In the final spring tuneup before Opening Day on Thursday, two starting pitchers made their first appearances as members of the home team at Nationals Park this afternoon.

Trevor Williams, who signed a two-year, $13 million contract this offseason, and MacKenzie Gore, one of the top prospects acquired from the Padres in the Juan Soto trade last summer, made their Nationals debuts on South Capitol Street during a 3-0 exhibition win over the Yankees in front of 13,012 fans.

The plan for both was to pitch three innings and throw about 50 pitches. But Williams, who had a strong spring, was so efficient, he was able to go out and complete a fourth frame, allowing just one hit, two walks and a hit batter with a strikeout of Aaron Judge and a pickoff at second base on 52 pitches, 30 strikes, over a scoreless outing.

“It was good to complete four. We were shooting for about 50 pitches,” Williams said. “So to get up there, get four ups and have some clean innings was good. It's nice to pitch in a big league atmosphere, a big league stadium. It was a fun first date wearing a white jersey here or white pants here. I took a minute to kind of look around the ballpark from a different angle today and I can't wait to get the regular season started.”

Williams has actually made five appearances (three starts) at Nats Park while being a member of the Pirates and Mets over his seven-year career. But his first appearance with the Nationals, one that still doesn’t officially count, was still about getting ready for when it actually matters.

Finally, the 2023 regular season is almost here. We’re counting down hours at this point and it’s great. Baseball that counts and a potentially very exciting season of Orioles baseball is about to begin. 

They gained 31 wins last year, finished 83-79 and were just three games out of an American League playoff berth. The last time they won more than 83 was also the last time they made the playoffs, as an AL wild-card team with 89 wins in 2016.

As the pursuit of a playoff berth begins for real tomorrow, here are a few things the Orioles no doubt hope goes well for the club in the season ahead. It is just a partial list.

Stay healthy: Captain Obvious called to suggest I didn’t need to state this one, but I did anyway. The Captain was not amused. Yes, every team could use good overall health over six months and 162 games. Some teams have a larger margin for error however. But key injuries can make the difference in the standings. The Tampa Bay Rays will begin the year without right-hander Tyler Glasnow, who could debut in May. The Yankees, who won the AL East by seven games with 99 victories last year, will be down a few starting pitchers to begin the season including lefty Carlos Rondón. He has a left elbow strain and is expected to begin the year on the injured list but could return before April is out.

The Orioles are a deeper organization on Opening Day 2023 than a year ago, but still likely need most of their key players to stay on the field to truly have a postseason shot. Getting John Means back in July, if he meets that projection and is throwing well, could be a big lift as someone coming off the IL.

There will be a lot new to fans when a new season of Orioles baseball at Oriole Park at Camden Yards begins next Thursday, April 6 at 3:05 p.m. when the O’s host the Yankees in their home opener.

From the field to the food and at several stops in between, there is newness all around.

Let’s start with the playing surface. Nicole Sherry, Orioles senior director, field operations, said the field was replaced in December.

“Huge project took place, completed December of 2022. We replaced the entire field. Five inches of old rootzone material came out and five inches of new 100 percent sand went in and brand new Kentucky Bluegrass sod was laid. It’s been a long offseason for the groundscrew, but we’ve got it looking great. So we’re excited,” Sherry said earlier today at Oriole Park, where the field looked spectacular.

“It was about three weeks worth of work. A lot of material brought in and hauled out. By far the biggest project we’ve had to do in my 20 years here,” she added. “This project has been in the process for a good three years. It was needed and thankful we were able to get it done.”

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.

Spring training is over. After six weeks of early morning workouts, Grapefruit League games and bus rides all over Florida, the Nationals have returned home for their last tuneup before Thursday’s Opening Day game against the Braves.

Because of the three off-days this week, the Nats’ pitching schedule has been altered a bit. That is why you’ll see two starters – Trevor Williams and MacKenzie Gore – take the mound for about three innings each this afternoon. Although Williams will start the game (based solely on his veteran status, per manager Davey Martinez), Gore is expected to start the Nationals’ third game of the season on Sunday. Williams will then start Monday’s series opener against the Rays.

Even though this game still doesn’t count, it will be nice to see Gore pitching at Nationals Park for the first time. Gore, Williams and whoever follows out of the bullpen will face a dangerous lineup from the Yankees, who are stopping in town before heading up to New York for their season opener against the Giants.

