate to see somebody, especially like George, go down like that, so hope he’s all right.”

Strowd walked toward Springer and later crouched at the mound.

Colin Selby became the 27^th different Orioles player to go on the injured list, tossing a scoreless inning last night and being sidelined today with a left hamstring strain. Selby will undergo an MRI this morning.

Yaramil Hiraldo was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk after the Orioles optioned him yesterday.

The Orioles are playing a day-night doubleheader as a makeup for an April 11 postponement. Charlie Morton is starting Game 1 this afternoon, and Brandon Young will start or work in bulk relief in Game 2 after being summoned as the 27^th man.

Former Orioles minor league left-hander Easton Lucas is starting Game 1 for Toronto, and left-hander Eric Lauer is starting Game 2.

Morton could be making his last start with the Orioles, with the trade deadline 6 p.m. Thursday. He allowed three runs in 6 2/3 innings in Cleveland after surrendering seven over 5 1/3 in Tampa.

The Orioles have made the following roster moves:

• Recalled RHP Yaramil Hiraldo from Triple-A Norfolk.
• Placed RHP Colin Selby (left hamstring strain) on the 15-day Injured List.

The Orioles have made the following roster move:

• Appointed RHP Brandon Young from High-A Aberdeen as the 27^th man for today’s doubleheader.

HOUSTON – One of the most significant months in recent Nationals history already included the firing of their longtime general manager and manager. Then it featured a rare opportunity to select the No. 1 overall player in the MLB Draft. On Monday, we got news the organization's top pitching prospect needs Tommy John surgery. And now the month is about to conclude with a potentially active trade deadline that will probably include several veterans dealt before 6 p.m. Thursday, with perhaps a chance of someone younger and more prominent also departing.

Given all that, it's understandable if you haven't been paying close attention to what's actually happening on the field. Here's an update for you: The Nats have won five of their last seven games, including a taut 2-1 nailbiter over the Astros on Monday night during which they became only the fifth team in MLB history to win a nine-inning game despite striking out 19 times.

So there should be no shortage of topics to discuss today in our latest Q&A entry. As always, submit your questions in the comments section below, then check back throughout the morning for my replies ...

The Orioles used their 95th lineup last night in their 106^th game. Catcher Adley Rutschman was reinstated from the injured list and batted cleanup for the fifth time, and the first since May 18.

There seems to be some interest from interim manager Tony Mansolino in going with a top four of Jackson Holliday, Jordan Westburg, Gunnar Henderson and Rutschman You can read between the lines or just focus on the actual lines.

“I’m fascinated by sticking (Rutschman) in that four hole, kind of sitting behind Gunnar, having a switch-hitter sitting right there, and the effect of that on Gunnar and just trying to navigate our lineup if all four of those guys at the top are cooking and fulfilling and reaching their potential,” Mansolino said during his afternoon media session.

“It's an absolute dynamic four hitters. And the guys behind them are pretty good, too.”

Ryan O’Hearn has batted cleanup 48 times, easily the most on the team. Ryan Mountcastle is next at 17. O’Hearn was slotted fifth last night and Laureano sixth.

HOUSTON – To beat the Astros on a night in which Framber Valdez’s curveball was untouchable, the Nationals were going to need an equally effective outing from starter-turned-reliever-turned-starter Brad Lord, just enough offense from a lineup missing James Wood to give themselves a lead and then zeros from their bullpen to close things out.

When they found a way to get all of that and walk out of Daikin Park with a 2-1 victory, it might well have represented the most impressive victory of the still-nascent Miguel Cairo Era.

Behind 5 1/3 standout innings from Lord, clutch hits from Nathaniel Lowe and Riley Adams and 3 2/3 scoreless innings from the bullpen, the Nationals emerged on top in a pitchers’ duel and won for the fifth time in their last seven games. To have done that against one of the toughest opponents on their recent schedule, against their ace nonetheless, made it particularly notable.

"It's exciting, because you have to play a clean game," Lowe said. "And especially against a first-place team, you have to play a clean game anyway. We did that today."

Adams’ solo homer in the seventh off reliever Bryan King proved the difference, an opposite-field blast for his third homer in his last 11 games, equaling the total from his first 31 games.