SARASOTA, Fla. – The Orioles were on the brink of exploding, and in a good way. This wasn’t dissension. It was celebration.

They won 101 games and the division in 2023, stomping the rebuild into submission. The champagne was on ice after the clincher and players were handed goggles in the clubhouse to protect their eyes.

“You don’t need glasses,” veteran pitcher Kyle Gibson shouted. “The burn’s the best part.”

Now that’s leadership.

Free agency appeared to burn Gibson but he’s returning after signing a one-year contract last night for $5.25 million. Injuries dug into the Orioles’ depth. Gibson is one of the remedies. It just won’t be immediate with the need to undergo his own spring training and ramp-up.

SARASOTA, Fla. – The quest for starter depth has caused the Orioles to circle back to Kyle Gibson.

The club announced tonight that it signed Gibson to a one-year contract. A source confirmed that the deal guarantees $5.25 million. The Athletic also reported that Gibson can earn $1.525 million in performance bonuses.

Gibson, 37, spent the 2023 season with the Orioles and emerged as one of their most popular players while going 15-9 with a 4.73 ERA in 33 starts. He pitched for the Cardinals last season and registered a 4.24 ERA in 30 starts.

The free-agency process didn't move as quickly for Gibson this winter.

“Kyle was amazing for us a couple years ago, what he did in the clubhouse, plus how he took the ball every five days and kept us in almost every game,” manager Brandon Hyde said after a 9-1 loss to the Tigers at Ed Smith Stadium. “He was an unbelievable leader. Had a good year last year in St. Louis, and I’m really happy about having him back.”

SARASOTA, Fla. – Félix Bautista finally made it back into a Grapefruit League game tonight, his first in a week, and he stuck around for two outs and 26 pitches.

If the idea was to gain clarity on his status for Opening Day, the mission failed.

Bautista surrendered a wind-aided, opposite-field home run to Zach McKinstry. He struck out two batters but also walked two. Afterward, he described the outing as “good, excellent,” via interpreter Brandon Quinones.

“Apart from everything, I felt good, my arm feels really good,” he said. “I think right now the most important thing is feeling healthy and making sure I feel good out there.

The fastball topped out again at 98 mph and was clocked at 97 four times.

SARASOTA, Fla. – Dylan Carlson won’t play general manager. He’d prefer holding onto his sanity.

“You lose your mind a little bit,” he said.

Can’t argue with his logic.

Carlson came into Orioles camp and ran into a crowded outfield. The Orioles signed him on Jan. 27 to a one-year deal worth $975,000 with a $25,000 bonus if he reached 200 plate appearances. A week later, the team signed outfielder Ramón Laureano to a one-year contract worth $4 million and including a $6.5 million club option.

Cedric Mullins, Colton Cowser and Tyler O’Neill are going to be introduced on Opening Day in Toronto and Heston Kjerstad is expected to join them. Laureano’s deal and his ability to serve as a right-handed hitting backup in center field pretty much solidified his chances.

SARASOTA, Fla. – Gunnar Henderson remains out of the lineup tonight against the Tigers at Ed Smith Stadium. He’s taking live batting practice Saturday against pitchers on one of the back fields.

Henderson hasn’t played since Feb. 27 and seems unlikely to be ready for Opening Day, but the Orioles are keeping the door cracked.

Grayson Rodriguez played catch again today and “it went well,” according to manager Brandon Hyde.

Emmanuel Rivera remains out due to a sore left shoulder. Chayce McDermott will have a light bullpen session on Saturday. Trevor Rogers is playing catch but is "a long way away," Hyde said.

Closer Félix Bautista is pitching tonight in the last home exhibition game.

SARASOTA, Fla. – Félix Bautista has become a mountainous riddle.

His fastball touches 98 mph, which it’s done multiple times. He says that his arm feels good and yes, of course, he’s going to be on the Opening Day roster. His last outing was scoreless and hitless with two strikeouts. He retired the side in order after twice running the count full.

The scoreboard radar readings had Bautista at 96 mph, 96, 95, 93 for the first out; 82, 88, 86, 96, 96, 96 for the second out; and 84, 98, 85, 97, 97, 88, 97 and 86 to end the inning. He threw some good splitters.

This isn’t 2023 All-Star Bautista, but he seems to be trending that way. It was supposed to be a gradual build.

