Exhibition game today between the Washington Nationals and the Baltimore Orioles with first pitch at 1:05 pm ET
When news broke directly from Major League Baseball that the Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles were ending their MASN agreement after this season, the long and deep fractures between the two teams could become more of a unified front. So much so that beginning with today’s exhibition game, the two teams agreed to move forward starting next year with home/away exhibition games to run through at least 2029.
Everything isn’t perfect in the business of Regional Sports Networks. The Nationals had to take a 20 percent cut in their TV rights going into this year and retroactive to last year resulting in a $14 million hit to each year from what they were paid in 2023. After this year, the Nationals can choose to air their games with any network they desire. In the meantime, maybe the Nationals and Orioles can create a culture with baseball fans in the B-W corridor to attract fans of both teams to enjoy games at either stadium since they are in different leagues.
Today, the Nationals will host the Orioles at 1:05 p.m. for a single exhibition game to be televised on MASN with radio on 106.7 The Fan. Next year, who knows where Nationals games will be broadcast. In addition, current and former employees of the federal government are eligible to receive two free tickets to today’s exhibition game as a special expression of gratitude for their services. Federal workers can claim their free tickets at the First Base Box Office beginning at 11:45 a.m. on Monday, March 24. Additional details can be found at nats.com/Federal.
The starting pitchers for today are LHP Cade Povich for the Orioles, and Jake Irvin for the Nationals. That might further suggest that Irvin will pitch on Saturday in the scheduled second game of the Nats’ regular season. But has of now, no ordering of the rotation has been announced beyond MacKenzie Gore for Opening Day. There continues to be some mystery on the final 26-man roster for Opening Day.
We still don’t know the final bullpen or the final bench. Three days ago, Drew Millas was optioned to Triple-A leaving Riley Adams and Andrew Knizner for the bench catcher’s spot with Keibert Ruiz presumed as the starter. It looks like Juan Yepez or Jose Tena should get the final bench spot because Nasim Nunez was optioned to Triple-A on Friday. Rumors are still circulating on the health of players like Amed Rosario who was nursing a knee injury. Some might say that Alex Call is the only lock for the bench — but then again, The Nats Report doesn’t have Call listed in their rumored final bench.
Here is a look at the bullpen locks that we have:
1. Kyle Finnegan
2. Lucas Sims
3. Colin Poche
4. Jose A. Ferrer
5. Jorge López
With the rumors that Derek Law would begin the season on the 15-day IL, manager Dave Martinez was not ready to declare that as fact. If Law does go on the IL, there would be three open spots for the bullpen. Also, the Nats made it official this morning and put Colin Poche on the MLB roster which filled the 40-man roster back to capacity. The remaining names for the final two bullpen spots are (A-Z): Brad Lord (NRI), Orlando Ribalta, Jackson Rutledge, and Eduardo Salazar. If Lord makes the team, he would need to be added to the 40-man roster and general manager Mike Rizzo would need to open up a spot.
“It’s still early. We don’t have to make those kind of roster decisions yet on [Derek Law]. Him telling you [his status] that indicates that he doesn’t feel like he’s ready. We’ll go back tomorrow and the next day, talk to the medical staff and just see where he really is. He thinks he’s going to be fine. He just can’t bounce back right now.”
— Martinez said over the weekend
As soon as the players shower up, they will head over to The Wharf for the annual charity Nationals Homecoming Gala with a red carpet at 5:30 pm. Before that will be a FanFest event that fans can attend for free in front of The Anthem and stay for the red carpet event. This year, former All-Star shortstop Ian Desmond, the first ever Player Ambassador to the Youth Baseball Academy, will be honored with the Power of Baseball Award. Most players, coaches, and front office staff are expected to be in attendance.
Of course Thursday is set for Opening Day, and there is still a competition for the final roster spots. The new marketing promoted a new City Connect jersey nicknamed “The Blueprint” and they have been promoting the team’s new hashtag: #NextGenNatitude
Starting lineups should be posted soon.
