The Washington Nationals agreed to terms with 14 international free agents on Wednesday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo and Director of International Operations Victor Rodriguez made the joint announcement.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
PLAYER POS B/T HT WT AGE D.O.B. HOMETOWN SIGNING SCOUT
Ronny Bello 2B R/R 5’10” 150 17 10/18/07 San Pedro de Macoris Oscar Disla
The Orioles have made the following roster move:
Voting is now open for NATS20 Fan Favorite Moments, part of the Washington Nationals season-long 20th Anniversary celebration.
A panel of former players, broadcasters and longtime employees submitted their favorite memories from the first two decades of Nationals baseball, but fans will have the final say on which moments will be prominently featured throughout Nationals Park this season.
The initial list, curated by panelists like Mr. National, Ryan Zimmerman; broadcasters Bob Carpenter, Kevin Frandsen, Dave Jageler, Dan Kolko and Charlie Slowes; public address announcer Jerome Hruska; and organist Matthew Van Hoose, includes game-changing moments like Howie Kendrick’s foul-pole home run; franchise firsts like Jordan Zimmermann’s no-hitter; and even Teddy’s first win in the Presidents Race.
The top 20 moments, as chosen by the fans, will be announced in February, and images representing the selections will be prominently displayed throughout the ballpark, including around the concourse and hanging from the outfield garages. Plus, three of the top moments will be featured as part of the Mystery Bobblehead giveaway on Saturday, May 24, where 20,000 fans in attendance will receive one of the three collectibles.
Voting is open now through Thursday, Jan. 30, at nats.com/NATS20.
The Washington Nationals today announced an agreement with Costa Media, extending the official Spanish-language radio broadcast partnership through the 2027 season. During the Nationals’ upcoming season, fans can tune in to DC 87.7 FM and La Pantera WFAX 100.7 FM/1220 AM for live Spanish-language broadcasts for both home and away games, with in-game play-by-play analysis, 15-minute pre- and postgame shows, in-depth organizational reporting and player interviews.
“We are thrilled to extend our partnership with the Nationals organization and deliver first-class Spanish-language play-by-play to the DMV Latino community,” said Jose Villafane, Founder and Managing Partner of Costa Media.
Luciano Rodríguez and Gustavo Salazar will once again team up and return to the Nationals’ Spanish-language radio booth for the upcoming 20th Anniversary season. Rodríguez, a Venezuelan native, provides play-by-play and is a 40-year veteran of D.C. Latin sports broadcasts. He began his Spanish-language radio career in the late 1980s at WILC 900 AM, and in 1993, became the first Spanish-language color commentator for the Baltimore Orioles. From 2005 to 2015, he worked for SiriusXM as a Spanish-language host, commentator and producer covering baseball and other sports. Born in Bolivia, Salazar serves as the color analyst and producer. A third-generation broadcaster, Salazar’s family has combined for nearly 100 years in the Latin broadcast industry. Salazar was an integral part of CBS Radio and iHeart Radio’s Latino radio market growth in D.C. and Philadelphia, and from 2013 to 2022, he served as a Spanish radio broadcaster for the Baltimore Ravens and Philadelphia Eagles, including calling the Eagles’ Super Bowl LII championship season.
The continued partnership with Costa Media is an extension of the Nationals’ ongoing engagement with the area’s Spanish-speaking community. Each season, the Nationals celebrate the rich history and culture during Hispanic Heritage Day at Nationals Park. In 2024, the Nationals held its first-ever dual-language Spanish/English Q&A session with Salazar and Nationals players on Hispanic Heritage Day. Additionally, Manager Dave Martinez shows his appreciation for his Hispanic roots through his Davey’s Dugout initiative – a monthly event held during the season that invites families and individuals of Hispanic heritage to join a special Q&A with Martinez and Spanish-speaking players, as well as stay to enjoy that day’s game.
For more information on Costa Media, visit costa-media.com and nats.com.
The Orioles today announced that they have agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher ANDREW KITTREDGE on a one-year contract for the 2025 season with a club option for 2026.
