Orioles make roster cuts

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The Orioles have made the following roster moves:

  • Optioned LHP Luis González and RHP Kade Strowd to minor league camp.
  • Reassigned OF Jordyn AdamsLHP Raúl AlcantaraC David BañuelosOF Franklin BarretoRHP Dylan ColemanRHP Rodolfo Martinez, and INF/OF Terrin Vavra to minor league camp.

The Orioles’ Spring Training roster currently has 48 players (36+12 NRI).

Orioles announce addition of orange-on-orange alternate uniform

Orioles orange-on-orange uniform

 The Orioles will bring back their orange-on-orange uniforms for select home games throughout the 2025 season. Fans can see them in person for the first time on Saturday, April 12, when the O’s take on the Toronto Blue Jays at 4:05 p.m. ET. The first 15,000 fans in attendance will receive an orange Cedric Mullins T-shirt. To purchase tickets, visit Orioles.com/Tickets.

The orange-on-orange uniforms, inspired by Orioles Legend and National Baseball Hall of Famer BROOKS ROBINSON, first debuted in 1971 and were worn a handful of times throughout the 1971-72 seasons before reappearing in a throwback game at Tampa Bay on August 13, 2010. The April 12 game will mark the first time the Orioles wear the orange-on-orange uniform since 2010.

Orange jerseys and t-shirts are available for purchase in-person at the Orioles Team Store and online at MLBShop.com/Orioles.

Notes on Sugano, small ball, Baker and more from Orioles-Twins and Orioles-Phillies (updated)

Tomoyuki Sugano

SARASOTA, Fla. – Tomoyuki Sugano can’t be disappointed today with his command. He’d be hard-pressed to complain about anything. Even the perfectionist in him should be satisfied.

Well, mostly.

What bothered Sugano in Monday’s start didn’t exist with the same force this afternoon against the Twins at Ed Smith Stadium. He was razor sharp, retiring all nine batters faced and striking out five.

The Japanese right-hander hasn’t allowed a run in seven exhibition innings.

“It wasn’t perfect. I would say 90 percent,” he said, remaining his toughest critic.

Rodriguez shut down for at least a week with elbow inflammation

Grayson Rodriguez

SARASOTA, Fla. – Grayson Rodriguez received a cortisone injection in his right elbow to combat the inflammation that’s caused the Orioles to shut him down.

Rodriguez hasn’t pitched since Wednesday in Fort Myers, when he exhibited another noticeable decline in velocity and spoke afterward about feeling “sluggish.” The club initially said that Rodriguez was experiencing discomfort in his right triceps, but later pinpointed the back of the elbow.

The plan calls for Rodriguez to wait seven-to-10 days before starting a throwing progression.

Manager Brandon Hyde referred to the shot as “successful.”

“Timeline after a week, I’m not really sure at this point,” Hyde said. “We’ll see how it goes. But we’re gonna give him a week to not throw and let the cortisone do what it does.”

Orioles split-squad lineups vs. Twins and Phillies

Tyler O'Neill

SARASOTA, Fla. – Tyler O’Neill has returned to the Orioles’ lineup this afternoon after being scratched Thursday night with a sore left rib cage.

O’Neill is batting cleanup in the split-squad game against the Twins in Sarasota.

Jackson Holliday is leading off and playing second base. Livan Soto is the shortstop with Gunnar Henderson receiving treatment for a strained right intercostal.

Adley Rutschman is the designated hitter, with Gary Sánchez catching Tomoyuki Sugano. Sugano is making his third exhibition start.

Colton Cowser is in right field.

Orioles dependent on depth again while wishing Rodriguez a speedy recovery

Grayson Rodriguez

SARASOTA, Fla. – There must be a voodoo curse in the Orioles déjà vu.

Their rotation was ravaged by injuries last season, and five starters at the major or minor league levels are headed for the IL – Kyle Bradish, Tyler Wells, Trevor Rogers, Chayce McDermott and Grayson Rodriguez, who joined a club that’s about as exclusive as the local Publix.

Rodriguez is receiving multiple opinions to determine the cause of the discomfort in the back of his right elbow, the severity of it and how long he’s going to be out. He won’t be ready for Opening Day, which punches a hole in a rotation that lost ace Corbin Burnes to free agency.

