CHICAGO – It hasn’t been an especially uplifting road trip for the Nationals. They’ve lost all five games they’ve played so far against the Mets and Cubs. They lost Luis García Jr. and Jacob Young to injuries. They’ve scored a grand total of nine runs, and six of those came in Thursday night’s loss here.

But it’s a new day, so maybe today is the day things click again for the boys and they combine good pitching, hitting and defense and emerge victorious. They’ll look for a good start out of MacKenzie Gore, who has been excellent. Over his last five starts, the left-hander sports a 1.95 ERA and 1.048 WHIP with 27 strikeouts in 28 2/3 innings. (There was one dud in there against the Braves, but despite giving up seven runs he was only charged with two earned runs in that one, so the ERA wasn’t destroyed.)

More than anything, the Nats need to hit and they need to score runs. They’re facing a wily veteran today in Kyle Hendricks, who is 4-11 with a 6.25 ERA over 118 innings this season. But it should be noted the right-hander has been much better recently, with a 2.93 ERA over his last three starts.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS at CHICAGO CUBS
Where: Wrigley Field
Gametime: 2:20 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN2, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, 88.7 FM (Spanish), MLB.com
Weather: Sunny, 84 degrees, wind 9 mph right field to left field

NATIONALS
CF Dylan Crews
LF James Wood
DH Luis García Jr. 
1B Juan Yepez
2B José Tena
C Keibert Ruiz
RF Joey Gallo
3B Ildemaro Vargas
SS Nasim Nuñez

The return of another injured player to the Orioles’ roster is costing Coby Mayo his spot.

The organization’s No. 1 prospect and Minor League Player of the Year will be optioned later today, according to an industry source. The Orioles haven’t announced the move.

Infielder Ramón Urías appeared in his second rehab game last night with Triple-A Norfolk and could be rejoining the club.

Mayo has played in 17 games with the Orioles and gone 4-for-41 with four walks and 22 strikeouts. He started at first base last night and lined a single into center field in the fourth inning before James McCann homered in a 7-1 win over the Tigers. He shattered his bat earlier on a ground ball to short.

Steady starts have eluded Mayo at the major league level despite injuries to Urías, Jordan Westburg and Ryan Mountcastle. He cracked the lineup only six times this month.  

The 2024 Most Valuable Oriole will be announced this morning and we’ll find out whether shortstop Gunnar Henderson is a repeat winner.

No player has received the honor in back-to-back seasons since center fielder Adam Jones in 2011-12. Jones also won in 2018.

Shortstop Miguel Tejada came close by winning it in 2004 and 2006. Second baseman Brian Roberts prevented three in a row.

First baseman Rafael Palmeiro finished first in 1995, 1996 and 1998, with closer Randy Myers winning in ’97.

Hall of Famer Eddie Murray had a tremendous run, winning it in 1978, ’81, ’82, ’83 (with Cal Ripken Jr.), ’84, ’85 and ’88 (also with Ripken). Outfielder Ken Singleton earned the award three times in a six-year period beginning in 1975, and Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson did the same beginning in 1960.

They are a trio of players who took part in Orioles batting practice before Friday’s game. They all hope they will have another chance to do that here later in their careers and that they will be on the Orioles' active roster when that happens. 

But Friday afternoon under the Baltimore sun, the O’s first three selections in the 2024 MLB Draft took part in some pregame work.

That includes top draft pick, No. 22 overall, University of North Carolina outfielder Vance Honeycutt. Also the O’s second selection, University of Virginia infielder Griff O’Ferrall, taken No. 32 overall and catcher Ethan Anderson, Baltimore’s second-round pick, No. 61 overall, also out of UVA.

Honeycutt was asked about hitting during batting practice.

“It was cool,” he said. “Definitely nervous for the first round. But just taking this all in.”

CHICAGO – The Nationals’ primary focus during these final weeks of the season surely is on the bevy of young players they’ve added to the roster this summer, many of whom they believe will form the core of their next winning ballclub.

That doesn’t mean there aren’t still some opportunities for veterans to help their own causes here down the stretch. Which is why Trevor Williams was on the mound at Wrigley Field this afternoon.

