SARASOTA, Fla. – Robinson Chirinos is staying in the Orioles organization in a new role.

The team announced today that Chirinos will serve as special assistant for baseball operations and player development.

According to the job description, Chirinos will “support players, coaches and staff across our lower levels, providing leadership, mentorship and reinforcement of organizational philosophies.”

This is the third position that Chirinos has filled with the Orioles. He was the starting catcher in 2022 before moving into the backup role with Adley Rutschman’s promotion to the majors on May 21. He served as bench coach last season for manager Brandon Hyde and interim manager Tony Mansolino.

The Orioles didn’t keep Chirinos on the staff, hiring Donnie Ecker as bench coach in November, but he remained under contract for 2026.

The transition for Chirinos will be delayed. He’s serving as bench coach for Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic.

Kyle Bradish and Tyler Wells got their two ups in today’s live batting practice session on the stadium field.

The challenge system was a big part of it.

Bradish got called third strikes on Colton Cowser, Tyler O’Neill and Pete Alonso in his first “inning,” all of them disputed. The pitch to O’Neill was ruled a ball and reversed.

Heston Kjerstad stayed hot with two singles off Bradish, including a scorching line drive into right field. Taylor Ward drove a pitch to the base of the center field fence and Gunnar Henderson lined a ball up the middle and much too close to Bradish’s head.

Alonso and Samuel Basallo struck out.

Wells walked Ryan Mountcastle and O’Neill in his first inning and Dylan Beavers hit a ball to the left field fence. Maverick Handley grounded out and Cowser popped up.

Mountcastle dumped a broken-bat single into center field in his next turn against Wells, and O’Neill ripped a single into center field.

None of it counts, but it’s baseball.

Yennier Cano had another impressive appearance, throwing strikes and making his slider look like a weapon.

Handley’s highlight was a sliding catch in foul territory.

Wells is making his second return from an elbow reconstructive surgery. He was soaked in sweat as he returned to his locker.

“Honestly, right now I feel really good. This is the best I’ve felt in a really long time,” he said.

“I think that right now with live BPs, the goal is to go out there, work on certain things. Today it was all about just executing pitches, really trying to stay aggressive in the zone with the guys. I think that we’ve accomplished that in both live BPs that I’ve had down here. So overall just really happy with where I’m at.”

Wells doesn’t know whether he’ll be in the rotation or bullpen on Opening Day.

“Everything’s kind of on the fly right now is the best way I can put it,” he said. “I haven’t had much communication about it. It’s out of my control at this point. I’m really just trying to do whatever I can to prepare myself to help this team win a World Series.

“Plain and simple, I think the big thing for me right now is to continue to focus on that. Know that collectively a lot of us in here have the same mindset. Now it’s just a matter of really executing that plan.”

*Cal Ripken Jr. watched live BP from the stands and later went down to the field to talk to some coaches and players in front of the dugout.

*Orioles Hall of Famer Adam Jones will begin serving as a guest coach Wednesday morning.

*MASN will now broadcast the March 13 against the Phillies at 1 p.m. in Clearwater instead of the March 9 game against the Cardinals in Jupiter.