Just in time for the holidays, the Washington Nationals today unveiled highlights of the club’s 2023 promotional schedule featuring an exciting array of exclusive bobbleheads and other collectibles. Fans can guarantee access to the giveaways of their choice by customizing multi-game ticket packs, available now at nationals.com/TicketFinder. Single-game tickets go on sale later this month with early access for Season Plan Holders and Fan Club members.

The full schedule of promotions and theme nights will be released in early 2023. 

Giveaways

Visitors to Nationals Park will have multiple opportunities to leave with special giveaways commemorating their time at the ballpark. Young stars CJ Abrams, Josiah Gray and Keibert Ruiz are immortalized in bobblehead form, while a special two-part series featuring the world-famous Racing Presidents and an exclusive Screech Night OUT bobblehead are exciting must-haves for any Nationals fan.

Additionally, the popular cherry blossom-themed City Connect design will return on and off the field, including as part of the Opening Day t-shirt, Josiah Gray bobblehead and Nationals’ beer stein giveaways.

The Orioles tonight announced that they have agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher KYLE GIBSON on a one-year contract for the 2023 season.

Gibson, 35, made 31 starts for the National League champion Philadelphia Phillies in 2022, the fifth time in his career making at least 30 starts in a season. He went 10-8 with a 5.05 ERA (94 ER/167.2 IP) and a career-best 3.00 K/BB ratio (144 K/48 BB). In 18 home starts, Gibson pitched to a 7-4 record with a 4.57 ERA (52 ER/102.1 IP) and 80 strikeouts, compared to a 3-4 record with a 5.79 ERA (42 ER/65.1 IP) and 64 strikeouts in 13 road starts.

Gibson appeared on his fifth career Postseason roster and made his World Series debut in Game 3 at Citizens Bank Park, working 1.0 scoreless inning out of the bullpen with one hit and one strikeout in Philadelphia’s 7-0 loss to the Houston Astros. In two relief appearances during the 2022 Postseason, he worked 2.1 scoreless innings, allowing two hits with one walk and two strikeouts. 

He was named the Phillies’ 2022 nominee for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award, which recognizes a player from each club who best represents the game of baseball through extraordinary character, sportsmanship, community involvement, philanthropy, and positive contributions, both on and off the field. While with the Phillies, Gibson donated to Philabundance (a Philadelphia-area nonprofit food bank) and Cradles for Crayons after every strikeout and win and started a Philly Fantasy Football League to support Help One Now, an organization that empowers families in developing countries to end extreme poverty. Gibson serves as vice president of Big League Impact, a nonprofit founded in 2013 by Roberto Clemente Award winner Adam Wainwright (2020) to help people meet basic human needs, including food, clean water, medical care, shelter, and education. He was also nominated for the Clemente Award in 2019 as a member of the Minnesota Twins.

A native of Greenfield, Ind., Gibson was selected by Minnesota in the first round (No. 22 overall) of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Missouri. The 2021 American League All-Star was also a 2011 All-Star Futures Game selection before undergoing ligament transplant surgery on his right elbow late in 2011. He made his MLB debut on June 29, 2013 vs. Kansas City (W: 6.0 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 2 ER, HBP, 5 K) and became the third Minnesota pitcher all-time to win his debut while recording at least five strikeouts. Gibson is 89-91 with a 4.52 ERA (755 ER/1,504.0 IP) in 267 career games (261 starts) between the Phillies, Twins, and Texas Rangers. He has appeared in six games, all starts, at Oriole Park while going 3-1 with a 4.13 ERA (15 ER/32.2 IP).

The Orioles have made the following roster move:

• Agreed to terms on a 2023 Minor League contract with RHP Ofreidy Gómez.

The Orioles today announced that individual tickets for all Spring Training games at Ed Smith Stadium will go on sale Friday, December 9, at 10:00 a.m. ET. The club also announced its promotional schedule for the spring season, which is highlighted by four giveaway items.

Beginning Friday, December 9, fans can purchase individual tickets for the Spring Training season. Birdland Members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets in advance as part of a members-only pre-sale on Tuesday, December 6. In addition, fans can sign-up for the Sarasota 365 newsletter for pre-sale access on Wednesday, December 7. All tickets must be purchased online at Orioles.com/SpringTickets. Information on in-person ticket sales will be announced at a later date.

