The next home series begins tonight with the Mariners coming to town. The team that’s won seven games in a row and nine of 10. The team that holds the first Wild Card spot.

Get used to it.

The schedule isn’t doing the Orioles any favors. They go to Houston and Boston after the homestand, come back to Camden Yards and host the Astros for four games and the Red Sox for four. Who came up with this setup?

The next road trip is a West Coast swing through San Francisco and San Diego, sans any hopes of making the playoffs.

Oh, and there’s the home series against the Dodgers in the first weekend of September.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The emotions of his long-awaited return to the majors behind him at last, Cade Cavalli settled into life as a true big league pitcher tonight, taking the mound for his second start, confident he will be back out there for his third and plenty more before season’s end.

This one didn’t have the fairy tale ending last week’s return did.

Missing the precise command of his eye-popping arsenal he displayed against the Athletics, Cavalli was charged with four runs in five-plus innings tonight against the Royals, giving up a killer, game-tying homer to Salvador Perez before departing in the sixth.

Jackson Rutledge then gave up the game-winning homer, a two-run blast by No. 9 hitter Kyle Isbel that propelled Kansas City to an eventual 7-4 victory over the Nationals.

Given an opportunity to appear in a high-leverage spot in a tie game, Rutledge got a key double-play grounder but then allowed a two-out single to Nick Loftin before leaving a 2-1 sinker over the plate to Isbel, who launched it deep to right for the decisive moment of the game. (The Royals added an insurance run in the eighth off Orlando Ribalta.)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Though he has played the full nine innings on back-to-back days for Triple-A Rochester, Dylan Crews will remain on his minor league rehab assignment for now.

Crews is staying with the Red Wings, who are off today, the Nationals announced. He’s then scheduled to play the outfield again Tuesday and Wednesday in Rochester against Syracuse.

Those will be Crews’ 12th and 13th games played on this rehab assignment, a longer stint than most injured major league position players typically serve. The Nats, though, want to see the 23-year-old not only prove he’s healthy but that he’s consistently productive at the plate again before they intend to activate him off the 60-day injured list.

Out since he strained his left oblique muscle on a May 20 check-swing, Crews began his rehab assignment with Rochester on July 29. The plan was to slowly build up his workload until he was able to play nine innings in the field on back-to-back days. He did that for the first time this weekend, playing all nine innings in right field both Saturday and Sunday at Norfolk.

Crews’ offensive production has been decent – he’s 10-for-36 with a double, two homers, seven RBIs, one walk and six strikeouts in 11 games – but the Nats appear to want to see more still before they deem him big league-ready again.

Grayson Rodriguez underwent a procedure earlier today to remove a bone spur in his right elbow. Dr. Keith Meister performed the surgery in Dallas, and the Orioles said it was “successful.”

The club indicated last week that Rodriguez probably would have the surgery today, putting an official end to any hopes that he would pitch this season.

Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias stated in in a video call after the trade deadline that surgery was “back on the table,” and the timing should make Rodriguez available for spring training.

Rodriguez hasn’t appeared in a regular season game since July 31, 2024 against the Blue Jays. He went on the injured list with another lat strain that kept him off the Wild Card roster, and he didn’t pitch after a March 5 exhibition outing against the Twins in Fort Myers.

The initial complaint from Rodriguez was a feeling of sluggishness that robbed him of the usual velocity. The Orioles put him on the injured list before breaking camp with elbow inflammation.

The Orioles will continue to tweak their outfield as they play out the remainder of the 2025 season.

The latest move came today, with the Orioles claiming Daniel Johnson on waivers from the Giants. He hasn’t reported to the club but could be on the roster for Tuesday night’s series opener against the Mariners at Camden Yards.

Johnson, 30, comes back to the organization. He had one at-bat with the Orioles last summer and appeared in 118 games with Triple-A Norfolk, slashing .259/.320/.448 with 20 doubles, a triple, 21 home runs and 76 RBIs. He can play all three spots in the outfield.

Johnson was 5-for-29 (.172) with two doubles and a home run in 14 games with the Giants this season after signing on May 2.

A corresponding move is needed to make room for Johnson.

The Orioles have made the following roster moves:

• Claimed OF Daniel Johnson off waivers from the San Francisco Giants. He has not yet reported.
• Selected the contract of RHP Jose Espada from Triple-A Norfolk and optioned him to Triple-A Norfolk.
• Designated RHP Houston Roth for assignment.

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

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Hello from Kauffman Stadium, which still looks great 52 years after it first opened. The Nationals are here for the first time since 2023, looking to pick up where they left off Sunday in San Francisco, having won two in a row from the Giants.