Kittredge, 34, was 5-5 with one save and a 2.80 ERA (22 ER/70.2 IP) with 60 hits (10 HR), 26 total runs, 20 walks (2 IBB), and 67 strikeouts in a career-high 74 appearances, all in relief, with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2024. His 37 holds set the Cardinals single-season record and led the National League, one behind Houston’s Bryan Abreu for the MLB high. Kittredge’s 74 games ranked fifth in the NL. Last season was his first full year since 2021 after undergoing right elbow UCL surgery (Tommy John) in June of 2022 as a member of the Tampa Bay Rays.
Kittredge is 23-12 with 16 saves, 52 holds, and a 3.44 ERA (109 ER/285.1 IP) with 268 hits (38 HR), 123 total runs, seven hit batters, 76 walks (13 IBB), and 273 strikeouts in 255 career games (15 starts) over eight seasons between the Cardinals and Rays. He’s posted a 2.48 ERA (48 ER/174.0 IP) since 2021, tied for the seventh-best ERA in the majors among players with at least 150 appearances during that time. He was originally signed by the Seattle Mariners as a non-drafted free agent out of the University of Washington on August 25, 2011. Tampa Bay acquired him along with two players from Seattle in exchange for Taylor Motter and Richie Shaffer on November 18, 2016. He elected free agency following the 2020 season before signing back with the Rays on a minor league deal on December 16, 2020. Kittredge made Tampa Bay’s Opening Day roster in 2021 and was an American League All-Star after posting a 1.47 ERA (7 ER/43.0 IP) through the break that season. St. Louis acquired him from Tampa Bay in exchange for Richie Palacios on January 5, 2024.
To make room on the 40-man roster, catcher BLAKE HUNT has been designated for assignment. The Orioles’ 40-man roster currently has 40 players.
The weekend-long tour returns from January 30-February 1 to bring Orioles baseball directly to fans throughout the region
The Orioles today announced the return of the club’s ‘Birdland Caravan,’ a three-day winter tour, that will take place from Thursday, January 30, through Saturday, February 1, at multiple locations throughout the region. The celebration will include pop-up photo opportunities at surprise locations, community projects, mascot meet and greets, happy hours, and bowling. New to 2025, fans can participate in Karaoke Happy Hour at PBR Baltimore, along with new youth events like the Rip & Play Event at Bel Air Sports Cards, Orioles PLAY BALL Rookie Clinic, and a new family-friendly, interactive Kids Rally.
Current Orioles players participating in select events include COLTON COWSER, GUNNAR HENDERSON, JACKSON HOLLIDAY, CHAYCE McDERMOTT, RYAN MOUNTCASTLE, RYAN O’HEARN, CADE POVICH, ADLEY RUTSCHMAN, ALBERT SUÁREZ, and JORDAN WESTBURG. Additionally, Orioles Executive Vice President and General Manager MIKE ELIAS and Manager BRANDON HYDE will attend select events throughout the weekend.
Designed to take the Oriole Park experience directly to the fans, Birdland Caravan will make stops throughout Maryland including Baltimore, Bel Air, Columbia, Ellicott City, Halethorpe, and Severn, along with three additional surprise locations in Frederick, Harford, and Montgomery Counties. Fans in Pasadena and Westminster will also have the opportunity to meet and take photos with the Oriole Bird, Mr. Splash, and the Camden Franks.
New this year, tickets are required for several key events, including the Kids Rally in Severn, the Bowling Experience at Bowlero Columbia, Orioles PLAY BALL Rookie Clinic in Ellicott City, Rip & Play Event at Bel Air Sports Cards, and all happy hours. This marks an exciting update to enhance the experience and ensure a smooth process for participants. All profits from 2025 Birdland Caravan events will benefit the Orioles Charitable Foundation, supporting impactful community initiatives and programs. Fans must purchase tickets in advance as availability will be limited. Tickets are now on sale and available at Orioles.com/Caravan.
The Washington Nationals agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Jorge López on a one-year contract and designated right-handed pitcher Amos Willingham for assignment on Saturday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.
López, 31, joins the Nationals after he went 2-3 with a 2.89 ERA, 50 strikeouts and four saves in 52 relief appearances last season between the New York Mets and Chicago Cubs. He worked 39 scoreless appearances, including 14 consecutive from July 11 to August 16. That 16.0-inning scoreless streak was tied for the 10th-longest by a National League reliever in 2024.