Opening Day rosters don’t have to be announced until Thursday morning, so this will be the last chance for guys on minor league deals and who are battling for spots to make their cases. Although it appears Michael Chavis has earned the last bench spot and the bullpen has taken its shape, nothing has been made official yet.

This will also be the last exhibition tuneup for the MASN broadcast team, as you can watch today’s game coverage starting at noon.

RHP Andrew Politi has cleared waivers and been returned to the Boston Red Sox.

The Orioles have selected the contract of LHP Danny Coulombe. He will wear No. 54.

In addition, they have designated RHP Andrew Politi for assignment.

The Orioles have made the following roster move:

Acquired LHP Danny Coulombe (KOO-lohm) from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for cash considerations. He has not yet reported.

SARASOTA, Fla. – The Orioles will begin the 2023 season without their two top pitching prospects on the Opening Day roster.

DL Hall and Grayson Rodriguez have been optioned to minor league camp in the past two days – Hall to get stretched out as a starter and Rodriguez based on his spring struggles.

The news on Rodriguez came earlier today, with the right-hander sabotaged by one bad inning in each of his last three appearances. He allowed a combined 11 earned runs and 14 total with 14 hits over 10 2/3 innings in those three games.

“Any time you have those type of conversations, it's not easy,” said manager Brandon Hyde. “I think that, like all of our guys, he handled it like a pro. And we'll move on from there."

Also today, the Orioles reassigned infielders Josh Lester, Ryan O’Hearn and Jordan Westburg, outfielder Daz Cameron, catcher Maverick Handley and pitcher Eduard Bazardo. First baseman/outfielder Franchy Cordero and outfielder Nomar Mazara exercised the opt-out clauses in their contracts and were granted their release.

The Orioles have optioned RHP Grayson Rodriguez to Triple-A Norfolk and reassigned RHP Eduard Bazardo, OF Daz Cameron, RHP Reed Garrett, C Maverick Handley, INF Josh Lester, INF Ryan O'Hearn and INF Jordan Westburg to Triple-A Norfolk.

In addition, they have granted INF/OF Franchy Cordero and OF Nomar Mazara their releases.

2019 World Series champion Gerardo Parra, who endeared himself to Nationals fans and baseball lovers across the globe with his “Baby Shark” walk-up music, will kick off 2023 Opening Day celebrations on Thursday, March 30, by leading the World-Famous Budweiser Clydesdales on a parade around Washington, D.C.’s Navy Yard neighborhood.

Parra, who currently serves as Special Assistant to the General Manager with the Nationals, will ride the hitch as the Clydesdales depart from Nationals Park at the corner of First St. and N St. SE at 10:45 a.m. He will greet fans and pass out giveaways, including autographed memorabilia, along the route, which makes its way east on N St. before heading north on Fourth St. and turning back west on M St. The hitch will then proceed down Half St., where it will stop at Nationals Park’s Center Field Gates at approximately 11:15 a.m. The Budweiser Clydesdales, which are currently celebrating their 90^th anniversary, will be available for photos outside the ballpark until gates open at 11:30 a.m., with one Clydesdale available for additional photos inside the ballpark near the Budweiser Brew House from 12:00-12:30 p.m.

The Washington Nationals face the Atlanta Braves at 1:05 p.m. on Opening Day, Thursday, March 30. Fans are encouraged to arrive early to the neighborhood for pregame festivities and entertainment, including the Clydesdales parade, mascot appearances and more. Gates open at 11:30 a.m., and on-field pregame ceremonies begin at 12:20 p.m. Tickets are available at nats.com/OpeningDay.

Parade Route:

SARASOTA, Fla. – Orioles catcher James McCann hit off a tee yesterday to gauge the level of discomfort in his left oblique and didn’t come away with renewed confidence in his status for Opening Day.

McCann said the hitting session went “OK.” He hasn’t played in a week.

“Good, not great, would be the best way I could put it,” he said.

Adley Rutschman is catching today, and Ramon Rodriguez has a locker in the clubhouse. Mark Kolozsvary arrived yesterday from minor league camp.

“We’re going to slow play the next couple days and just see how I progress,” he said. “At the end of the day, the biggest thing that I can say is, being smart now is better than being sorry later.

SARASOTA, Fla. – The last exhibition game of 2023 will be played this afternoon, with the Cardinals driving across the state to face Orioles’ No. 2 starter Dean Kremer.