The 2023 Spring Training promotional schedule features giveaways and opportunities for fans of all ages. Again this year, the Orioles invite children and seniors to run the bases after select home games. Kids Run the Bases is open to all fans ages four to 14, and will return following every Sunday home game, while Seniors Stroll the Bases, presented by Sunways Senior Living Concierge, available to fans age 60 and older, will return after each Monday home game.

The promotional schedule is highlighted by special event days such as Heroes Day (March 8), presented by Cheney Brothers, and Youth Sports Day (March 19), as well as various giveaways, including a Magnet Schedule (February 25), presented by Tommy’s Car Wash, Orioles Spring Training T-Shirt (March 3), Chick-fil-A Plush Cow and coupon (March 4), presented by Chick-fil-A, and an Orioles Golf Visor (March 16), presented by First Watch.

During every Saturday and Sunday home game, the Orioles will honor members of the Sarasota community who are selflessly working or volunteering to improve the lives of others through the Birdland Community Heroes program. To nominate a hero, please visit Orioles.com/Spring.

The Washington Nationals agreed to terms on a one-year contract with infielder Jeimer (JAY-mer) Candelario (can-duh-LAR-ee-oh) and a Major League contract with outfielder Stone Garrett on Tuesday. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements.

Candelario, 29, has hit .240 with 126 doubles, 13 triples, 66 home runs, 248 RBI, 237 walks, seven stolen bases and 283 runs scored in parts of seven Major League seasons with the Chicago Cubs (2016-17) and Detroit Tigers (2017-22). In 2021, he tied for the Major League lead with 42 doubles while setting career marks in games played (149), hits (151), doubles (42), extra-base hits (61) and RBI (67).

A switch-hitter, Candelario combined to hit .278/.356/.458 with 53 doubles, six triples, 23 home runs, 96 RBI, 85 walks and 105 runs scored in 201 games between the 2020 and 2021 seasons. In his final season with Detroit in 2022, Candelario hit .217 with 19 doubles, two triples, 13 homers, 50 RBI, 28 walks and 49 runs scored in 124 games.

Defensively, Candelario has played 517 games at third base and 64 games at first base during his career. He played 117 games at third base and eight games as the designated hitter during the 2022 season.

Candelario signed with the Chicago Cubs as an international free agent on October 2, 2010 and made his Major League debut on July 3, 2016 against the New York Mets. He was traded to Detroit in 2017 with Isaac Paredes in exchange for Alex Avila and Justin Wilson.

The Orioles made the following roster moves:

• Tendered 2023 contracts to OF Austin Hays, SS Jorge Mateo, OF Cedric Mullins, OF Anthony Santander, RHP Dillon Tate, and RHP Austin Voth, as well as all pre-arbitration 40-man players.

The Orioles have made the following roster moves:

• Selected the contracts of RHP Noah Denoyer, RHP Seth Johnson, SS Joey Ortiz, RHP Grayson Rodriguez, and LHP Drew Rom.

The Orioles 40-man roster is at 39 players.

The Washington Nationals selected the contracts of infielder Jake Alu, left-handed pitcher Matt Cronin, outfielder Jeremy De La Rosa, left-handed pitcher Jose Ferrer, right-handed pitcher Jake Irvin and right-handed pitcher Jackson Rutledge on Tuesday. Additionally, the Nationals designated right-handed pitcher Tommy Romero for assignment while outfielder Yadiel Hernandez, left-handed pitcher Evan Lee and right-handed pitcher Jackson Tetreault cleared outright waivers and were assigned to Triple-A Rochester. On Monday, Nov. 14, the Nationals requested unconditional release waivers on left-handed pitcher Seth Romero. On Thursday, Nov. 10, catcher Tres Barrera and left-handed pitcher Francisco Pérez cleared outright waivers. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements.

Alu, 25, led Washington’s Minor League system in average (.299), slugging percentage (.506), OPS (.871), doubles (40), extra-base hits (62) and total bases (254) and tied for first in RBI (81) in 2022. He ranked second in on-base percentage (.365) and hits (150) while appearing in 132 games between Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A Rochester.

