Just 15 games into the season and the Orioles are setting a blistering pace for slugging and home runs. The Orioles 2023 HR total is in the top 5 of the American League. Led by Ryan Mountcastle and Adley Rutschman, the birds have been belting it out of the park regularly. And that pace could continue. The Birds will soon be facing several teams that lead the majors in home runs allowed.

While the Orioles have been making news for their home run celebrations, some of the fans have had hundreds and thousands of reasons to express their own excitement. Those excited fans are the Maryland Lottery’s Home Run Riches Contestants of the Game. In their first 15 games the Orioles have hit 22 HRs, winning $19,000 for the Lottery’s Home Run Riches Contestants of the Game. 

And as the home run tally climbs, excitement is building for what will be the Orioles’ 50th home run and a $50,000 payout for one of the lucky fans picked in the Maryland Lottery’s Home Run Riches Contestant of the Game promotion. They could get to 50 before the end of May — so now’s the time to enter! Contestants of the Game are drawn monthly, and the winners for the 28 games in May will be selected on April 25. The deadline to be part of that drawing is 11:59 p.m. on April 24. 

The Maryland Lottery is holding monthly drawings to select Contestants of the Game for each of the Orioles’ 162 regular season games. Each winner receives $500 for being picked, and will be designated as the Contestant of the Game for an upcoming Orioles matchup. They’ll also win an additional $500 for each home run the Orioles hit during their designated game. 

In celebration of the Maryland Lottery’s 50th anniversary, the Lottery will also be giving away a second $50,000 prize in the promotion’s final drawing on Aug. 29. 

The Orioles have made the following roster moves:

• Recalled RHP Yennier Cano from Triple-A Norfolk.
• Recalled RHP Spenser Watkins from Triple-A Norfolk.
• Placed LHP Keegan Akin on the Paternity List.
• Optioned LHP Cole Irvin to Triple-A Norfolk after yesterday’s game.

The Orioles have made the following roster move:

• C Anthony Bemboom has cleared outright waivers and accepted an assignment to Triple-A Norfolk.

After a seven-game road trip, the Washington Nationals return home with a three-game set against the Cleveland Guardians, followed by two games against the Baltimore Orioles in the Beltway Series presented by Inova. Single-game tickets for all Nationals home games are on sale now at nats.com/Tickets. 

This second homestand of the season features several fun promotions and events for fans of all ages, including a Josiah Gray bobblehead presented by Coca-Cola, two Nationals College Day Series games and the first of six Pups in the Park events.

As a reminder, if you would like to cover any events at Nationals Park, please contact Valerie Todryk Krebs at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Gabrielle Scheder-Bieschin at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Devon Bridges at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for credentialing information in advance of the event.

The Orioles have made the following roster moves:

• Selected the contract of INF/OF Ryan O’Hearn from Triple-A Norfolk. He will wear No. 32.
• Designated C Anthony Bemboom for assignment.

The Washington Nationals recalled infielder Jeter Downs from Triple-A Rochester and placed infielder/outfielder Ildemaro Vargas on the 10-day Injured List (retroactive to April 10) with a left shoulder strain on Tuesday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.

Downs, 24, joins the Nationals for the first time this season after being claimed off waivers from the Boston Red Sox on Dec. 22, 2022. He entered the 2023 season as one of only three Minor Leaguers with at least 80 doubles, 70 home runs and 100 stolen bases since the start of 2017. Downs was rated as high as the No. 2 prospect in Boston’s Minor League system, according to Baseball America, in 2020 before coming in at No. 3 in 2021 and No. 6 in 2022.

Downs appeared in six games for Triple-A Rochester this season, going 2-for-19 (.105) with two doubles, two walks, one stolen base and one run scored. He played five games at shortstop and one in center field.

The right-handed hitting Downs made his Major League debut on June 22, 2022 vs. Detroit and went on to enjoy two stints with Boston last season. He hit .154 (6-for-39) with one double, one homer, four RBI, one walk and four runs scored in 14 Major League games.