Félix Bautista is expected to make his last appearance and be deemed ready for Opening Day. Injuries in the bullpen make his availability even more important.

Mike Baumann also could make his final appearance while trying to wrestling away the last bullpen spot.

Manager Brandon Hyde has posted a lineup that contains most of his projected starters. Austin Hays and Kyle Stowers aren’t in it against St. Louis left-hander Jordan Montgomery, but Gunnar Henderson is the designated hitter and Ramón Urías is playing third base.

That could happen again.

SARASOTA, Fla. – One of the biggest roster decisions for the Orioles has been made.

Left-hander DL Hall was among three pitchers optioned to minor league camp today following a 4-2 win over the Phillies.

Spenser Watkins and Yennier Canó also were cut to bring the number down to 41, including 10 non-roster invites. Fifteen additional moves are pending.

The Orioles fly to Boston after Tuesday's workout in Sarasota.

Hall got a late start in spring training due to lower-back discomfort that he noticed about three weeks before reporting. He made only two appearances, and the Orioles decided against putting him in the bullpen on Opening Day.

BRADENTON, Fla. – Asked again about Tyler Wells before tonight’s game against the Pirates, the latest attempt to ascertain the Orioles’ plans for him, manager Brandon Hyde noted the positive reports from the right-hander’s last outing in Tampa and how well he pitched as a starter in 2022.

“I think he can do a lot of things for us,” Hyde said.

The specifics remain locked in the vault.

Wells issued the strongest statement for his inclusion on the roster with tonight’s effort against the Pirates, the only question being in what role. He was touched only for an unearned run and two hits over five innings, with no walks and two strikeouts. He retired 14 of the last 16 batters.

Coupled with his previous outing against the Yankees, Wells has surrendered one earned run with no walks in 8 2/3 innings. A fast finish in the race for a rotation spot.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – All of the decisions, for the most part, have already been made. There’s not much-left anyone can do to make or break his chances of making the Opening Day roster.

So consider tonight’s penultimate Grapefruit League game – a 6-1 loss to the Astros – a true exhibition, one in which the only real goal was to play nine innings, get any necessary work in and avoid injury.

The Nationals accomplished all of that, so who cares about the end result? (Though it does leave them with a tenuous 12-11-2 record heading into Sunday’s finale, needing a win over the Marlins to finish the spring over .500.)

Patrick Corbin, whose next start in five days will kick off the regular season, did what he needed to do in his final tune-up. The left-hander, who had already been stretched out to six innings in his previous outing, was held to four innings and 60 pitches. He allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits, making a couple of mistakes but also victimized by some shaky defense behind him.

“I felt command was pretty good,” he said. “Maybe a couple pitches were up, but I got some swings-and-misses on changeups and sliders. Overall, I felt pretty good. I’ve just got to throw another bullpen coming up and then get ready for the first game.”

BRADENTON, Fla. – Mychal Givens played catch this afternoon for the second consecutive day to test his left knee, but reliever and team are no closer to knowing whether he can make the Opening Day roster.

Givens hasn’t pitched since March 16 and the Orioles want him to face hitters at least one more time before breaking camp. They could arrange a simulated game on the Camden Yards field.

“Still taking it day-by-day, just trying to make sure everything’s good,” Givens said this afternoon when asked for an update on the knee.

“It went well yesterday and he got treatment today,” said manager Brandon Hyde. “I think it’s feeling OK. As of right now we don’t have any more plans than yesterday went well, see how he was today, he was going to play catch again today, and see if we get him in a game or back field or something.”

Givens didn’t know his schedule beyond today’s flat ground session or have a true sense of whether he could avoid the injured list.

The Washington Nationals have made the following roster moves:

Optioned to Triple-A Rochester:

INF Jeter Downs

RHP Paolo Espino

SARASOTA, Fla. – The Orioles play their last spring road game tonight, with Tyler Wells starting against the Pirates in Bradenton and Ramón Urías hoping to stay in the lineup after twice being scratched with a bruised right thumb.

Urías is starting at second base and batting second behind third baseman Terrin Vavra.

“I feel like I’m good to go,” he said this afternoon.

Urías tested the hand yesterday by hitting in the cage and taking ground balls.

“Whenever I threw the baseball and it hit my fingers, it was still too sensitive,” he said. “I shouldn’t have an issue tonight.”