Williams is not part of the Nats’ long-term plan. The 32-year-old right-hander spent the last 3 1/2 months on the injured list with a flexor strain in his elbow. He’s a pending free agent. But he worked his way back from the injury before season’s end, and the Nationals decided it was worth it to give him two big league starts, both to help him as he enters free agency and to give their other young pitchers some extra rest near the end of a long season.

Williams rewarded the Nats for giving him this opportunity, tossing five innings of one-run ball in his return to competition. They would end up losing to the Cubs, 3-1, but it certainly wasn’t their starter’s fault.

"It was awesome to see him pitch the way he did," manager Davey Martinez said. "He threw the ball really well. It almost looked like he didn't skip a beat, which was great."

CHICAGO – Though he’s out of the lineup this afternoon, Jacob Young sounded reasonably sure his left shoulder injury won’t prevent him from returning to play for the Nationals soon.

Young, who jammed the shoulder sliding into second base on a stolen base attempt during Thursday night’s 7-6 loss to the Cubs, said he’s still sore, but “it’s nothing crazy.”

“Just diving in the outfield, diving into bases throughout travel ball all the way up to pro ball, stuff like that happens where your shoulder gets put into maybe an uncomfortable position,” he said. “It’s not your throwing shoulder, so it doesn’t affect that at all. You kind of know what it’s going to be like in the morning. It’s going to be sore, maybe not feel great. Then you just give it some time, let the doctors do what they do and get it back to feeling good.”

The Nationals are still waiting for MRI results on Young’s shoulder, so manager Davey Martinez isn’t making any proclamations yet about his status for the rest of this weekend series or next week’s final six games of the season.

For now, Young is sitting this afternoon’s game, with Dylan Crews taking over in center field and Joey Gallo starting in right field.

CHICAGO – When last we saw Trevor Williams on a big league mound, he was tossing 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball to beat the Braves and improve to 5-0 with a 2.22 ERA and 1.076 WHIP. It was May 30, and the veteran right-hander looked like one of the best comeback stories of the season.

And then Williams reported a sore elbow and landed on the injured list. Nearly four months later, he’s finally returning to the mound this afternoon, activated off the IL and ready to make two final starts to a season that was severely interrupted.

What can we reasonably expect from Williams today against the Cubs? Who knows? He’ll almost certainly be limited to five innings and 80 pitches, give or take. If he can recapture his early season form, he’ll keep the ball down in the zone, induce weak contact and put the Nats in position to win. Whether he can do all that remains to be seen.

The Nationals would love to supply Williams with the kind of run support they supplied Patrick Corbin on Thursday night (even if it came in a 7-6 loss). They’ll face right-hander Jameson Taillon, who did not pitch when the two teams met in D.C. last month but has enjoyed a solid season (10-8, 3.54 ERA, 1.162 WHIP in 26 starts) and has strung together three straight quality starts entering this one.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS at CHICAGO CUBS
Where: Wrigley Field
Gametime: 2:20 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, 88.7 FM (Spanish), MLB.com
Weather: Partly cloudy, 83 degrees, wind 9 mph out to right field

The Washington Nationals returned from rehab assignment and reinstated right-handed pitcher Trevor Williams from the 60-day Injured List and optioned right-handed pitcher Zach Brzykcy to Triple-A Rochester on Friday. Additionally, the Nationals transferred right-handed pitcher Joan Adon to the 60-day Injured List. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcements.

Williams, 32, went 5-0 with a 2.22 ERA in 11 starts prior to being placed on the Injured List with a right flexor muscle strain on June 4. He struck out 47 batters, walked 16 and allowed just two home runs in 56.2 innings as the Nationals went 9-2 in his 11 starts prior to the injury. Williams allowed two earned runs or fewer in nine starts and pitched to 1.80 ERA (6 ER/30.0 IP) in his last six starts.

Williams made two rehab starts with Double-A Harrisburg. He tossed 7.1 innings across two starts on Sept. 10 and Sept. 15.