A native of San Andrés, Colombia, Downs was selected in the first round (No. 32 overall) of the 2017 First-Year Player Draft. He graduated from Monsignor Edward Pace (FL) High School in Miami.

APRIL 8 vs. NYY

PREGAME CEREMONY: Ramón Urías 2022 Gold Glove Award 

URÍAS will be presented with his Gold Glove Award by Manger Brandon Hyde and a Rawlings Representative prior to the game. Urías was named the recipient of the 2022 Gold Glove Award at third base, the first of his career. He became the first Oriole to win a Gold Glove since Manny Machado in 2015. He is just the third Orioles third baseman to ever win the award, joining Machado and Orioles Legend and National Baseball Hall of Famer, Brooks Robinson. 

PREGAME CEREMONY: Brandon Hyde Baseball America and Sporting News Manager of the Year 

HYDE was voted 2022 Baseball America Manager of the Year, Sporting News AL Manager of the Year and 2022 Baseball Writers' Association of America Manager of the Year Runner Up. Hyde led the O’s to an 83-79 record, his first winning season as manager and the club’s first winning campaign since 2016. He collected his 200^th career managerial win on September 1, 2022, in the O's 3-0 win at Cleveland.

Annual promotion will deliver two $50,000 prizes, including one for the O’s 50th home run of 2023

With the 2023 season underway, Orioles fans are enjoying a new level of excitement. Last season brought the first fruits of a years-long rebuild, as the O’s registered a winning record for the first time since 2016 and stayed in the hunt for a playoff berth all the way through September. Throughout last season, there was a sense that something special was going to happen each game and that there are even bigger moments ahead.

Some of the fans hoping for big moments from the Orioles in 2023 are also participating in this year’s Home Run Riches Contestant of the Game promotion from the Maryland Lottery. The fan-favorite Home Run Riches FAST PLAY game and second-chance promotion are back this year and even bigger than before. 

The Maryland Lottery will again hold monthly drawings to select Contestants of the Game for each of the Orioles’ 162 regular season games. Each winner receives $500 for being picked, and will be designated as the Contestant of the Game for an upcoming Orioles matchup. They’ll also win an additional $500 for each home run the Orioles hit during their designated game.

Last year, the Orioles slugged 171 home runs, led by 33 from outfielder Anthony Santander. The $500 for each of those homers, combined with the $500 each Contestant of the Game won for being drawn, delivered a total of $166,500 prizes. 

The Orioles today have announced plans to welcome fans back to Oriole Park for the 2023 season during the club’s Home Opener on Friday, April 7, at 3:05 p.m. ET against the New York Yankees. The originally scheduled Home Opener was slated for today, Thursday, April 6, but was postponed due to the forecast of severe inclement weather.

Home Opener Celebrations

Festivities will begin at 2:30 p.m. with a special pre-game ceremony emceed by Orioles broadcaster KEVIN BROWN. The Home Opener will feature:

• National Anthem: PARIJITA BASTOLA will perform her rendition of the national anthem prior to the game. A Severna Park, Md. native and team John Legend contestant on season 22 of NBC’s “The Voice,” Bastola also performed at Maryland Governor Wes Moore’s inauguration earlier this year. A 30’ x 42’ flag from Fort McHenry will be lowered from the batter’s eye during the performance. The flag is a replica of the one that flew over Fort McHenry when Francis Scott Key wrote the national anthem.
• Honor Guard: Colors will be presented by members of THE BALTIMORE CITY POLICE HONOR GUARD and BALTIMORE CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT HONOR GUARD.
• Flag Kids: Children from the YMCA of Central Maryland will line the orange carpet, holding Orioles flags during the pregame ceremony.
• Ceremonial First Pitch: Maryland’s 63^rd Governor, WES MOORE, and his children, MIA and JAMES, will throw out ceremonial first pitches prior to the game. Moore was sworn in as Maryland’s Governor on January 18, 2023. The historic event made Moore Maryland’s first Black governor, and the third African American elected Governor in the history of the United States. 
• Mo Gaba’s Fan of the Year: The Orioles will recognize MERRILL HEIM, also known as “Fired Up Guy,” as Mo Gaba’s Fan of the Year, representing all O’s fans from the 2022 season. A Maryland native, Heim began attending Orioles games with his parents at Memorial Stadium. He, his wife, and their three daughters have since become regulars at Oriole Park. Heim can often be heard yelling “I’m Fired Up. You Fired Up?” from his seats along the first base line. Last year, Heim helped start the home run chain celebration after leaving his home run chain in the care of LOGAN SANDERS, the son of Orioles First Base Coach ANTHONY SANDERS, who shared it with the team. The home run chain celebration became one of the most well-known and popular celebrations throughout Major League Baseball during the 2022 season.
• Ceremonial “Play Ball”: MIA and JAMES MOORE, the children of Maryland Governor WES MOORE, will yell the ceremonial “Play Ball” prior to the game.
• Birdland Community Hero: Again this year, the Orioles will honor and recognize those in our community who have distinguished themselves by selflessly volunteering in fields that care for, serve, teach, protect, and improve the lives of others through the Birdland Community Heroes program. On Thursday, the Orioles will recognize GEOFF MEEHLE, a health and physical education coordinator for Baltimore City Public Schools and the volunteer President of the Society for Health and Physical Educators Maryland. SHAPE Maryland enhances and promotes the health and wellness of all Maryland citizens by providing advocacy, resources, and professional learning opportunities for current and future health and physical education educators. Meehle got involved with SHAPE Maryland to advocate for children and their needs when it comes to their health, physical education, and overall well-being. He believes in the importance of providing health and physical education teachers with resources and opportunities for professional learning and collaboration. As part of his recognition the Orioles Charitable Foundation will make a $5,000 donation to SHAPE Maryland.
• Budweiser Clydesdales: The world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales will parade from Lee Street to Eutaw Street beginning at 11:30 a.m. They will return to Lee Street at approximately 2:00 p.m.
• Giveaway: All fans in attendance will receive an Orioles 2023 schedule magnet.
• Opening Day Auction: Fans will have the opportunity to bid on game-used memorabilia from the Orioles Home Opener to benefit the Orioles Charitable Foundation and its efforts to support worthy youth and community groups throughout Birdland. The auction will run on Orioles.com/Auction from Monday, April 10, at 5:00 p.m. through Sunday, April 16, at 10:00 p.m. 