The left-handed hitting Alu finished the 2022 campaign on a season-high 20 game on-base streak, hitting safely in 19 of the 20 contests. He recorded two separate hitting streaks of 14 games from June 28-July 16 and Sept. 11-Sept. 27.

At third base, Alu led all of Minor League Baseball (infielders and outfielders) with 17 defensive runs saved, according to Baseball Info Solutions. In addition to his 114 games at third base, Alu also spent time at second base (9 games) and designated hitter (6 games).

Alu was selected in the 24th round of the 2019 First-Year Player Draft out of Boston College. He was signed by Nationals scout John Malzone.

The Baltimore Orioles have declined the 2023 club option on RHP Jordan Lyles.

The Orioles today announced their 2023 Major League Coaching Staff. The club has named CODY ASCHE Offensive Strategy Coach. All other coaches remain in their same positions: MATT BORGSCHULTE and RYAN FULLER as Co-Hitting Coaches, TIM COSSINS as Major League Field Coordinator/Catching Instructor, FREDI GONZÁLEZ as Bench Coach, JOSÉ HERNÁNDEZ as Major League Coach, DARREN HOLMES as Assistant Pitching Coach, CHRIS HOLT as Pitching Coach/Director of Pitching, TONY MANSOLINO as Third Base Coach, and ANTHONY SANDERS as First Base Coach. 

Asche (ASH-ee), 32, has been promoted to the Major League staff after serving as Upper-Level Hitting Coordinator in 2022, his first season in the Orioles organization. He began his professional coaching career in 2021 as the hitting coach for the Clearwater Threshers, the Low-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. Asche’s Major League playing career spanned parts of five seasons with the Phillies (2013-16) and Chicago White Sox (2017). He was originally selected by the Phillies in the fourth round of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft. A native of St. Charles, Mo., Asche attended the University of Nebraska and Fort Zumwalt West High School in O’Fallon, Mo.

BRANDON HYDE enters his fifth season as Manager after being named to the post prior to the 2019 campaign. In 2022, he led the Orioles to an 83-79 record, their first winning season since 2016 (89-73). He was voted the Sporting News AL Manager of the Year by fellow American League managers and has been named a finalist for the Baseball Writers’ Association of America AL Manager of the Year award.

Borgschulte and Fuller return for their second seasons as Co-Hitting Coaches and second and fourth seasons in the organization, respectively. Cossins returns for his fifth season as Major League Field Coordinator/Catching Instructor and his 22^nd as a professional manager, coach, or Major League bullpen catcher. González enters his fourth season with the Orioles organization, fourth as Bench Coach, and 34^th as a professional coach or manager, 10 of which were as a Major League manager. Hernández enters his fifth season on the Major League staff and 14^th as a coach in the Orioles organization. Holmes enters his fourth season with the Orioles and third as Assistant Pitching Coach after being promoted to the position following the 2020 season, while Holt enters his third season as the Orioles Pitching Coach/Director of Pitching and fifth in the organization. Mansolino enters his third season as the club’s Third Base Coach and Sanders enters his fourth season as First Base Coach.

The Orioles have made the following roster moves:

• Agreed to terms with OF Jake Cave on a one-year contract for the 2023 season.
• RHP Chris Ellis has elected free agency in lieu of accepting an outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk.
• C Aramis Garcia has elected free agency in lieu of accepting an outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk.

Washington Nationals Philanthropies, the official charitable arm of the Washington Nationals, today announced plans to honor Ryan Zimmerman with the Power of Baseball Award, presented by The Annette M. and Theodore N. Lerner Family Foundation, at its annual fundraising gala in March. The first-ever player drafted by the Nationals, Zimmerman went on to play 17 seasons with the organization – including an historic World Series championship run – before retiring earlier this year. 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, which annually recognizes an individual, corporation, organization or local group that embodies the positive character and level of achievement exemplified throughout the game of baseball.