In two seasons with the Nationals, Williams is 11-10 with a 4.61 ERA in 41 starts. He is in his ninth professional season and is 49-54 with a 4.34 ERA in 200 career games (159 starts).

Brzykcy, 25, appeared in six games out of Washington’s bullpen. He made his Major League debut on Sept. 1 vs. Chicago (NL).

The Orioles today announced the winners of their player development and scouting awards for 2024, including infielder COBY MAYO as the club’s top minor league player and right-handed pitcher BRANDON YOUNG as the club’s top minor league pitcher. Latin America Coordinator of Instruction SAMUEL VEGA and Area Scout DONOVAN O’DOWD will also be honored for their contributions to the organization. The award winners will be recognized in an on-field ceremony prior to the game against the Detroit Tigers on Friday, with awards presented by Orioles Vice President of Player Development and Domestic Scouting, Matt blood, Orioles Director of Player Development, Anthony Villa, Orioles Director of Minor League Operations, Kent Qualls, and Orioles Manager of Domestic Scouting, Chad Tatum.

Mayo, 22, slashed .293/.369/.574 (99-for-338) with 23 doubles, three triples, 22 homers, 61 runs scored, 67 RBI, 39 walks, and four stolen bases in 87 regular season games at Triple-A Norfolk. His contract was selected on August 2, and he made his Major League debut that day at Cleveland. Mayo was later optioned on August 15, before being recalled again on September 1, for his second MLB stint. His 22 home runs with the Tides rank seventh in the International League, despite stints on the Injured List and the Orioles’ Major League roster. Mayo’s 25 homers in the Minors this year are the most by an MLB Top 100 prospect this season and his .943 OPS and .574 slugging percentage would pace all qualified hitters in the International League. Mayo was named the O’s Minor League Player of the Month in April after slashing .330/.400/.652 (38-for-115) with six doubles, two triples, nine home runs, 21 runs scored, 25 RBI, and 12 walks across 28 games. Mayo was ranked as the sixth-best overall MLB prospect in ESPN’s midseason rankings and is currently ranked the eighth-best prospect by Baseball America and MLB Pipeline. He is also currently ranked as the top Orioles prospect by Baseball America, ESPN, and MLB Pipeline. Mayo was drafted 103^rd overall by the Orioles in the fourth round of the 2020 First-Year Player Draft.

Young, 26, has posted a 5-5 record with a 3.48 ERA (41 ER/106.0 IP), allowing 96 hits, 46 total runs, eight home runs, two hit batters, 34 walks, and 129 strikeouts in 26 games (23 starts) through September 16, between Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk. Young was promoted on May 28, after going 0-2 and producing a 4.09 ERA (10 ER/22.0 IP) on 21 hits (1 HR), 10 total runs, and four walks with 36 strikeouts in seven games (6 GS) for the Baysox. He has gone 5-3 with a 3.32 ERA (31 ER/84.0 IP) on 75 hits allowed (7 HR), 36 total runs, 30 walks, and two hit batters with 93 strikeouts in 19 games (17 GS) for the Tides. He ranks among Orioles organizational leaders in strikeouts (3^rd), games started (4^th), and innings pitched (7^th). Among Orioles minor leaguers with at least 90.0 innings pitched, he ranks third in strikeout-to-walk ratio (21.6), fourth in WHIP (1.23), sixth in ERA, and sixth in strikeouts per nine innings pitched (10.95). Young was originally signed as a non-drafted free agent by the Orioles on June 14, 2020, out of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He is currently ranked as the No. 19 O’s prospect by MLB Pipeline and No. 24 Orioles prospect by Baseball America.