First things first: Dylan Crews is not here. He has not been activated off the 60-day injured list yet, even though he played nine innings each of the last two days with Triple-A Rochester. It sure seems like the Nats will wait until they return home Thursday to bring him back, but hopefully we’ll get more information here shortly.

As for who is here tonight, Cade Cavalli is on the mound, making his second big league start of the season, the third of his career. Cavalli’s return last week could not have gone much better: 4 1/3 scoreless innings on 88 pitches. He’ll try to be a little more efficient tonight, but more important is the quality of his stuff and the health of his arm.

Luis García Jr. returns to the Nats lineup after missing the entire weekend series with tightness in his back. He’s batting all the way down in the No. 8 spot against Royals left-hander Bailey Falter, which means Paul DeJong is again batting third, this time playing third base in place of Brady House. DeJong has been hot. Miguel Cairo will try to keep getting him at-bats.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS at KANSAS CITY ROYALS
Where: Kauffman Stadium
Gametime: 7:40 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, 87.7 FM (Spanish), MLB.com
Weather: Thunderstorms, 77 degrees, wind 6 mph out to left field

Entering the 2023 season, the Orioles’ farm system was at the peak of its powers. 

Baltimore had eight top-100 prospects, according to Baseball America. That included the No. 1 overall prospect, Gunnar Henderson, another top-10 prospect, Grayson Rodriguez, a rising star in Jackson Holliday, a soon-to-be Rookie of the Year candidate in Colton Cowser, and the underrated Jordan Westburg, checking in at No. 76. 

By the time 2024 rolled around, however, that list had taken quite a hit due to graduations. Then it included just three players, with Coby Mayo and Samuel Basallo joining Heston Kjerstad. 

With Mayo’s graduation this season, there was some question as to who, if anyone, would join Basallo in the top 100. Baseball America’s most recent rankings gave us an answer, highlighting three Orioles prospects on the rise. 

Nate George 

SAN FRANCISCO – There was, understandably, some level of disappointment when the Nationals did not find any suitors for Josh Bell and Paul DeJong at the trade deadline.

The two veterans were signed to one-year deals prior to the season with the hopes they would help complement a roster full of young players and lead them to a surprising run at contention. And if the team didn’t win, at least they’d both be attractive options for actual contenders come July 31.

That, of course, didn’t happen. Bell got off to a terrible start to his season before slowly climbing his way back in recent months. DeJong suffered a terrifying injury in April when he was struck on the face by a fastball and only recently returned to the active roster. Teams seeking help for the stretch run didn’t view either of them as worthy acquisitions, so it’s entirely reasonable to view that conclusion as a failure on the Nationals’ part.

Not that everyone with the organization was disappointed by the lack of trades.

“I’m kind of selfish about that, because you want to have some veterans on the team like that who can guide and lead the young talent that we have,” interim manager Miguel Cairo said. “I was kind of hoping that they didn’t go anywhere, because the way they go about their business is amazing. They’re like true leaders, the way they work, how they engage the young players to do their work and their job. I’m glad they’re here, and you can see what they can do.”

Coby Mayo walked into the clubhouse yesterday morning with a first baseman’s mitt in his hand and beads of sweat on his forehead.

He wasn’t in the lineup, but there’s always work to be done. 

Mayo got in more reps at his new position, with senior advisor John Mabry handling a bulk load of the tutelage.

“He’s been with me like side-by-side during the ground balls, talking to me, going through just different kind of plays that could pile up during a game,” Mayo said. “He’s been super good even in-game going over plays with me. Maybe somewhere where I could have done something a little better, encouraging me that, ‘That was a good play.’ Just kind of talking me through some of those in-game weird situations.”

Mayo is a third baseman who’s learning to play first, with the switch beginning in the minors. And it’s much more complicated than just moving across the diamond, away from a spot that he hadn’t mastered.

SAN FRANCISCO – Maybe it was the cool air blowing out towards the bay, the clear blue sky welcoming everyone to summer in San Francisco. Maybe it was just time for things to stabilize again for a Nationals team that looked lost, defeated and deflated in its first week following a tumultuous trade deadline.

Whatever the case, back-to-back day games at Oracle Park provided the recipe for a much-needed, get-right weekend for the Nats, especially their biggest stars.

Today’s 8-0 thumping of the Giants saw MacKenzie Gore look like MacKenzie Gore again, the left-hander striking out 10 over six scoreless innings to bounce back from a wretched stretch of four substandard starts.