“It’s a huge loss, but at the end of the day we need Grayson for pretty much the majority of the whole season,” said Zach Eflin, the uncontested starter on March 27 in Toronto. “If it’s something that happens, preferably it would be now and get it out of the way and come back stronger. It’s a blow, but fortunately for us we have depth and we have the next guy up mentality, so we’ll be prepared for any situation we encounter.”

“It’s tough I think whenever you have an injury,” said Cade Povich. “We saw it unfortunately too many times last year with guys going down. It’s tough. I see how hard he worked to get back last year. Got here early, I’ve seen how hard he’s worked to come back, so hopefully it’s nothing big. Hopefully it’s something short and he can get back quick.”

Morton extends scoreless exhibition streak, Cowser's inning adventure, Hyde on Bautista and Kittredge (O's lose 6-3)

Charlie Morton spring

SARASOTA, Fla. – Charlie Morton worked three scoreless innings today against the Rays with only one hit allowed, a double on a fly ball to left field that Daz Cameron had difficulty tracking in the wind and high sky. Morton hasn’t surrendered a run in six exhibition innings. Everything looks impressive.

That’s the simple surface observation. There’s much more going on with Morton, a veteran entering his 18th major league season.

“I’ve been working on some pitch shape stuff, maybe trying to understand where I’m at a little bit more with movement and stuff, and how my mixes play together,” said Morton, always ready with a thoughtful and detailed answer. “Like today, it was good. I threw a couple pretty good four-seamers, a couple ones that I think didn’t necessarily play. I think the two-seamer, we’ve been talking about that, maybe mixing that a little bit more, especially to righties, because last year especially, righties were giving me fits. And to see some swing and miss on my breaking ball.”

Morton struck out the side in the first inning on 15 pitches, topping at 95 mph and touching 94 four times. A fourth strikeout ended the second inning, with Morton’s fastball again reaching 95 mph. Josh Lowe’s two-out walk in the third didn’t hurt.

“All in all I feel pretty good, but I think probably another few weeks, even into the regular season, until I’m really, truly and honestly aware of where I’m at,” said Morton, who threw 46 pitches, 26 for strikes.

Kittredge's surgery, Young's optioning, O'Neill's injury update and today's Orioles-Rays lineups

Andrew Kittredge photo day

SARASOTA, Fla. – Orioles reliever Andrew Kittredge underwent left knee debridement surgery yesterday, with Dr. Leigh Ann Curl handling the procedure in Baltimore.

Kittredge made only one appearance this spring, on Feb. 26 in Bradenton, where he allowed two hits and walked a batter but didn’t surrender a run. He warmed in the bullpen last Saturday but didn’t pitch because of the discomfort.

Manager Brandon Hyde said yesterday that Kittredge, who signed a contract that guarantees $10 million and includes a team option for 2026, would be out for a few months.

A debridement removes dead, infected or damaged tissue from a wound, with the intent to promote healing by eliminating obstacles to tissue regeneration.

Bryan Baker could be the in-house replacement for Kittredge on Opening Day, though it's an open competition and there's also the possibility of a trade or free agent signing.

Orioles option Brandon Young to minor league camp

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The Orioles have made the following roster move:

• Optioned RHP Brandon Young to minor league camp after yesterday’s game.

The Orioles’ Spring Training roster currently has 57 players (38+19 NRI).

Is window of opportunity ajar for Povich?

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The Orioles are in a different era. 

Consistently competing in the American League East, Baltimore can’t afford to give guaranteed, consistent playing time to prospects. Development, while still important, has to give way to winning baseball games at the big league level. 

Of course, this wasn’t always the case. 

Pitching prospects like Keegan Akin and Dean Kremer were never top 100 prospects according to MLB Pipeline, nor were they considered to be in the upper echelon of the O’s top youngsters. However, with a rebuilding phase at the big league level, they were still able to find pathways to relatively consistent playing time in the majors. 

Both players have been able to carve out roles in Baltimore: Akin out of the bullpen and Kremer as a mainstay in the starting rotation. They were given a chance to prove that they had big league ability and they made the most of their opportunities. 

This, that and the other

Adley Rutschman

SARASOTA, Fla. – The Orioles won’t pinch-hit for Adley Rutschman during the regular season, but the many differences and oddities in spring training sent Vimael Machín to the plate for the All-Star catcher in the fourth inning of Thursday night’s game against the Pirates.

Machín struck out, which also seemed unusual because he’s been on fire.