Vega has been named the winner of the Cal Ripken, Sr. Player Development Award, in honor of the late Orioles coach and manager who is widely regarded as the architect of “The Oriole Way.” Each year, a minor league staff member who exemplifies Ripken’s qualities as an instructor is recognized with the award. Vega was named the Orioles Latin America Field Coordinator in 2022, overseeing the development of the club’s international prospects. Vega has played an instrumental role in getting the O's brand-new state-of-the-art Dominican Republic training facility up and running, creating a culture of hard work and accountability among the international players. Under Vega's instruction, several of the Orioles Dominican Summer League players earned league-wide accolades, including outfielder JORDAN SANCHEZ who was named MiLB’s Player of the Week for the week of June 17 to 23, being named the Orioles MiLB Player of the Month for June, and being named a DSL All-Star. In July, right-handed pitcher KEVIN VELASCO was named the Orioles’ MiLB Pitcher of the Month, and right-handed pitcher ADRIAN HEREDIA was named the MiLB Pitcher of the Week for the week of August 5 to 11. The Orioles currently have 12 international prospects in their top 30, according to MLB Pipeline, the most since Orioles Executive Vice President and General Manager Mike Elias, joined the organization in 2019 and a testament to the work Vega and his team are doing in the DR. This year, the DSL Orioles Orange clinched a playoff berth for the first time under Mike Elias in the inaugural season of the new Dominican Republic Academy.

O’Dowd was named the Jim Russo Scout of the Year, named in honor of the man who spent 33 years in various scouting capacities with the Orioles beginning with their move from St. Louis in 1954. O’Dowd has been in the organization since 2019, proving to be a key member of the Orioles’ scouting operations as he patrols the country’s Northeast area, which ranges from Virginia to Maine. Since joining the organization, he has provided valuable insight in a way that is respected, taking the initiative to learn and implement the organization’s scouting philosophies in his process. Some of his recent signees include two of the Orioles top three draft picks this year, GRIFF O’FERRALL (Virginia), and ETHAN ANDERSON (Virginia), as well as undrafted free agents TREY GIBSON (Liberty) and TT BOWENS (Central Connecticut State).

CHICAGO – They got a rare, clutch homer from Joey Gallo off a left-hander. They got plenty of offense from CJ Abrams and James Wood. Shoot, they even got three hits from Darren Baker.

So how did the Nationals still end up losing tonight’s series opener at Wrigley Field? Because Patrick Corbin endured through another subpar start, and the bullpen couldn’t stop the bleeding after that, with Robert Garcia ultimately the pitcher of record in a 7-6 loss to the Cubs that also saw Jacob Young depart with an apparent shoulder injury.

A much-needed big night at the plate from a lineup that struggled mightily this week against the Mets still wasn’t enough for the Nats, who have now dropped four in a row to begin their final road trip of the season.

Unlike their just-completed sweep at Citi Field, they produced more than enough offense tonight to win. But just like the last two nights, they gave up a boatload of runs, now 17 allowed in their last 24 innings.

"That was tough," Gallo said. "I thought we did a good job of battling. We took the lead, they took the lead, we took the lead back. It's just how baseball goes. It was a great game, but unfortunately we came out on the losing end."

CHICAGO – Luis García Jr. is still dealing with a sore right wrist, so that means Darren Baker gets to start his first major league game tonight, in a ballpark very familiar to the rookie infielder.

Baker will start at second base for the Nationals in their series opener against the Cubs, the first time he’s had a chance to be in the lineup since making his big league debut earlier this month. That it happens to be taking place at Wrigley Field, where two decades ago his father managed for four seasons, was coincidence and fortuitous timing. But it nevertheless makes for a nice moment for the 25-year-old.

“It just kind of happened,” manager Davey Martinez said. “After last night, with Luis still sore, I said Darren’s going to play second today. I wanted to give him an opportunity. And if Luis doesn’t get better, I might (continue to) let him play second against righties.”

García has dealt with a sore wrist at multiple points during the season, and it got worse when he took a swing in the third inning of Tuesday night’s game against the Mets. He departed an inning later and sat out Wednesday’s game as well.

The Nationals were hopeful García would be ready to return tonight, but Martinez described the condition of his wrist as “the same” as it has been. At this late stage of the season, they won’t take any chances.

CHICAGO – Hello from The Friendly Confines, where it’s unseasonably warm for this time of year. The temperature reached the high 80s this afternoon, which is not the way it’s supposed to be in late September in Chicago. The wind will be blowing out to left field, though, so perhaps the Nationals can take advantage and actually hit the ball in the air for some power.