An American League All-Star in 2022, López has pitched in parts of nine Major League seasons with Milwaukee (2015, 2017-18), Kansas City (2018-20), Baltimore (2020-22, 2023), Minnesota (2022-23), Miami (2023), New York (NL) (2024) and Chicago (NL) (2024). He is 24-43 with a 5.25 ERA, 31 saves and 468 strikeouts in 282 career games (58 starts). Since transitioning to the bullpen full-time in 2022, López is 12-12 with a 3.74 ERA, 30 saves, 21 holds and 171 strikeouts in 183.0 innings.
López was originally selected by Milwaukee in the second round of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft out of Caguas Military Academy in Caguas, Puerto Rico.
The Orioles have made the following roster moves:
The Orioles’ 40-man roster currently has 40 players.
The Orioles have made the following roster moves:
Single game tickets to go on sale Thursday, January 16 and include expanded Bird Bath Splash Zone
The Orioles today announced that tickets for all 2025 regular season home games at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, excluding the Home Opener, will go on sale to the general public on Thursday, January 16, at 10 a.m. ET. Tickets, including for the Bird Bath Splash Zone, which will expand to include Sections 84 and 86, can be purchased at Orioles.com/Tickets. The club also announced its 2025 promotional schedule, which is highlighted by six bobbleheads, multiple t-shirt nights, an Orioles Bowling Shirt, Yacht Rock Cap, Cowboy Hat, Birdland Hawaiian Shirt, and the first-ever Star Wars Weekend.
Fans who subscribe to the free Orioles Insider email newsletter will receive an exclusive invitation to participate in an online pre-sale beginning Wednesday, January 15, at 10 a.m. Fans can subscribe online at Orioles.com/Newsletter. Due to high demand, tickets for the Orioles Home Opener on Monday, March 31, against the Boston Red Sox at 3:05 p.m. are available exclusively to Birdland Members. For more information, or to purchase a 2025 Birdland Membership, call 888-848-BIRD or visit Orioles.com/Memberships.
This year, giveaways will be available to fans of all ages, while supplies last, unless otherwise noted.
The bobbleheads will include Orioles Owner and Control Person DAVID RUBENSTEIN (April 19), COLTON COWSER (May 2) and GUNNAR HENDERSON (May 4) as part of Star Wars Weekend, GRAYSON RODRIGUEZ (May 31), JORDAN WESTBURG (July 28), and ADLEY RUTSCHMAN (September 24).
The Washington Nationals agreed to terms with infielder Amed Rosario on a one-year contract and designated pitcher Joan Adon for assignment on Wednesday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.
Rosario, 29, joins the Nationals after he hit .280 with 18 doubles, three triples, three home runs, 32 RBI, 13 stolen bases and 29 runs scored in 103 games between Tampa Bay, Los Angeles (NL) and Cincinnati in 2024. He began his season by recording 10 multi-hit games in his first 18 starts and finished the year with 26 multi-hit efforts in 82 starts.
A versatile defender, Rosario played 27 games at second base, 26 games in right field, 15 games at third base and 14 games at shortstop last season.
A veteran of parts of eight Major League seasons, the Santo Domingo Centro, Dominican Republic, native is a career .273 hitter with 157 doubles, 46 triples, 63 home runs, 366 RBI, 109 stolen bases and 449 runs scored between New York (NL) (2017-20), Cleveland (2021-23), Los Angeles (NL) (2023-24), Tampa Bay (2024) and Cincinnati (2024). Rosario has played 766 games at shortstop, 63 games at second base, 26 games in right field, 18 games in center field, 15 games at third base and seven games in left field since his debut in 2017.
Originally signed as a non-drafted free agent by New York (NL) in 2013, Rosario played his way onto the Baseball America top 100 prospect list beginning in 2015 and peaked at No. 8 in 2017.
Our hearts are heavy tonight as we mourn the passing of former Oriole, BRIAN MATUSZ.
A staple in our clubhouse from 2009-2016, Brian was beloved throughout Birdland, and his passion for baseball and our community was unmatched. He dedicated his time to connecting with any fan he could, was a cherished teammate, and always had a smile on his face.
Brian’s family and loved ones are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
The Baltimore Orioles today announced that DON ROVAK will join the organization as the Chief Revenue Officer, focusing on revenue generation through ticket and corporate sales in both Baltimore and Sarasota, Fla., and creating local economic impact for the city, state, and surrounding area.