New Features at OPACY

• New Retail Experience: As part of a new long-term partnership, the Orioles and Fanatics worked this offseason to make significant investments to elevate the team’s retail footprint and enhance the fan experience, including renovating the Orioles Team Store location in the ground floor of the Warehouse on Eutaw Street. The store now features a new customer journey, including additional point-of-sales options and a Nike concept shop, the ability to customize jerseys on-site, and a Mitchell & Ness concept shop featuring authentic vintage jerseys and apparel.
• Brick & Whistle Food Co.: After announcing Levy as the official hospitality partner earlier this year, the Orioles and Levy created “Brick & Whistle Food Co.,” to provide fans with a one-of-a-kind, exclusive hospitality experience that is synonymous with the historic Baltimore Orioles brand. Brick & Whistle Food Co. B&W will provide new signature offerings highlighting the iconic tastes of Baltimore and the Chesapeake Bay, as well as upgraded technology to allow faster and frictionless check-out options.
• New food offerings include:
• The 410 Menu – available at select locations throughout the ballpark, hot dogs, popcorn, soft pretzels, cracker jacks, peanuts, and select beverages are only $4.10.
• Boog’s BBQ – the famed rolling smoke will make its return to Eutaw Street in 2023 with Boog’s BBQ house-smoked meats on game days. 
• “For The Birds” – New signature items include the Buffalo Bird Dog, B’More Chicken Box, Yard Dog, The Havana, Hot Honey Pepperoni Pizza, O’s Hand-Rolled Pretzel, and the Crab Pretzel Boule.
• Upgraded technology includes:
• A frictionless dining experience using Zippin technology at the B&O Market located along Eutaw Street, self-service kiosks by Mashgin technology at locations throughout the main concourse, powered by payment technologies using Shift4’s end-to-end commerce ecosystem.
• SuperBook Bar & Restaurant Fans will be able to experience the first-ever sports lounge at Oriole Park as part of the long-term partnership between the Orioles and SuperBook Sports. The SuperBook Bar & Restaurant will provide fans with first-rate food and beverages, as well as a state-of-the-art viewing experience featuring newly installed televisions, odds boards, and sports tickers. The restaurant will officially open its doors to fans during the Orioles Home Opener on Friday, April 7, and will continue to evolve throughout the season. SuperBook Bar & Restaurant will open to fans when gates open for each game.
• Pepsi All-Inclusive Picnic Perch: This offseason, the Orioles upgraded the Pepsi All-Inclusive Picnic Perch to give fans an even better gameday experience. Located in left field, the picnic perch now features televisions and a fresh redesign, including updated graphics and paint. Fans can experience every Orioles home game from the redesigned Pepsi All-Inclusive Picnic Perch. For tickets starting as low as $45, fans receive exclusive access to the Club Level, a Left Field Club seat in sections 282-288, and access to an unlimited food menu. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit Orioles.com/PicnicPerch.

Fan Reminders

The Washington Nationals proudly welcomed representatives from the National Cherry Blossom Festival and the Embassy of Japan for today’s annual Blossoms & Baseball game.

Prior to today’s event, the NCBF, in partnership with the Embassy, donated a National Cherry Blossom Festival giant cherry blossom sculpture to the Nationals for display at Nationals Park. The sculpture, titled Refresh, Renew, Rebloom, was designed and painted by Prism Specialties Art Restoration. It was temporarily on display in the Navy Yard neighborhood in 2022 and will now be displayed on ballpark’s main concourse near the Washington Suites.

Today’s ceremonial first pitch was thrown by Ambassador of Japan to the United States Koji Tomita.

Last month, the Embassy hosted a World Baseball Classic celebration, including strong cherry blossoms representation, welcoming representatives from the tournament’s participating teams as well as the Washington Nationals and NCBF.

After consultation with Major League Baseball, tomorrow’s Home Opener at Oriole Park at Camden Yards between the Orioles and Yankees has been postponed due to the forecast of severe inclement weather. The game will be made up on Friday, April 7 at 3:05 p.m. ET.

Tickets for tomorrow’s postponed game will be valid for the April 7 game, no exchange necessary. If you are unable to attend on April 7 and are the original ticket purchaser, you can exchange your tickets online at Orioles.com/MyAccount on a dollar-for-dollar basis. All exchanges must be completed before 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 6. Some restrictions may apply. For more information, please visit Orioles.com/Weather. 

The gates to Oriole Park at Camden Yards will open three hours before first pitch, at 12:00 p.m. Fans attending Friday’s game are encouraged to be in their seats, and fans at home are encouraged to tune to MASN, by 2:20 p.m. to enjoy the Home Opener pregame festivities. All fans in attendance will receive an Orioles 2023 schedule magnet.

Complimentary tickets are non-exchangeable and must be used for Friday’s makeup date. 

The Orioles have made the following roster moves:

• Recalled RHP Grayson Rodriguez from Triple-A Norfolk. Rodriguez will start today’s game against Texas, which will be his Major League debut. He will wear No. 30.
• Placed RHP Kyle Bradish on the 15-day Injured List with a right foot contusion, retroactive to April 4. 
  