A second at-bat produced a fly ball to the center field fence, an extremely long out influenced perhaps by the wind, and a third resulted in a line drive single to right.

Last night’s game in Lakeland began with Machín batting .500 (9-for-18) with a double, home run, five RBIs, two walks and a 1.272 OPS. No one had more hits, a higher average and OPS, or appeared in more games than Machín’s 10.

Coming off the bench late, Machín singled in the ninth inning to start a three-run rally. He’s 10-for-19 and one of the most impressive players in camp.

Notes on Kremer's start, Bautista's second relief appearance and more from Orioles-Tigers exhibition (O's lose 11-7)

Dean Kremer

LAKELAND, Fla. – Dean Kremer got in his work tonight, stretched out to 60 pitches. He’s healthy.

As the Orioles know, it could be a lot worse.

The Tigers hit three home runs off Kremer in three-plus innings, on an elevated sinker, fastball and splitter. He exited in the fourth with two on and no outs, and Logan Rinehart let both inherited runners score.

Kremer was charged with six runs and six hits with two walks and three strikeouts to leave his ERA at 9.00. He tossed three scoreless innings against the Phillies in his last start.

“Feel good, feel strong,” Kremer said. “Looking forward to continuing the buildup and ready for the season. I feel like I’m on track to be ready for five to six (innings) and first game of season.”

Rodriguez and Kittredge appear headed to the injured list by Opening Day

Grayson Rodriguez

LAKELAND, Fla. – The latest injury updates from the Orioles apparently will keep starter Grayson Rodriguez and reliever Andrew Kittredge away from the Opening Day roster.

A drama-free camp has spun in a bad direction.

Manager Brandon Hyde said the discomfort in Rodriguez’s right arm is located in the back of the elbow, describing it as the point where it connects to the triceps. The Orioles will seek multiple opinions, but their projected No. 1 or 2 starter isn’t going to build up the necessary innings to break camp with the team.

The regular season begins March 27 in Toronto. Rodriguez has made only two exhibition starts totaling three innings.

“It’s not a ligament issue, so we’re not concerned about that, but it’s going to result in some missed time,” Hyde said. “As we get more information, we’ll share it with you, but right now he’s still getting opinions.

Bautista pitching tonight, Orioles and Tigers lineups

felix bautista grey

LAKELAND, Fla. – Félix Bautista is making his second spring training appearance tonight, as the Orioles hit the road to face the Tigers.

Bautista retired the Red Sox in order Monday afternoon in Sarasota.

Jordan Westburg is out of the lineup after returning to it last night. Gunnar Henderson remains out with a strained right intercostal, and manager Brandon Hyde will provide an update later.

Jackson Holliday is leading off tonight, followed by Ramón Urías at third base. Heston Kjerstad is in right field, Coby Mayo is the designated hitter and Samuel Basallo is catching.

Liván Soto is the shortstop.

Orioles announce multi-yaer exhibition series against Nationals

Camden Yards Opening Day generic

First of the five-year series will take place in D.C. March 24

The Orioles today officially announced that they will end their 2025 spring schedule with an exhibition game against the Washington Nationals on Monday, March 24, at 1:05 p.m. ET at Nationals Park. This will mark the first of several exhibition games, which will continue through the 2029 season.

“The Orioles and Nationals are neighbors, and it is important to both teams that we use it as an opportunity to strengthen connections and share our love of baseball with the full Baltimore and Washington metropolitan areas,” said CATIE GRIGGS, Orioles President of Business Operations.

Beginning in 2026, the series will include two games, one played at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore and one in Washington D.C. Tickets for this year’s exhibition game at Nationals Park are on sale now at Nats.com/Tickets

The Orioles and Nats will meet twice in the 2025 regular season, including during MLB’s Rivalry Weekend from May 16-18 in Baltimore.

Notes on Urías, Eflin and more from tonight's Orioles-Pirates exhibition (O's lose 9-5)

Ramón Urías

SARASOTA, Fla. – A 95 mph fastball from Pirates reliever Peter Strzelecki tonight dropped Ramón Urías to the dirt in the bottom of the fifth inning. Urías stayed down for a few seconds while the crowd gasped in unison, got back to his feet and struck out.

Urías grabbed his equipment bag and walked down the right field line toward the clubhouse. He was coming out anyway, with manager Brandon Hyde making multiple substitutions. He left third base and upheld his status as a healthy infielder.

