Orioles claim Severino off waivers (game ends in tie)

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Pedro Severino, once touted by the Nationals as their potential long-term answer behind the plate, is now an Oriole.

Baltimore claimed the 25-year-old catcher off waivers today, ending his long tenure with the Washington organization that signed him out of the Dominican Republic when he was 17.

The move was not unexpected, because Severino faced almost no chance of staying with the Nationals. The additions of veterans Yan Gomes and Kurt Suzuki over the winter solidified the club's catching at the big league level, and Spencer Kieboom established himself as the top replacement choice from within the system last season.

And because he was out of options, Severino knew he either had to make the opening day roster or be exposed to waivers before the end of spring training. Thus, the Orioles (who could afford to use a 25-man roster spot on him) claimed him today.

The Nationals front office long had high hopes for Severino. When Wilson Ramos tore his ACL one week before the 2016 playoffs, Severino was chosen to start Game 1 of the National League Division Series over veteran backup Jose Lobaton. And when Matt Wieters suffered a major hamstring injury last May, Severino was given his first opportunity to play regularly in the big leagues.

He didn't make the most of the opportunity. In 70 games last season, Severino hit a paltry .168 with a .501 OPS. When Wieters returned to the active roster in July, the Nationals elected to keep career minor leaguer Kieboom as their No. 2 catcher, optioning Severino to Triple-A.

Update: The ball has been flying today here in West Palm Beach. Anthony Rendon and Matt Adams hit back-to-back homers in the bottom of the third, this coming one inning after Victor Robles launched a two-run double off the left field wall to give the Nats a 4-3 lead. The Cards got to Stephen Strasburg early, with Miles Mikolas (yes, the pitcher) driving a two-seamer that appeared to hang over the plate deep to left for a two-run homer. But Strasburg has also been sharp, with eight strikeouts through five innings.

Update II: Strasburg almost got through the sixth, but a couple of infield singles got another run home and brought an end to his afternoon. He went 5 2/3 innings, throwing 97 pitches (same as Max Scherzer last night) and striking out nine without walking anybody. Meanwhile, Austen Williams quietly continues to dominate out of the bullpen. With 1 1/3 scoreless innings today in relief of Strasburg, the right-hander has now retired 22 of 24 batters faced this spring.

Update III: The game ended in a 4-4 tie.