Tomorrow night’s game (Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. vs. Tampa Bay Rays) is Military Appreciation Day presented by PenFed at Nationals Park.

To thank our service members, the Nationals are providing two free tickets to active duty, dependents, veterans, retirees, reservists, National Guard and Department of Defense civilians with military ID or proof of service. Tickets can be claimed at the Home Plate Box Office beginning when gates open at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday (two free tickets per ID, while supplies last).

Highlights of tomorrow’s pregame ceremonies include:

· Simultaneous Ceremonial First Pitches thrown by:

    Major General Joel Jackson, Commander, Air Force District Washington

The Washington Nationals recalled outfielder Stone Garrett from Triple-A Rochester and placed outfielder Corey Dickerson on the 10-day Injured List with a left calf strain on Sunday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.

Garrett, 27, went 4-for-8 with two RBI, one stolen base and two runs scored in two games with Triple-A Rochester to start the 2023 season. He recorded three hits and two RBI on Opening Day, March 31 vs. Lehigh Valley (PHI).

Garrett hit .276 with eight doubles, four homers, 10 RBI, three walks, three stolen bases and 13 runs scored in 27 games with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2022. He made his Major League debut on Aug. 17 vs. San Francisco and recorded his first Major League hit that night, a double off Carlos Rodón. He recorded hits in four of his first five at bats and hit safely in 10 of his first 12 games. At the time of his promotion, Garrett ranked among all Minor Leaguers in RBI (T2^nd, 96), home runs (T4^th, 28), extra-base hits (T6^th, 54) and total bases (10^th, 221).

A power-hitting outfielder, Garrett entered the season with 57 homers, 187 RBI and a .538 slugging percentage in 235 total (MLB/MiLB) games across the last two seasons (2021-22). Entering 2023, he is the only player in the Minor Leagues to have at least 25 homers and 15 stolen bases in each of the last two seasons. Additionally, Garrett is one of two Minor Leaguers to have amassed at least 50 homers and 30 stolen bases since 2021.

Garrett signed a Major League contract with the Nationals on November 29, 2022 and is under team control for six seasons.

After a busy offseason, the Washington Nationals kick off the 2023 season with a three-game series against the Atlanta Braves, followed by a three-game set vs. the Tampa Bay Rays. The first homestand of the season features several fun promotions and events for fans of all ages, including an Opening Day City Connect t-shirt and the first of four Patriotic Series games with Military Appreciation Day.

Single-game tickets for all Nationals home games are on sale now. The Nationals open their 2023 campaign at Nationals Park on Thursday, March 30, against the Atlanta Braves. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. ET and gates will be open to fans at 11:30 a.m. ET. Tickets are available at nats.com/OpeningDay.

As a reminder, if you would like to cover any events at Nationals Park, please contact Valerie Todryk Krebs at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Gabrielle Scheder-Bieschin at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Devon Bridges at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for credentialing information in advance of the event. 

THURSDAY, MARCH 30 vs. ATLANTA BRAVES (1:05 PM ET)

• Opening Day City Connect T-Shirt

o   The first 20,000 fans will receive an Opening Day City Connect t-shirt presented by PenFed.

The Orioles today announced the club’s 2023 Opening Day roster. 

The Orioles’ 26-man roster includes:

The Orioles have made the following roster moves:

• Selected the contract of C Anthony Bemboom. He will wear #37.
• Placed RHP Mychal Givens on the 15-day Injured List with left knee inflammation, retroactive to March 27.
• Placed C James McCann on the 10-day Injured List with a left oblique strain, retroactive to March 27.
• Placed LHP John Means on the 60-day Injured List with left elbow UCL surgery.
• Placed RHP Dillon Tate on the 15-day Injured List with a right elbow flexor strain, retroactive to March 27.
• Optioned RHP Joey Krehbiel to Triple-A Norfolk.

The Washington Nationals announced their 2023 Opening Day roster and corresponding moves on Thursday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements.