“From the beginning, Ryan has represented the level of excellence and commitment to community that reflect the core values of the Washington Nationals organization,” said Marla Lerner Tanenbaum, founding chair and board member of Washington Nationals Philanthropies and president of The Annette M. and Theodore N. Lerner Family Foundation. “Through installations like the first local Legacy Field to carry the name of a Nationals player and his impressive commitment to supporting families affected by Multiple Sclerosis through his foundation, the Zimmerman name will forever be connected with the positive impact he’s had on this city.” 

In 2006, Zimmerman established ziMS Foundation to raise money and awareness for programs benefiting those afflicted with Multiple Sclerosis, a disease that has affected his family personally. Serving as the foundation’s president, Zimmerman is actively involved in decision-making and donates his time, money and image to promoting the foundation. ziMS Foundation has raised more than $4 million for organizations dedicated to the fight against MS.

Zimmerman is the largest individual donor to Nationals Philanthropies over the past decade and has been a consistent supporter of the 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. 

“When it came time to select the next honoree for the Power of Baseball Award, Ryan was a no-doubter,” said Tal Alter, CEO of Nationals Philanthropies. “His notable generosity is matched only by his authenticity and devotion to the causes he supports. We look forward to joining with supporters and fans next spring to honor the philanthropic impact and legacy of ‘Mr. National’.”

When Rawlings announced the finalists for the annual Gold Glove Awards last week, a lot was made about Juan Soto’s inclusion in right field. His advanced metrics showed he was actually one of the worst defensive right fields in all of baseball this year.

Not a lot of attention was given to Victor Robles, however, since his inclusion in center field made more sense. Despite more struggles at the plate this year, the 25-year-old outfielder returned to a high level of defense in center.

But Robles was denied his first Gold Glove in his second time as a finalist for center field in the National League, losing to the Padres’ Trent Grisham last night.

Let’s compare the center fielders.

Robles’ 12 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) led all NL center fielders and ranked behind only the Royals’ Michael A. Taylor and the Guardians’ Myles Straw among all major league center fielders. He also had a 4.8 Ultimate Zone Rating (UZR), 1.8 arm rating, five outs above average, six runs above average and a 4.1 defensive rating, per FanGraphs. Robles recorded an NL-high seven outfield assists, while also having an NL-high six errors. In 971 ⅔ innings in center field, Robles had 340 putouts with a .983 fielding percentage.

The Orioles have made the following roster moves:

• Outrighted C Aramis Garcia to Triple-A Norfolk.
• Reinstated RHP Chris Ellis from the 60-day Injured List and outrighted him to Triple-A Norfolk.

The 40-man roster is at 39 players.

The Orioles have made the following roster moves:

• Claimed OF Jake Cave off waivers from the Minnesota Twins.
• Designated RHP Jake Reed for assignment.

The Orioles have made the following roster moves:

• Selected the contract of C Anthony Bemboom from Triple-A Norfolk.
• Designated RHP Anthony Castro for assignment.

The Orioles have made the following roster move:

• Added LHP Nick Vespi from Triple-A Norfolk to serve as the 29^th man for today’s doubleheader.

The Orioles have just three games and one series remaining in the 2022 season. Tonight at cloudy and chilly Camden Yards, they host Toronto to start a season-ending three-game series.

The Orioles (82-77) bring a bit of momentum home with them after taking two of three at Yankee Stadium over the weekend. They won 3-1 Sunday, and win No. 82 clinched their first winning record since 2016.

The O's went 3-4 on the final road trip to Boston and New York and ended the year going 38-43 (.469) in road games. That is their best road record since going 39-42 (.481) in 2016.

The Orioles are 44-34 (.564) at home, tied for the sixth-best home winning percentage in the American League and 11th-best in the majors. This marks their most wins and best winning percentage at home since they went 46-35 (.568) in 2017.

The Orioles scored just five runs in the series at New York, and were shut out on Saturday. They have scored just nine runs their last five games, going 2-for-36 with runners in scoring position in that span. They have scored three or fewer in 16 of the last 27 games, going 4-12 in those contests.

The Orioles have made the following roster moves:

• Recalled RHP Yennier Cano from Triple-A Norfolk.
• Placed RHP Félix Bautista on the 15-day Injured List with left knee discomfort, retroactive to October 1.