The lineup is missing Luis García Jr. for the second straight day, the second baseman still bothered by a sore right wrist. Getting the start in his place, though, is a new face: Darren Baker. Yes, the kid is in the lineup for the first time in the big leagues, and he’ll be playing in one of the ballparks he grew up in while his dad was managing the Cubs. That’s got to be a thrill for both him and Dusty.

The Nationals are facing right-hander Javier Assad, who they saw a few weeks ago in D.C. Assad tossed a quality start in that Aug. 31 game, allowing three runs over six innings. Andrés Chaparro got to him for a solo homer along the way.

It’s Patrick Corbin on the mound for the Nats in what looks to be his penultimate start for the franchise. With the team going to a six-man rotation the rest of the way with Trevor Williams coming off the injured list, Corbin is tentatively lined up to make his final start one week from today against the Royals. He’ll look to keep the Cubs within the confines tonight and give his teammates a chance.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS at CHICAGO CUBS
Where: Wrigley Field
Gametime: 7:40 p.m. EDT
TV: MASN, MLB.tv
Radio: 106.7 FM, 88.7 FM (Spanish), MLB.com
Weather: Partly cloudy, 79 degrees, wind 9 mph right field to left field

The Orioles’ penultimate home series concludes this afternoon with Heston Kjerstad in right field and Jackson Holliday getting back-to-back starts at second base.

Coby Mayo is on the bench.

Zach Eflin is making his eighth start with the Orioles. He’s posted a 2.22 ERA and 1.030 WHIP in 44 2/3 innings.

Eflin has faced the Giants eight times (six starts) and registered a 4.79 ERA and 1.402 WHIP in 35 2/3 innings.

The Orioles trail the Yankees by five games in the division and still lead the Royals by 2 1/2 for the first wild card.

35,000 FEET OVER AMERICA – I always get a kick out of using this dateline.

As you read this, I am (I hope) en route from New York to Chicago for the final road series of the season. The Nationals just got swept in ugly fashion by the Mets. Now they've got a four-game weekend series at Wrigley Field against a Cubs team that's technically still in the race but would need a miracle to make up a seven-game deficit with only 10 games to play. So perhaps that plays to the Nats' advantage.

There will be plenty to discuss when the season ends next week, but let's go ahead and take the opportunity this morning to start addressing some of those pertinent Hot Stove topics. Where do the Nationals look to be in good shape heading into 2025? Where do they need to improve? What are the chances they will be able to adequately improve and actually become a contender again?

Submit your questions in the comments section below, then check back throughout the morning for my answers. Fingers crossed the WiFi works and I'm able to crank out my responses while we're in the air. If for some reason you don't see anything from me by, say, 10:30 a.m. EDT, there unfortunately was a problem. Apologies in advance if that happens!

Dean Kremer’s first pitch of tonight’s game sailed 397 feet to right field for a leadoff home run. Gunnar Henderson began the bottom of the first inning by flying out and slamming his bat to the ground in anger.

Immediate signs of an Orioles’ turnaround weren’t detected. They’d flicker over the course of the night and burn out.

A lead in the third inning and subsequent rallies provided false hope. Walk-up music reverted back to the original playlist, but the Orioles maintained their post-break ways with a 5-3 loss to the Giants before an announced crowd of 23,856 at Camden Yards.

Kremer allowed four earned runs and five total in six innings, the victim of some tough luck, and the Orioles fell to 84-68 with their fifth loss in six games, eighth in 10 and ninth in 12. They’ve gone 26-30 in the second half but maintain a 2 1/2 game lead for the first wild card.

The Orioles are only 16 games above .500 for the first time since May 31. They're 19-26 against the National League.

NEW YORK – If the Mets make the postseason – and it’s increasingly looking like they will – the Nationals will have played a significant supporting role in making it happen.

Teams may not play as many intradivision games as they used to, but they still face each other 13 times a year. And the outcomes of those games can go a long way toward determining a pennant race.

They certainly have in the case of the National League Wild Card race between the Mets and Braves. Because the Nats’ head-to-head results against those two combatants turned out to be wildly different.