“We are excited to have such an incredible talent and industry leader join the Orioles at such a thrilling time for our organization,” shared CATIE GRIGGS, Orioles President of Business Operations. “His expertise, passion, and creativity will be a tremendous asset to our club for years to come.”
Rovak joins the Orioles after just completing his 17th year with AMB Sports and Entertainment, a company comprised of the National Football League’s Atlanta Falcons, Major League Soccer’s Atlanta United FC, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta Drive GC, and PGA TOUR Superstore. With AMB Sports and Entertainment, Rovak’s responsibilities included Mercedes-Benz Stadium events, private events, and Falcons and Atlanta United ticket sales, service, and ticket operations departments.
Rovak has led the team that has sold out Mercedes-Benz Stadium for all Falcons games and United matches since its opening in 2017. He revolutionized benefits for Falcons season ticket members, including free tickets for road games, annual seat relocation, and pre-party invitations, among other enhancements. Under his supervision, in all seasons for Atlanta United, the team finished first in season tickets, group sales, and overall attendance. Additionally, Atlanta United holds many of the top single match attendance records in their short lifespan.
“I am thrilled to arrive in Baltimore, and to be a part of such a historic franchise with so much opportunity ahead,” shared Rovak. “I look forward to developing relationships with the fans and the corporate community as we embark on an exciting O’s season.”
The Washington Nationals agreed to terms with first baseman/designated hitter Josh Bell on a one-year contract on Sunday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.
Bell, 32, joins the Nationals after he hit .249 with 23 doubles, two triples, 19 home runs and 71 RBI in 145 games between the Miami Marlins and Arizona Diamondbacks in 2024. He capped off the season by batting .304 with six doubles, a triple, 10 home runs and 31 RBI in 48 games after July 21.
Bell returns to Washington after he hit .278 with 48 doubles, four triples, 41 home runs and 145 RBI in 247 games with the Nationals between 2021 and 2022. During those two seasons, he hit .302 with 25 doubles, two triples, 22 home runs and 72 RBI in 125 games at Nationals Park.
A National League All-Star in 2019 and Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Award winner in 2022, the nine-year Major League veteran has hit .258 with 209 doubles, 19 triples, 171 home runs, 613 RBI, four stolen bases and 550 runs scored in 1147 career games.
The Orioles today announced that they have agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Charlie Morton on a one-year major league contract for the 2025 season.
Morton, 41, went 8-10 with a 4.19 ERA (77 ER/165.1 IP) with 154 hits (23 HR), 85 total runs, 65 walks (1 IBB), 18 hit batters, and 167 strikeouts in 30 games, all starts, for the Atlanta Braves last season. He is one of four pitchers to make at least 30 starts in each full season since 2018 (not including 2020), along with José Berríos, Patrick Corbin, and Aaron Nola. During the last four years with the Braves, he combined to go 45-34 with a 3.87 ERA (295 ER/686.1 IP).
Morton is a 17-year veteran with the Braves, Tampa Bay Rays, Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies, and Pittsburgh Pirates. Between the five teams, he’s gone 138-123 with a 4.01 ERA (948 ER/2,125.2 IP) with 1,991 hits (203 HR), 1,045 total runs, 787 walks (25 IBB), 186 hit batters, and 2,047 strikeouts in 383 games (382 starts). His 138 wins are tied for the seventh most among active pitchers. He finished third in the American League Cy Young Award voting and received a vote for Most Valuable Player in 2019 with the Rays. Morton also made the All-Star team that year, marking his second straight All-Star season after doing so with the Astros in 2018.
A native of Flemington, NJ, Morton was originally selected by the Braves in the third round of the 2002 First-Year Player Draft out of Joel Barlow (CT) High School. He was acquired by Pittsburgh along with Gorkys Hernández and Jeff Locke in exchange for Nate McLouth on June 3, 2009. Philadelphia acquired him for David Whitehead on December 12, 2015. Morton then signed MLB contracts with Houston, Tampa Bay, and Atlanta.
To make room on the 40-man roster, catcher René Pinto was designated for assignment. The Orioles’ 40-man roster currently has 40 players.
