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SARASOTA, Fla. – Chayce McDermott still hasn’t been cleared to begin activities. However, he said earlier today that he feels “really good” after reporting to camp with a mild lat/teres strain.

“Can’t complain where I’m at,” he said, “so we’ll keep going and keep following the plan.”

McDermott is restricted to performing strength exercises and doesn’t know when he’ll be begin a throwing progression.

“It should be pretty soon,” he said. “I’m not 100 percent sure of the exact timeline. It’s just based on how I feel with everything and how I keep progressing.”

McDermott made his only major league start last season on July 24 in Miami and had an uphill climb this spring to break camp with the team. His injury likely has eliminated that possibility, but he can hop back into Triple-A Norfolk’s rotation, continue his development and try to rejoin the Orioles over the summer.

Baseball America ranks McDermott as the No. 5 prospect in the system.

Charlie Morton makes his first start today against the Tigers in Sarasota, followed by Dean Kremer, whose outing yesterday against the Braves was rained out.

Asked about Morton this morning, McDermott said, “I’m looking forward to getting a chance to talk to  him. I talked to him a little bit just as we’ve been doing drills and around the weight room and stuff, but I think it’s a great presence to have in the clubhouse. Obviously, a guy with (17) years is always going to be beneficial, just to pick his brain, so it’s gonna be fun to talk to him.”

Morton turned 41 in November. McDermott celebrated his 26th birthday in August. That kind of longevity in a baseball career is hard for some younger players to fathom.

“I think that’s always the goal is to be as good as you can for as long as you can,” McDermott said. “He’s done that for (17) years, so that’s pretty impressive and kind of a cool story to watch unfold in front of us.”

Adley Rutschman is catching Morton today and Tyler O’Neill is in right field in their spring debuts. Heston Kjerstad is the designated hitter and Jackson Holliday is playing second base.

Ryan O’Hearn is the first baseman and Ramón Urías is at third base. Ramón Laureano is in left field.

For the Orioles

Gunnar Henderson SS
Adley Rutschman C
Cedric Mullins CF
Ryan O’Hearn 1B
Tyler O’Neill RF
Heston Kjerstad DH
Ramon Urías 3B
Ramón Laureano LF
Jackson Holliday 2B

Charlie Morton RHP

For the Tigers

Trey Sweeney SS
Riley Greene LF
Kerry Carpenter RF
Colt Keith 1B
Spencer Torkelson DH
Jace Jung 3B
Jake Rogers C
Zach McKinstry 2B
Ben Malgeri CF

Jackson Jobe RHP

The Tigers are starting right-hander Jackson Jobe, ranked by MLB Pipeline as the No. 5 prospect in baseball.

* Manager Brandon  Hyde said Félix Bautista will throw a couple more live batting practices, the next one Wednesday or Thursday on the back fields.

Hyde also said McDermott and Trevor Rogers are “a ways away” from being full-go in baseball activities.