Tonight’s 10-0 shellacking at Citi Field completed a season-long thumping at the hands of the Mets. The Nationals finished a dismal 2-11 against them, including 0-6 on the road. Compare that with their impressive 8-5 mark against Atlanta, and you quickly understand how New York has opened up a two-game lead for that final postseason berth with 10 games to go.

"We talk all the time about playing in our division," manager Davey Martinez said. "We've played some teams really well in our division. Some teams, we haven't. The teams that we don't play good against, we have to get better against them."

Having fallen four games out in the American League East race with 11 games left, the Orioles host San Francisco tonight in Game 2 of a three-game series at Oriole Park.

The Orioles (84-67) were held to five hits and blanked 10-0 last night. They have been shut out twice in the last four games, three times in the last eight and eight times on the season.

They have scored six runs the past four games and just 21 over the last 11 games, going 3-8. In that span, they are batting .189 with a .577 OPS and are 9-for-64 (.141) with runners in scoring position. Baltimore batters have scored two runs or less seven times in this span.

The Orioles are now 17 games over the .500 mark, the fewest they have been over .500 since June 6.

The O's have lost four of five, seven of nine, eight of 11 and are 26-29 since the All-Star break, 19-23 since Aug. 1 and 31-36 since July 1.

NEW YORK – Trevor Williams is set to return from the injured list and start Friday in Chicago, which sets up the Nationals to finish out the season with a six-man rotation.

Williams has cleared all hurdles in his rehab from a flexor strain in his elbow and will be activated off the 60-day IL this weekend, making his return to the mound Friday afternoon against the Cubs.

“He says he feels good,” manager Davey Martinez said. “He’ll get a chance to start, and we’ll get a chance to push these guys back a little bit.”

Williams hasn’t pitched since May 30, after which he reported elbow pain and the flexor strain was diagnosed. It took 3 1/2 months, but the right-hander made it through the entire rehab process in time to pitch again, even if he’ll only make two big league starts before season’s end.

Given how well he pitched prior to the injury – 5-0 with a 2.22 ERA and 1.076 WHIP in 11 starts – Williams earned the opportunity to come back and make these final starts, even if he doesn’t figure into the Nationals’ long-term plans. A pending free agent, the 32-year-old will get the chance to prove he’s healthy heading into the offseason.

Craig Kimbel’s old locker is empty except for a row of hangers. His belongings are gone.

The former closer has left the building.

The Orioles designated Kimbrel for assignment earlier today and recalled reliever Bryan Baker. They made the move after he was charged last night with a career-high six runs in two-thirds of an inning, the last straw with his chances for inclusion on the playoff roster dissolved a while ago.

“Tough day,” said manager Brandon Hyde. “We have so much respect for Craig and his career and what he’s done for the game, how long he’s pitched, how long he’s pitched well. So it’s never easy to say goodbye to somebody who’s done a lot.”

Kimbrel, 36, was an All-Star snub after posting a 2.80 ERA and 0.962 WHIP in 39 appearances, but he had a 10.59 ERA and 2.177 WHIP in 18 games since the break and never responded to a second reset.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde described it as a “tough day” as the team designated for assignment closer Craig Kimbrel. Hyde called him a “great teammate and class act.”

When I asked ace right-hander Corbin Burnes about Kimbrel, he said similar things. He may have been a poor pitcher for the team in the second half but his teammates sure seemed to support and have respect for him. And Burnes said even as Kimbrel’s season was spiraling downward he was in the clubhouse helping other players.

But in the end, performance matters most. And he went from an ERA of 2.80 in the first half to a pitcher that in 18 second-half games was 1-3 with a 10.59 ERA and 2.177 WHIP.

“Obviously it’s tough,” said Burnes. “You never want to see a guy get designated. A guy that has been here all year and given a lot to this team. And been a leader in the clubhouse, been a leader in the bullpen. You never want to see that happen. You understand why it happens, how baseball and how the business goes.

“I wish him the best. He’s had a Hall of Fame career, if this is it. If he comes back to play, I don’t know. I haven’t talked to Craig much about that. But he’s going to be a Hall of Famer.”