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Six players from the Orioles’ 2025 draft class are reporting next week to Class A Delmarva for their professional debuts, including the first two selections, according to a source.
Catcher/outfielder Ike Irish and catcher Caden Bodine, the 19th and 30th overall picks, respectively, are joined by shortstop Wehiwa Aloy (31st), center fielder RJ Austin (93rd), shortstop Colin Yeaman (124th) and second baseman Brayden Smith (394th).
Irish was chosen out of Auburn, Bodine out of Coastal Carolina, Aloy out of Arkansas, Austin from Vanderbilt, Yeaman from UC Irvine and Smith from Oklahoma State.
The drafted players who signed have been working out in Sarasota.
On the major league side, the Orioles didn’t make any roster moves today and didn’t have any updates on injured players.
Zach Eflin was in the clubhouse briefly while the media had access, but he dressed and headed out the door. He received an epidural in his lower back and is shut down.
“There will be more updates down the road, but nothing to share right now,” said interim manager Tony Mansolino. “He’s seen doctors and nothing’s imminent, by any means.”
The same goes for closer Félix Bautista, who required a second MRI on his right shoulder.
“Once we kind of get through the different opinions and whatnot,” Mansolino said. “He’s still kind of on that journey right now with these doctors and get their opinions and go from there. Got to remember with these doctors, as important as our baseball players are, they have other patients, too, so it’s not a scenario where you call and you have them there the next day. You’ve got to kind of get in line, so to speak, and get your appointment and meet with these guys, so it does take a little bit of time to get the information. But probably expect in the next week, hopefully, to have information on Bautista and Eflin that we can share with you guys.”
Dylan Carlson remains in the lineup tonight, playing left field again while mired in 0-for-31 and 2-for-38 slumps.
“Just in between right now,” Mansolino said. “We had some good run out of him the first time up and he helped us a lot. Our lineup wasn’t too dissimilar there when we actually were winning a bunch of games, kind of going through that Seattle series. He was using the whole field, hitting line drives, getting on base.
“I think lately it just feels like he’s trying to do too much. It looks like he’s trying to drive the ball too much. He’s getting an opportunity to play every day right now. There’s a lot of pressure in that and he doesn’t want to lose it and let it slip through his fingers. So when that happens, a lot of times we just try too hard. I think that’s what we’re seeing.”
So how can the Orioles get him to relax?
“He’s got to relax himself,” Mansolino replied. “He’s just got to know he’s gonna be out there right now. He’s got to do the best he can. He’s got to swing at good pitches.
“This is a guy who’s played significant time in the major leagues on really good teams. He’s played in the playoffs. At this point for him, he knows the opportunity, he kind of knows where he’s at, and he’s busting his butt. I do know that. He’s in the cage right now grinding, and he’s out there every day working on his defense. So just try to do less is probably the biggest thing, and he’s aware of that.”
Mansolino wasn’t in the organization when Adam Jones built his Orioles Hall of Fame resume, but he knows and respects the history. Jones, Joe Orsulak and Tom Davis will be inducted this evening.
“He played hard,” Mansolino said. “My interactions with Adam are as a guest instructor in spring training last year, this year. Just really awesome guy, gets along with everybody, it seems like. The players like him. He loves talking baseball. He wants to help, he wants to be around. As a fan watching him as a player, he was an impact player in every which way – defensively, offensively, on the bases. He was a part of really good teams and right in the middle of the field for them.
“He’s a guy that I’m growing into a relationship with. I’ve really enjoyed my time around him, and he’s a great guy to have around.”
Mansolino has advised his players to be in the dugout for the ceremony.
“They understand that there’s gonna be a point in time when some of these guys are gonna be sitting in those seats,” he said.
The Athletics were supposed to start right-hander Luis Severino Sunday, but the spot is TBD. Severino went on the 15-day injured list today with a left oblique strain, and left-hander Hogan Harris was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas.
For the Athletics
Lawrence Butler CF
Shea Langeliers C
Nick Kurtz 1B
Brent Rooker DH
Tyler Soderstrom LF
JJ Bleday RF
Darell Hernaiz SS
Luis Urías 2B
Gio Urshela 3B
Jack Perkins RHP