It saw CJ Abrams look like CJ Abrams again, the shortstop launching a two-run homer off the right field foul pole, then singling and scoring again later.

And along with Saturday’s 4-2 win, James Wood looked like James Wood again, the slumping slugger recording a homer and three doubles to drive in six runs (four of them coming during today’s game).

Because the Orioles’ roster can’t sit still, much like a fussy toddler except with grown men, changes are coming again to a rotation that posted the second-highest ERA in the American League before today.

Cade Povich is trying to stay in it. He’s pitching to win and also keep his job, and he isn’t alone. The club is allowing for a developmental period after falling out of the playoff race, but there’s a limit to the number of starters and length of the patience displayed.

Povich registered his first quality start since April 24, holding the Athletics to one run over six innings, but Willie MacIver's two-run double off Keegan Akin in the ninth gave them a 3-2 win over the Orioles before an announced crowd of 23,183 at Camden Yards.

Akin was trying for his third save in his new role, but a leadoff walk to Darell Hernaiz and one-out single by Gio Urshela preceded MacIver's double. Pinch-runner Lawrence Butler ran through the stop sign and would have been an easy out if catcher Alex Jackson had held onto the ball. Or maybe if Gunnar Henderson's relay wasn't so far up the line.

"He didn’t mean to throw it there," said interim manager Tony Mansolino. "Things are speeding up right there. He’s got his back to the play. He’s catching the ball and he just kind of threw a sinker to the plate, just kind of getting on top of it, straighten the thing out, making a better throw.”

SAN FRANCISCO – When Cole Henry loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the eighth Saturday afternoon, Miguel Cairo could have stuck with his rookie setup man and given him a chance to pitch his way out of the jam. The Nationals led by three runs. There was at least some margin for error.

Cairo, though, didn’t hesitate to walk straight to the mound and hold his left arm out, signaling toward the bullpen in right-center. He wanted the lefty. He wanted Jose A. Ferrer, even if he was now asking his newly anointed closer to produce a five-out save before ever recording a simple three-out one.

“I was just like: I’ve got to worry about today. I cannot worry about tomorrow,” the interim manager said. “That was the best matchup. Their good hitters were coming up. I’ll just take my chances with him.”

Ferrer proceeded to reward his manager’s faith in him and make his first save since replacing Kyle Finnegan a memorable one. He allowed one of the three inherited runners to score via Wilmer Flores’ sacrifice fly. But he struck out Matt Chapman with a 99 mph fastball to end the eighth. Then he pitched out of another jam in the ninth, inducing a game-ending double play out of Patrick Bailey to lock up the Nats’ 4-2 win.

It had been nine days since the Nationals dealt Finnegan to the Tigers at the trade deadline, eight days since Cairo coyly refused to name his new closer, noting the world would find out once he was in a situation to use him.

SAN FRANCISCO – Amazing what a difference a day makes. The Nationals showed up at Oracle Park on Saturday morning reeling from back-to-back shutout losses. Then James Wood led off the game with his first homer in a month, and they were on their way to a 4-2 victory over the Giants that featured power (three solo homers), a quality start by Brad Lord and solid bullpen work. And just like that, they now have a chance to win the weekend series this afternoon.

It will require a major bounceback performance from MacKenzie Gore, though. The left-hander is in a bad place right now, having allowed six or more runs in three of his last four starts, including eight runs on 12 hits last time out against the Athletics. During that stretch, Gore has seen his ERA skyrocket from 3.02 to 4.29.

Would you believe that’s actually identical to Justin Verlander’s ERA? The veteran right-hander has not enjoyed a good season here in San Francisco, and there’s pressure on him to get himself back on track before it’s too late. The Nationals will try to jump on him today and give their ace an early lead. Miguel Cairo’s lineup once again features Wood in the leadoff spot, but it also once again is missing Luis García Jr. (still dealing with back tightness).

WASHINGTON NATIONALS at SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
Where: Oracle Park
Gametime: 4:05 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN2, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, 87.7 FM (Spanish), MLB.com
Weather: Mostly sunny, 67 degrees, wind 13 mph out to center field

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

The Orioles are shuffling their outfield again today for the series finale against the Athletics.

Jordyn Adams gets his first start, playing center field and batting ninth. He’s made six appearances in center and two in right.

Greg Allen is playing left field and Jeremiah Jackson is in right. Dylan Carlson, who's in an 0-for-34 slump, goes to the bench.

Adley Rutschman is the designated hitter. Ryan Mountcastle is the first baseman, with Coby Mayo on the bench.

Alex Jackson is batting seventh and catching.

