Ricky Nolasco hurls second shutout in three starts - MLB

For the second time in two weeks, Marlins right-hander Ricky Nolasco has pitched a shutout against the Nationals. He hurled a four-hitter Sunday in Miami’s 8-0 victory.

Nolasco also shut out the Nationals on Aug. 28. He had just two shutouts in 173 career starts before doubling that total in his last three outings.

It’s likely that Nolasco could have been had by anyone wanting to take his salary last month. Prior to the Aug. 28 shutout, he was in the midst of another frustrating year, having gone 9-12 with a 5.07 ERA. Given that he’s due $11.5 million next year in the final season of his contract, the Marlins likely would have been happy to move him. It didn’t happen then, but it might this winter, especially if a continued strong finish helps facilitate such a move.

Still, it’s not hard to see why there wasn’t any interest last month. Nolasco used to look like an underachiever with his excellent strikeout rate and middling to poor ERAs. With his velocity and strikeout rate both down the last two years, now he just looks below average. At least, when he’s not facing the Nationals.

BALTIMORE — The Baltimore Orioles signed outfielder Aaron Hicks less than 24 hours after Cedric Mullins went down with a strained right groin.

Mullins went on the 10-day injured list, but the Orioles are hoping Hicks can help defensively in the spacious outfield at Camden Yards. Hicks was released last week by the New York Yankees with more than 2 1/2 seasons left on his contract.

“We had noticed that he was a free agent even before the injury,” Orioles general manager Mike Elias said. “When the injury occurred and it became pretty clear this was going to be an IL, it seemed like a good fit even more so at that time.”

The Orioles are responsible for paying Hicks just $483,871, a prorated share of the $720,000 minimum salary. The Yankees owe him the rest of his $10.5 million salary this year, plus $9.5 million in each of the next two seasons and a $1 million buyout of a 2026 team option.

The 33-year-old Hicks hit just .188 in 28 games for the Yankees this year.

“We have stuff that we look at from a scouting and evaluation perspective,” Elias said. “It’s very different from just looking at the back of a baseball card, and we hope that we get a bounceback from anyone we bring here.”

Hicks batted .216 last season.

“Hopefully that’s a good thing for him,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said of the Baltimore deal. “A lot of time here and a lot of good things happened for him here. I know the last couple of years have been a struggle. But hopefully it’s a good opportunity for him and certainly wish him well. Not too well being in our division and a team we’re chasing, but hopefully it’s a really good fit for him.”

Mullins left a loss to Cleveland after he pulled up while running out an infield grounder. Outfielder Colton Cowser – the fifth pick in the draft two years ago – is hitting .331 at Triple-A Norfolk, but he went on the IL in the past couple weeks.

“Certainly he was building a case towards promotion consideration prior to his injury and prior to Cedric’s injury,” Elias said. “We’ll just see where we’re at.”

Hicks was active for the game but not in the starting lineup. Austin Hays, normally Baltimore’s left field, was in Mullins’ usual spot in center.

When the wall in left at Camden Yards was pushed significantly back before last season, it made left field a bigger challenge defensively.

“In this park … you really need two center fielders,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “Aaron’s got a lot of center-field experience. Played left field here before also. Brings the defensive aspect and then the switch-hitting.”