The Washington Nationals agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Trevor Williams on a two-year contract on Tuesday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.
Williams, 32, returns to the Nationals after going 6-1 with a 2.03 ERA, 59 strikeouts and 18 walks in 13 starts in 2024. He allowed just three home runs in 66.2 innings pitched and held opposing batters to a .214 batting average along the way. His career-best 2.03 ERA was the lowest in a season in Nationals history (2005-pres.) by a pitcher with at least 10 starts. Williams was particularly strong at home, going 3-0 with a 1.37 ERA (4 ER/26.1 IP), 30 strikeouts and four walks in five starts at Nationals Park.
Williams started his second season in Washington on a strong note, going 4-0 with a 1.94 ERA (9 ER/41.2 IP) in his first eight starts. His best stretch came in three starts from May 1 to May 14 when he pitched to a 0.60 ERA (1 ER/15.0 IP). He tossed 5.0 innings of shutout ball in back-to-back starts on May 1 at Texas and May 7 vs. Baltimore.
Williams was placed on the Injured List on June 1 with a right flexor muscle strain and did not return to the mound until Sept. 20. He capped the season by allowing just one earned run in 10.0 innings (0.90 ERA ) with 12 strikeouts, two walks and a .176 opponents’ average (6-for-34) over his last two starts.
This marks Williams’s second two-year contract with the Nationals after first signing with the organization on Dec. 10, 2022. He is 12-11 with a 4.44 ERA in 43 starts across two seasons (2023-24) in D.C. In parts of nine Major League seasons, Williams is 50-55 with a 4.30 ERA in 202 games (161 starts).
The Orioles have made the following roster move:
The Orioles have made the following roster moves:
The Washington Nationals acquired first baseman Nathaniel Lowe from the Texas Rangers in exchange for left-handed pitcher Robert Garcia on Sunday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.
Lowe, 29, won a Rawlings Gold Glove Award in 2023, a Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Award in 2022, and was a member of the 2023 World Champion Texas Rangers. In 2024, he paced the Rangers and ranked in the American League in walks (6th, 71) and on-base percentage (9th, .361). His .361 on-base percentage ranked second among American League first basemen, while his .762 OPS ranked third. Lowe’s 12.6% walk rate ranked fourth in all of Major League Baseball.
In his fourth season in Texas in 2024, Lowe hit .265 with 16 doubles, one triple, 16 home runs, 69 RBI, 71 walks, two stolen bases and 62 runs scored in 140 games. He ranked second among American League first basemen with seven outs above average and fourth with a .995 fielding percentage. Lowe is under club control through the 2026 season.
The left-handed hitting Lowe is a career .272/.356/.433 hitter with 114 doubles, 10 triples, 89 home runs, 329 RBI, 314 walks and 334 runs scored in 686 games across six Major League seasons with Texas (2021-24) and Tampa Bay. A native of Norfolk, Virginia, Lowe was originally selected by the Rays in the 13th round of the 2016 First-Year Player Draft out of Mississippi State University.
The Washington Nationals agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Michael Soroka on a one-year contract on Thursday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.
Soroka, 27, pitched to a 4.74 ERA with 84 strikeouts in 79.2 innings pitched in 25 games (nine starts) for the Chicago White Sox in 2024. He opened the season in Chicago’s rotation before moving to the bullpen in mid-May. He went on to post a .189 opponents’ batting average, 15.00 strikeouts per 9.0 innings (60 SO/36.0 IP) and a 2.75 ERA (11 ER/36.0 IP) in 16 relief appearances the rest of the season. Soroka capped the 2024 campaign by striking out 13 of the 26 batters he faced with two walks and a .083 opponents’ batting average (2-for-24) across his final three outings.
A National League All-Star for the Atlanta Braves in 2019, Soroka went 13-4 with a 2.68 ERA in 29 starts en route to finishing second in the National League Rookie of the Year voting in his first full Major League season. From 2018 to 2023 as a member of the Braves staff, Soroka went 17-8 with a 3.32 ERA in 44 games (43 starts).
Soroka was selected by Atlanta in the first round (No. 28 overall) of the 2015 First-Year Player Draft out of Bishop Carroll High School in Calgary, Alberta. He was acquired by the Chicago White Sox as a part of a five-player trade on Nov. 16, 2023.