The gasps became sighs of relief.

Jordan Westburg returned to the lineup, but Gunnar Henderson remained out with a strained right intercostal and Jorge Mateo won’t be ready for Opening Day after his reconstructive elbow surgery in August, though he’s swinging a bat.

The Orioles need Urías to be their utility guy. They might need him to play shortstop for Henderson or third base if Westburg slides over. Tailing fastballs with his name on them are frowned upon in this establishment.

Spring Breakout roster announced, Westburg returns to Orioles' lineup

Zach Eflin

SARASOTA, Fla. – Rosters were announced today for the second Spring Breakout game. Orioles prospects will play Yankees prospects on March 15 at 6:05 p.m. in Sarasota.

Among the 26 Orioles are top prospect Samuel Basallo and No. 3 prospect Enrique Bradfield Jr.

Here is the complete list:

Pitchers
LHP Luis De León
RHP Michael Forret
RHP Nestor German
RHP Keeler Morfe
RHP Patrick Reilly
RHP Levi Wells
RHP Cameron Weston

Catchers
Ethan Anderson
Samuel Basallo
Miguel Rodríguez
Creed Willems

Rodriguez bothered by soreness in right triceps (O'Neill scratched)

Grayson Rodriguez

SARASOTA, Fla. – The latest dip in velocity from Grayson Rodriguez apparently stems from a physical issue.

Rodriguez is bothered by soreness in his right triceps, according to manager Brandon Hyde. He was evaluated today and the Orioles should have more information on Friday.

Asked if there’s a base level of concern anytime a pitcher admits to soreness, Hyde said, “Sure. I’m concerned every day right now with everybody.”

Standing outside the visiting clubhouse yesterday at Hammond Stadium, Rodriguez told the media that he felt “pretty sluggish” and couldn’t get behind the ball and spin it how he wanted. He threw 30 pitches against the Twins, 20 for strikes, and allowed one run and three hits with a walk, strikeout and hit batter over 1 1/3 innings.

The radar gun provided numbers that drew most of the attention and concern. Rodriguez’s four-seam fastball averaged 93.2 mph, topping out at 95.3 on Ryan Jeffers’ strikeout in the first. Christian Vazquez led off the second with a double into left-center field on an 89.5 mph fastball.

"The Bird's Nest" breaks down the O's top 30 prospects

Chayce McDermott

A new season means a new MLB Pipeline prospect ranking. 

This week on “The Bird’s Nest,” Annie Klaff and I broke down some of the highlights from an updated top 30. You can listen to the full episode here: https://masn.me/6r1g411x

The Top Dogs 

Samuel Basallo and Coby Mayo are two of the top prospects in all of baseball. Two of the best 15 in the game per Pipeline’s top 100, to be exact, and No. 1 and No. 2 in the O’s top 30. Basallo, now the top prospect in Baltimore’s system, has turned heads down in Sarasota with his eye popping exit velocities and defensive improvements. However, the catcher still needs seasoning in Triple-A Norfolk after posting a .638 OPS in 21 games with the Tides. That’s to be expected during your age 19 season. As for Mayo, there’s not much left to prove offensively down in the minors. Continuing to progress defensively at both third base and first base is the next step in his development. 

The Speedsters in Center 

Jones, Orsulak and Davis awaiting induction into Orioles Hall of Fame

Adam Jones

SARASOTA, Fla. – Former Orioles center fielder Adam Jones will have to pause his work in the front office and in the community to accept his latest honor on Aug. 9.

Jones and another former outfielder, Joe Orsulak, were elected to the club’s Hall of Fame. Long-time broadcaster Tom Davis will receive the Herb Armstrong Award given to non-uniformed Orioles personnel.

Jones officially retired from baseball as an Oriole on Sept. 15, 2023, and in January 2025 he returned to the organization as a special advisor to the general manager and community ambassador.

His accomplishments on the field made him an easy choice in his first year of eligibility.

Jones spent 11 of his 14 seasons with the Orioles and ranks among their all-time leaders in hits (fourth, 1,781), home runs (fifth, 263), RBIs (fifth, 866), runs (fifth, 875), doubles (seventh, 305) and games played (eighth, 1,613). Also, his 93 career outfield assists are tied with Nick Markakis for second behind Paul Blair’s 105.