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BRADENTON, Fla. – The Orioles have taken the short ride north for their latest road game, taking on the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Orioles (7-9-2) split two games on Monday, beating Detroit 11-7 at home and losing to Atlanta 6-5 in North Port in a game that was shortened to seven innings by rain.

The Orioles hit eight homers yesterday, six in Sarasota and two in North Port. They have scored 67 runs the past 10 games. 

Orioles closer Félix Bautista will make his long-awaiting spring debut today and is scheduled to pitch the first inning after being held out of games to this point. He has thrown several bullpen sessions and checked all the boxes he needed to get to this point. Now the Orioles hope the final two weeks plus will be enough time for him to be ready for Opening Day and they are confident he will be. It’s a nice step for him today here in Bradenton.

Right-hander Tyler Wells (0-1, 7.71 ERA) is expected to follow Bautista to the mound this afternoon at LECOM Park. Wells has allowed four runs and seven hits in 4 2/3 innings. He last pitched last Thursday in Clearwater against the Phillies allowing one run over 2 2/3 innings. Bruce Zimmermann is also scheduled to pitch for the Orioles.

Terrin Vavra, who is batting .474 (9-for-19) is leading off today and playing second base. Adley Rutschman hits second and will catch. Heston Kjerstad, who hit his third homer Monday against Atlanta, will bat eighth and play in right field and Colton Cowser hits ninth and plays in center.

Lewin Díaz, who is batting .250 with a homer and five RBIs, was a late scratch from the Orioles’ lineup. He was originally set to bat sixth and play first base. We await word on Díaz. Coby Mayo entered the new lineup.

For the Orioles

Terrin Vavra 2B
Adley Rutschman C
James McCann DH
Josh Lester 1B
Daz Cameron LF
Heston Kjerstad RF
Jordan Westburg SS
Coby Mayo 3B
Colton Cowser CF

Félix Bautista P

Joining the club in Bradenton from minors camp are pitchers Tyler Burch, Wandisson Charles, Ofreidy Gómez and Connor Loeprich along with catchers Maverick Handley and Mark Kolozsvary. They brought infielders Mayo, TT Bowens, Collin Burns and Cesar Prieto and outfielders Dylan Beavers, Hudson Haskin and Zach Watson.