Blaze Alexander takes his turn tonight at second base for the Orioles in their series opener against the Rangers at Camden Yards.

Tyler O’Neill is the designated hitter, which moves Samuel Basallo to the bench. Jeremiah Jackson and Ryan Mountcastle also are reserves tonight.

Taylor Ward remains in left field and the leadoff spot. He’s 1-for-11 with three walks and three strikeouts.

Gunnar Henderson continues to follow him in the order. He’s 1-for-12 with a walk and six strikeouts.

Chris Bassitt makes his Orioles debut after allowing four earned runs in 16 1/3 innings in spring training. He’s made 17 career appearances against the Rangers (13 starts) and posted a 3.77 ERA in 76 1/3 innings.

Joc Pederson is 5-for-10 with a double and two home runs against Bassitt.

The Rangers are starting right-hander Jack Leiter, the second-overall pick in the 2021 draft who had a 3.86 ERA last season in 29 games and finished seventh in Rookie of the Year voting. He’s never faced the Orioles.

Alexander is 1-for-3 with a home run against Leiter. Ward also is 1-for-3 with a homer in the small sample size department.

The Orioles went 2-5 against the Rangers last season after posting a combined 18-8 record from 2021-24.

Six players led their teams last year in home runs, stolen bases and walks, and two are in this series: Henderson and the Rangers’ Wyatt Langford. Henderson was the first Oriole to do it.

Henderson played in his 500th career game yesterday.

Reliever Andrew Kittredge is beginning his injury rehab assignment Wednesday with Triple-A Norfolk.

For  the Orioles
Taylor Ward LF
Gunnar Henderson SS
Pete Alonso 1B
Adley Rutschman C
Tyler O’Neill DH
Dylan Beavers RF
Coby Mayo 3B
Colton Cowser CF
Blaze Alexander 2B

Chris Bassitt RHP

For the Rangers
Brandon Nimmo RF
Wyatt Langford LF
Corey Seager SS
Jake Burger 1B
Joc Pederson DH
Josh Smith 2B
Josh Jung 3B
Evan Carter CF
Kyle Higashioka C

Jack Leiter RHP