Orioles left-hander Keegan Akin is beginning the season on the injured list with a left groin strain, which tampers with bullpen construction for Opening Day.

Anthony Nunez wasn’t expected to walk through the door, but he’s in Baltimore.

The Orioles recalled Nunez after optioning him to minor league camp on March 8. He’s going to be introduced Thursday and jog down the orange carpet for his first Opening Day.

Nunez, 24, was acquired from the Mets on July 31 in the Cedric Mullins deal. The former infielder tossed five scoreless innings with six strikeouts in spring training.

He was eligible to return because he’s replacing an injured player.

Yaramil Hiraldo also made the club. Jackson Kowar was designated for assignment — the 98-99 mph fastball couldn’t save him — and Albert Suárez was reassigned to Triple-A Norfolk. Suárez hasn’t opted out of his contract.

The bullpen also will hold left-handers Dietrich Enns and Grant Wolfram.

Akin appeared in 64 games last season, one fewer than team leader Yennier Cano, and posted a 3.41 ERA in 63 1/3 innings. He also became a part-time closer after the trade deadline and with Félix Bautista injured.

The plan to use Akin as a high-leverage lefty again was put on hold after he suffered his adductor injury while warming for Saturday’s exhibition game in Sarasota.

Jeremiah Jackson is breaking camp with the team in a utility role after appearing in 48 games over the final two months of the 2025 season.

Jackson beat out Bryan Ramos, Luis Vázquez and Weston Wilson, among others. Wilson was one of the final cuts today, being reassigned to Norfolk. Vázquez also was reassigned after breaking his right thumb on Sunday.

Leody Taveras is a fifth outfielder on the club.

Outfielder Dylan Beavers avoided the IL after experiencing discomfort in his right knee last Friday and being scratched from the lineup in Tampa. Beavers, Nunez and catcher Samuel Basallo are rookies on the 26-man roster. Nunez will be making his major league debut.

Seven players are on the injured list. Jackson Holliday (right hamate surgery), Heston Kjerstad (right hamstring strain), Jordan Westburg (right elbow UCL sprain) were placed on the 10-day IL. Akin and Andrew Kittredge (right shoulder inflammation) are on the 15-day IL. All the moves are retroactive to Sunday.

Félix Bautista (right shoulder surgery) and Colin Selby (right shoulder inflammation) are on the 60-day IL.

Only six players were on last year’s Opening Day roster – Yennier Cano, Colton Cowser, Zach Eflin, Ryan Mountcastle, Tyler O’Neill and Adley Rutschman.

Infielder Bryan Ramos was designated for assignment. Infielder José Barrero and catcher Sam Huff were reassigned to Norfolk.

The 40-man roster has 38 players.

Here’s the Opening Day roster:

Starting pitchers
LHP Trevor Rogers
RHP Kyle Bradish
RHP Shane Baz
RHP Chris Bassitt
RHP Zach Eflin

Relievers
RHP Ryan Helsley
RHP Tyler Wells
RHP Yennier Cano
LHP Dietrich Enns
LHP Grant Wolfram
RHP Rico Garcia
RHP Yaramil Hiraldo
RHP Anthony Nunez

Catchers
Adley Rutschman
Samuel Basallo

Infielders
Pete Alonso
Gunnar Henderson
Ryan Mountcastle
Coby Mayo
Blaze Alexander
Jeremiah Jackson

Outfielders
Taylor Ward
Colton Cowser
Tyler O’Neill
Dylan Beavers
Leody Taveras

*The gates at Camden Yards will open at noon Thursday, three hours before first pitch. Parking lots will open at 11 a.m.

Mo Gaba Fan of the Year Arthur Green, a 109-year-old veteran, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

New Ravens head coach Jesse Minter will be the guest splasher in the bottom of the second inning.

Performing artist and Baltimore native India Boone will perform the national anthem from the orange carpet. Boone is a touring Broadway performer who began her musical theater journey in the Baltimore County Public School System. She currently appears in the nationally-touring “TINA: The Tina Turner Musical” as Tina Turner and previously toured across the country in “The Book of Mormon.”

The national anthem performance will conclude with a flyover by Operating US Air Force UH-1N Twin Huey Helicopters from Joint Base Andrews, Md.

Fans can watch a live ice sculpting performance of a polar bear and various Orioles logos in Legends Park by the Cal Ripken Jr. statue from 12-1:30 p.m. The sculptures will be displayed in Legends Park throughout the game for fans to take photos.

In celebration of Opening Day and 150 years of Budweiser, fans are invited to visit the Warehouse Bar & Restaurant to enjoy festivities and purchase a Bud. The 150th fan who purchases the beverage will win an exclusive limited-edition prize from Budweiser.