The home clubhouse looks bigger at Camden Yards, sort of like the expectations that surround the team residing in it.

Applying a coat of white paint to cover black walls is a neat way to expand the space, or at least the perception of it.

The banks of televisions hanging from the ceiling are gone. Flat screens are mounted above rows of lockers, where EZLink Strip lights change colors.

A few of the Orioles already were enjoying the custom-made shuffleboard table.

The words “Day One” are painted on a wall in the far corner, above the angry Bird logo. Players have talked about the new, unofficial slogan – as opposed to whatever makes a slogan official. Pitcher Trevor Rogers referred to it as manager Craig Albernaz’s mantra.

“When I talked to the group, the first big team meeting – obviously we talked about a lot – but that was the main point for me to drive home was, just, if you change two words, it just changes your whole mindset,” Albernaz said.

Then, he explained.

“It’s, one day you want to win the World Series, one day you want to be Rookie of the Year, one day MVP, but if you flip those two words, day one,” he said. “This is day one of us working toward being a World Series champion. This is day one of you working toward being MVP. And so for me, it’s every day you show up is a day one mindset. So you can’t worry about the past.

“Learn the lesson, leave the event, and you can’t worry about the future. You have to be in the present moment. So every day we show up, we just challenge our guys to have a day one mentality.”

(To avoid any confusion, “learn the lesson, leave the event” is not the same as “leave the gun, take the cannoli.”)

Albernaz didn’t come up with the motivational phrase, which widely is attributed to author Paulo Coelho. He’s just the messenger.

“I don’t know. I got it from somewhere It’s definitely not a copyright thing,” Albernaz said.

“I heard it somewhere, a podcast or a book. Something, and it kind of just stuck out. But it wasn’t in reference to sports.”

The Orioles are using it for their own purposes. One day, they might research its origin. In the meantime, it resonates with an entire organization.

Day one of the home-and-home exhibition series against the Nationals produced an 8-1 win for the Orioles. The weather was ideal. The crowd was enthusiastic.

The new scoreboard is big but not overbearing. It doesn’t block out the warehouse or ruin the skyline. The sound system will challenge reporters attempting to transcribe interviews on their recorders, but the windows can be closed to mute the noise. No one would dare complain after years of weather abuse.

The out-of-town scoreboard is larger, which caused the removal of the grounds crew shed. That section of fencing is padded.

The roster could use some padding, too. It’s a little thin at the moment, too light to declare the 26 players on it.

Luis Vázquez needed stitches on his right thumb after being hit yesterday by a 92 mph sinker. He’s undergoing X-rays today and might have hurt his chances of making the club.

The Orioles must figure out whether to carry Leody Taveras as an extra outfielder, a switch-hitter whose natural position is center field, or keep an extra infielder. Taveras is out of options and being paid $2 million on the contract that he signed in November.

Blaze Alexander and Dylan Beavers have experience in center, though not nearly as much as Taveras. Beavers is a health question after knee soreness forced him out of Friday’s lineup in Tampa.

Jeremiah Jackson can play the infield and outfield, and he hit a three-run homer yesterday. He’s accumulated around 40-50 at-bats, by his estimation, when including live batting practice, despite missing some time in camp with a mild calf strain.

Though hard to handicap these things, Jackson seems to have reemerged as a favorite for a utility job.

“I feel like I’m in that sweet spot to where you start to get in a groove,” he said.

Coby Mayo won’t be disappointed anymore. He’s expected to make the Opening Day roster and probably start at third base.

“He had a terrific camp,” said president of baseball operations Mike Elias. “Losing (Jordan) Westburg, a guy like that, that’s been a blow, that will be a blow. It’s tough. We’re very fortunate to have Coby Mayo right behind him, promising young player, and I think he’s got a great opportunity ahead of him. And I think he’s ready.”

Mayo went 0-for-2 with a walk yesterday but is batting .389/.400/.639 in 14 games. He’s tied with Pete Alonso for most hits with 14 and ranks first in RBIs with 12.

“I think just being in a good headspace. I think being aggressive with pitches in the zone,” he said.

“I think I was doing that really well. If it was a fastball early in the count, I was hitting it. I wasn’t taking it or fouling it off. And I think when I was getting it in the zone, I was doing damage with it, which is absolutely huge for me and all hitters. I think just being consistent with my work. And confidence is huge, as well.”

Mayo earned a roster spot and the chance to play most days. Westburg will be rehabbing his elbow past May 1, with the hope that he won’t need surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament.

“I think everyone has an opportunity,” Mayo said. “Whenever you’re given the chance to go out in the field and compete, you have the ability to showcase your work. There’s been some things that have happened that have given me more of a chance at this level, I’m just gonna do what I can to take advantage of that.”

Mayo seemed beaten down last year, unable to break camp with the team or hit in the majors like he’d done at the lower levels. But he slashed .301/393/.548 with three doubles and five home runs 24 games in September and regained belief in his abilities.

“A year ago, wasn’t very confident, didn’t know how the big leagues were gonna treat me in years to come,” he said. “I knew I had the talent, too, obviously, from the minor leagues. Just, you don’t know if it’s ever gonna transfer over, or you’re hoping it’s going to, and I think just some hard work and a little bit of confidence can boost how you feel at the plate and how you feel off the field.

“The offseason after September is huge, just knowing that I can put together good at-bats, and a good month can translate to a good offseason, good spring training, and hopefully a good year.”

The turning point for Mayo was road trip through Toronto and Chicago, when he was 7-for-16.

“Had a good series in Toronto, hit two homers, and just gave me that confidence going into Chicago,” he said.

“I know we don’t like to look at numbers, but when you see the numbers jump up that much, gives you a sense of relief in a way and some confidence.”

Early infield work is important with Mayo, who moved to first base last summer and switched back to his old position. Coaches work on his arm slot and his posture, making sure he isn’t too upright when fielding ground balls. Reminding him to be athletic.

“You’re gonna make errors, you’re gonna screw some things up, and it’s the nature of it,” he said. “You’re gonna make some great players. You’re are not gonna make some great players. I think you’ve got to just be level-headed at all times. Even the best players in the world make errors, so you have to remember that.

“Just like hitting, when you’re going through it, you’ve just got to stay confident, you’ve got to keep the work good. When you’re having a good streak, kind of the same thing. Just keep moving forward.

“I think whenever you have an opportunity in the big leagues to play, you’ve got to take it and run and put your best forward. It doesn’t matter if it’s first base, second base, shortstop, third base or outfield. Whatever opportunity you have in front of you, you’ve got to run with it.”

Note: Brendan Mortensen is in D.C. today for the exhibition finale. I might chime in if there’s news.