BRADENTON, Fla. – Trevor Rogers is starting today for the first time since the Orioles announced that he’d be on the mound for Opening Day on March 26 against the Twins at Camden Yards.

“There was a lot that went into it,” manager Craig Albernaz said this morning. “We had a lot of guys who can start on Opening Day and ultimately we landed on Trevor Rogers.

“One, he deserves it after last year, the performance, the work he’s put in this offseason coming in. But it also sets up the rest of the guys, too, in the rotation, so there’s that component, as well, as like the cascading effect. But yeah, we couldn’t be happier to give the ball to Trevor for Opening Day and see what he can do.

“It’s a big honor for those guys, but also on the flip side, there’s more games after that, so we want to make sure that the rest of the rotation is lined up for that, as well.”

Albernaz and pitching coach Drew French informed Rogers of the decision yesterday before the Orioles headed to Clearwater to play the Phillies.

“It was awesome,” Albernaz said. “It looked like it caught him off guard. Kind of ironically, him and Frenchy a few minutes before were giving each other crap, so when I called him into the office, he thought it was about that, and the scheduling and stuff, and we told him. And he was taken away.

“It’s such a cool for those guys. They work so hard and it says a lot when the team trusts you to take the ball the first game of the year. And he’s taking that responsibility in stride and he’s definitely ready for the opportunity.”

Albernaz didn’t reveal the rest of his rotation, but Kyle Bradish is expected to start the second game on March 28. He’s starting Monday night against the Red Sox in Sarasota, which lines him up for the assignment.

Jeremiah Jackson is playing second base today, as the Orioles visit the Pirates at LECOM Park. Taylor Ward is leading off, and the lineup also includes regulars Adley Rutschman, Pete Alonso and Colton Cowser.

Blaze Alexander is the shortstop while Gunnar Henderson tries to infiltrate the Team USA lineup on Sunday against the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic.

Dylan Beavers is in right field. Weston Wilson is playing third base.

Dietrich Enns, Yaramil Hiraldo, Hans Crouse and Enoli Paredes are available in relief. Crouse hasn’t pitched this spring.

Zach Eflin starts Sunday night against the Yankees in Sarasota.

Right fielder Tyler O’Neill could return to camp on Sunday with Team Canada eliminated in the WBC.

For the Orioles
Taylor Ward LF
Adley Rutschman C
Pete Alonso 1B
Colton Cowser CF
Blaze Alexander SS
Jeremiah Jackson 2B
Dylan Beavers RF
Bryan Ramos DH
Weston Wilson 3B

Trevor Rogers LHP

Former Oriole Ryan O’Hearn is in right field today for Pittsburgh.

For the Pirates
Henry Davis C
Brandon Lowe 2B
Bryan Reynolds LF
Marcell Ozuna DH
Ryan O’Hearn RF
Nick Gonzalez SS
Spencer Horwitz 1B
Jared Triolo 3B
Jake Mangum CF

Carmen Mlodzinski RHP