The Orioles have a group of relievers on the roster who will be tasked with protecting slim leads in the ninth inning. They do not have a closer.

There’s a difference.

Félix Bautista is on the injured list with shoulder inflammation, and the Orioles drained the pool of veteran replacements by trading Bryan Baker, Seranthony Domínguez, Gregory Soto and Andrew Kittredge.

Keegan Akin recorded the save Friday night, but Rico Garcia warmed in case right-handed hitting Brent Rooker stepped to the plate.

Interim manager Tony Mansolino was asked yesterday whether Garcia will get chances in high-leverage situations. That’s clearly the case. He was on the verge of a save opportunity.

Before the Orioles played their 117^th game of the season tonight, they switched up the usual routine at home by gathering in the dugout to watch the latest Hall of Fame inductions. They stood at the railing, eyes locked on former center fielder Adam Jones as he addressed the crowd and tried to control his emotions.

"I took tremendous pride playing for you guys,” he said. “I took tremendous pride playing more for the name on the front of the chest than the name on the back."

Jones turned to the bench and reminded a team going through hard times that he was there, too, early in his career and to keep grinding.

“Trust me,” he said, “you do it long enough, you’ll be where I’m at.”

Rookie Brandon Young went to the mound and began warming for his 10^th major league start, walked the first batter he faced and surrendered a long home run to Shea Langeliers.

SAN FRANCISCO – James Wood set the tone with a desperately needed leadoff homer. Paul DeJong and Josh Bell added on with a pair of homers themselves to extend the lead. Brad Lord and the new-look back end of the bullpen then took care of the rest, pitching the Nationals to their first truly conventional win since the trade deadline.

Behind three early solo homers, headlined by Wood’s first blast in a month, the Nats toppled the Giants 4-2 this afternoon, getting another strong start by Lord and a gutsy, five-out save from new closer Jose A. Ferrer.

The Nationals’ only other win since the July 31 deadline was a 2-1 walk-off victory over the Athletics. This one came via a more normal path, with early offense and a quality start putting them in position entering the late innings. But it still required nine outs from a completely remade bullpen, and we finally saw today what exactly that now looks like.

It included left-hander Konnor Pilkington retiring the side in the bottom of the seventh. It included Cole Henry getting the bottom of the eighth but getting pulled after loading the bases with one out. And so it concluded with Jose A. Ferrer recording a five-out save, escaping the eighth-inning jam with only one inherited runner crossing the plate before escaping a two-on jam in the ninth thanks to a game-ending double play off the bat of Patrick Bailey.

"I'm really excited about this opportunity," Ferrer, who earned his first save since assuming the closer's job following Kyle Finnegan's trade to Detroit, said via interpreter Mauricio Ortiz. "I just want to thank them for putting me in this position, to be closer of the team. It's a huge responsibility, because you come in to close the game. Your teammates played really hard the whole game. You just want to come out, get those three outs and take the win."

Six players from the Orioles’ 2025 draft class are reporting next week to Class A Delmarva for their professional debuts, including the first two selections, according to a source.

Catcher/outfielder Ike Irish and catcher Caden Bodine, the 19^th and 30^th overall picks, respectively, are joined by shortstop Wehiwa Aloy (31^st), center fielder RJ Austin (93^rd), shortstop Colin Yeaman (124^th) and second baseman Brayden Smith (394^th).

Irish was chosen out of Auburn, Bodine out of Coastal Carolina, Aloy out of Arkansas, Austin from Vanderbilt, Yeaman from UC Irvine and Smith from Oklahoma State.

The drafted players who signed have been working out in Sarasota.

On the major league side, the Orioles didn’t make any roster moves today and didn’t have any updates on injured players.

SAN FRANCISCO – Luis García Jr. is out of the Nationals’ lineup for the second straight day, but the team appears to be confident his back injury won’t linger for long.

García was scratched from the lineup for Friday night’s series opener against the Giants when he experienced back tightness during batting practice. Interim manager Miguel Cairo said at the time he would also sit his starting second baseman for this afternoon’s game, given the quick turnaround to a 1:05 p.m. first pitch.

García has since undergone an MRI on his back, the results of which were encouraging.

“He went and did an MRI this morning, and everything is negative, so he’s fine,” Cairo said. “Maybe it just tightened up. We did the MRI just to make sure everything was fine, so that’s good news.”

Cairo had José Tena start in García’s place Friday night; the 24-year-old went 0-for-3 with a strikeout and grounded into a force out at the plate with the bases loaded. Veteran Paul DeJong gets the nod today and will bat third against San Francisco left-hander Carson Whisenhunt.