Washington Nationals Philanthropies, the official charitable arm of the Washington Nationals Baseball Club, hosted its annual signature fundraising event Tuesday night, honoring former Nationals player Ryan Zimmerman with its Power of Baseball Award. The Nationals Homecoming Gala, held at The Anthem at The Wharf, raised nearly $1 million to further Nationals Philanthropies’ community impact work and was attended by members of the Lerner family, the Washington Nationals baseball club and front office, and representatives from several prominent local organizations and philanthropists. Auction items can continue to be bid upon until 8 p.m. ET tomorrow, March 30, at nats.com/Homecoming.

The Power of Baseball Award, presented by The Annette M. and Theodore N. Lerner Family Foundation, is Washington Nationals Philanthropies’ most illustrious award, and recognizes an individual, corporation, organization or local group that embodies the positive character and level of achievement exemplified throughout the game of baseball.

The first-ever player drafted by the Nationals, Zimmerman played 17 seasons with the organization – including a historic World Series championship run – before retiring in 2022. Aptly nicknamed “Mr. National,” Zimmerman has proven himself a leader on the field and in the community. He is the first current or former player to receive the foundation’s Power of Baseball Award.

“Throughout his career, Ryan Zimmerman was a leader, an inspiration, and a tireless advocate for our community,” said Tal Alter, CEO of Nationals Philanthropies. “Off the field, Ryan’s dedication to numerous charitable initiatives including his own ziMS Foundation show that he is a driving force for good. It is with great pleasure that we recognize his contributions to the region and the game of baseball with the 2023 Power of Baseball Award.”

Zimmerman is the largest individual donor to Nationals Philanthropies over the past decade and has been a consistent supporter of Scholar Athletes at the Nationals Youth Baseball Academy, having visited the program numerous times over the years. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Zimmerman and his wife Heather spearheaded a relief campaign to provide health care professionals with support, resources and meals. During his playing career, Zimmerman was the club’s Roberto Clemente Award nominee six times and received the “Good Guy” Award by D.C. media twice since it was first established in 2016.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the United States Oksana Markarova will throw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the Washington Nationals Opening Day game on Thursday, March 30, at 1:05 p.m ET.

“We are honored to have Ambassador Markarova join us as we celebrate the start of the baseball season,” said Washington Nationals managing principal owner Mark D. Lerner. “We deeply admire Ambassador Markarova’s leadership and courage, and the strength of all Ukrainian people, during this most difficult time, and we are proud to lend our support as we stand with Ukraine.”

Ambassador Oksana Markarova will be joined on the field by her daughter Anna, as well as Oleksandr Rozhkov, Military Attaché at the Embassy of Ukraine to the United States.

“I am honored to start this Opening Day, and I am sincerely grateful to all Americans for standing with Ukraine as we fight for our homes, dignity, freedom, and independence. This war has already claimed the lives of hundreds of Ukrainian athletes and coaches, including one baseball player who fought within the ranks of Ukrainian armed forces. Since the very first days of Russia’s large-scale military aggression, thousands of Ukrainian athletes volunteered to defend their country, 56 baseball players among them. We share the passion for freedom and baseball with the USA, and we will win together,” said the Ambassador.

Oksana Markarova was appointed the Ukraine’s Ambassador to the United States and arrived in Washington, D.C. on Apr 20, 2021. She served in Ukraine’s Ministry of Finance in 2015-20 as First deputy Minister and Government commissioner on investments and then since 2018 as a Minister of Finance. Ambassador Markarova serves on the Boards of UkraineHouse DC foundation in Washington D.C.; Kyiv-Mohyla Academy; Ukrainian Development Foundation and supports Ukrainian Catholic University and Ukrainian Press Museum-Archive. She holds BS and MS degrees in Environmental Science from Kyiv-Mohyla Academy in Ukraine and MPA in public finance from Indiana University with academic excellency and best international student awards. Markarova is married with four children and a grandson.