SARASOTA – Outfielder Dylan Beavers is bothered by some tightness in his lower right quad that’s created soreness in the knee, which led to his removal from last night’s lineup in Tampa.

The discomfort was mild a few days ago but worsened after Beavers traveled to George M. Steinbrenner Field for a game against the Yankees.

“It feels better today,” he said this morning. “It’s just a little tightness, I think, coming from my quad. It was a little bit sore to run yesterday, so not really pushing it. But feeling better today.

“Kind of just got a little inflamed. There wasn’t any particular thing I did to it, I don’t think. I’m hoping it will be very short-term and I’ll be good to go as soon as possible. That’s the hope.”

Asked about being ready for Opening Day, Beavers said, “Yeah, I feel good about that. It’s not 100 percent sure, but that’s the plan.”

Manager Craig Albernaz was told about Beavers’ sore knee after he arrived at the ballpark.

“He’s doing good,” Albernaz said. “Yesterday was interesting in a sense that there was a ton of traffic going up to Tampa, so I got up there later than I expected, and right when I walked in, Beavers was standing in front of me and he let me know. He was actually thinking that I already knew about it. I’m like, ‘No, it just happened, Beavs. Sorry, I don’t know.’ But precautionary.

“I’m glad he said something. He’s responding well today. It’s tight on him. I think the worst thing he could have done was to try to play through it right now. Sounds like during the season, that would be something that he could play through. But spring training and getting close to Opening Day, so it was smart by him to say something so our medical team can get its hands on him and knock it out.”

This is a first for Beavers. He’s never had this kind of discomfort in that area of his leg.

Outfielder Heston Kjerstad is bothered by right hamstring tightness and will undergo an MRI in Baltimore.

Kjerstad wasn’t expected to make the club out of spring training unless an injury opened a spot for him. He got off to a hot start in camp but is batting .195 with a .604 OPS in 13 games. He pulled up Thursday night while running out a ground ball in the seventh inning.

Reliever Andrew Kittredge threw in the bullpen yesterday while recovering from right shoulder inflammation. He’s going to stay back for a live batting practice session, fly to Baltimore for the Opening Day ceremonies and report to Triple-A Norfolk on a rehab assignment.

“It’s going really well,” he said. “I’m really encouraged with how my shoulder’s responded, and as of now, I’d say everything’s kind of on track to have it be back relatively early in the season, probably somewhere around the minimum stay.”

The progress is surprising to Kittredge, who came back to the Orioles in a cash trade with the Cubs and had the $9 million option exercised in his contract.

“I think the training staff has kind of not been surprised,” he said. “This has kind of been their expectation all along. Just the way it was feeling those first few days, it kind of seemed hard to believe it would be this quick, but so far, I basically feel normal at this point. Now, it’s kind of a buildup.”

Kittredge wanted to experience Opening Day with his teammates at Camden Yards and is getting that chance before joining the Tides.

“It’s always a special thing, and just to be with the team for that, it’s something that I was really pushing for,” he said. “Excited to be there.”

Gunnar Henderson is at shortstop and leading off for this afternoon’s game against the Phillies in Sarasota, the last in the Grapefruit League. Adley Rutschman is catching.

Blaze Alexander gets the start at third base and Jeremiah Jackson is at second. Enrique Bradfield Jr. is in left field.

Levi Wells gets another start after facing the Astros in West Palm and allowing two runs and three hits in 3 2/3 innings. Overall, he’s surrendered six runs in seven Grapefruit League innings.

The Phillies are starting right-hander Ryan Cusick, the 24th overall pick by the Braves in the 2021 draft out of Wake Forest.

Kyle Bradish starts Sunday against the Nationals at Camden Yards and Shane Baz faces them Monday in D.C.

For the Orioles
Gunnar Henderson SS
Pete Alonso 1B
Adley Rutschman C
Tyler O’Neill RF
Ryan Mountcastle DH
Colton Cowser CF
Blaze Alexander 3B
Jeremiah Jackson 2B
Enrique Bradfield Jr. LF

Levi Wells RHP

For the Phillies
Trea Turner DH
Bryson Stott 2B
Otto Kemp LF
Brandon Marsh CF
Bryan De La Cruz RF
Rafael Marchán C
Garrett Stubbs 3B
Liover Peguero 1B
Christian Cairo SS

Ryan Cusick RHP