The list of relievers last night behind Tomoyuki Sugano didn’t include Bautista, which raised some eyebrows because of the gap between appearances. The media was told that he threw on the back fields, like most of the starters. More innings can be squeezed outside the Grapefruit League.

SARASOTA, Fla. – Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman found a different way to bond with Japanese pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano and to learn more about his new teammate. They got away from the field and the clubhouse. They got away from baseball.

They played a round of golf this week.

“He’s a funny guy, just a cool dude,” Rutschman said tonight. “I know with the language barrier it’s kind of tough sometimes to make those connections, but he seems like a really down-to-earth guy. He works his butt off every single day. Just to see a guy like that in a new environment and getting comfortable and doing his thing has been really cool for me to watch, and I think everyone else.”

Who’s the better golfer?

“He is,” Rutschman said without hesitation. “He’s really good.”

SARASOTA, Fla. – Charlie Morton will start the second game of the season on March 28 against the Blue Jays in Toronto. Two-thirds of the rotation is confirmed.

Zach Eflin is the Opening Day starter on March 27. Dean Kremer and Tomoyuki Sugano, who pitches tonight, will slot further down.

Morton, 41, has tossed six scoreless innings in his three spring starts. He signed a $15 million contract in January and is entering his 18^th major league season.

“He’s been everything,” said manager Brandon Hyde. “He’s been an amazing influence on our team so far already. Just with his interactions with guys. He’s throwing the ball extremely well, he looks great. That’s just Charlie Morton.

“The stuff he’s thrown out every time out has been really good. He’s brought a lot to our team already.”

SARASOTA, Fla. – The penultimate home game of the exhibition season finds Ramón Urías in tonight’s lineup for the Orioles. Gunnar Henderson, however, remains out of it.

Urías is playing third base, Jackson Holliday is at shortstop and Jordan Westburg is at second base.

Tyler O’Neill is in left field, Colton Cowser is in center and Heston Kjerstad is in right.

Cedric Mullins is leading off and serving as designated hitter.

Hot-hitting Ryan Mountcastle is out of the lineup.

SARASOTA, Fla. – Three more days and the Orioles break camp, play the Nationals in D.C., fly to Toronto, work out and begin a season that could deliver their first playoff win since 2014. Congratulations, it's an oh boy!

Tucked somewhere within this stretch is a finalized roster for March 27, with media curious whether it’s safe to report by Sunday’s game against the Braves in North Port or if the Orioles could wait until Monday.

Two years ago, they announced the Danny Coulombe trade with the Twins on the last day in camp. Colton Cowser broke the news of his inclusion on the Opening Day roster last spring after Orioles played the Twins in Fort Myers. He stood in the hallway outside the visiting clubhouse, revealed that he had just received confirmation from executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias and manager Brandon Hyde, and wondered if he committed a faux pas.

“I was just informed that I made the club. I’m excited,” he said.

Cowser stopped, turned to a team official and asked, “Was I supposed to say that?”

SARASOTA, Fla. – The Orioles made more roster cuts heading into their second off-day of the spring, getting down to 41 players. Six of them are non-roster invitees

None of the players in that latter group were expected to break camp with the team. Catcher Samuel Basallo is a high-profile prospect, tops in the organization, who had no chance at age 20 and with only 86 plate appearances at the Triple-A level. But he was fun while he lasted.

Who’s left?

Reliever Matt Bowman

The Orioles re-signed Bowman to a minor league contract on Dec. 23 after he declined an outright assignment a month earlier and elected free agency. He pitched for four teams last season. For a brief time he had none.

SARASOTA, Fla. – Every pitch and every inning felt like they weighed a ton on a scale of importance.

Spring training results aren’t supposed to matter. The games don’t count.

Don’t tell that to Cade Povich.

Povich and Albert Suárez are battling for the last rotation spot. Suárez allowed one run in five innings in Lakeland in his most recent start. The Orioles switched Charlie Morton to the back fields this afternoon to get his six ups, removing Povich from a piggyback role and putting him first against the Blue Jays’ regular-heavy lineup.

In response, Povich tossed five hitless innings. No runs allowed, three walks, six strikeouts, and much more for the Orioles to consider.

SARASOTA, Fla. – The sight and sounds were calming. Gunnar Henderson walking up to the cage this afternoon for batting practice. Loud line drives ripped into the outfield. The shortstop smiling with teammates.

Henderson made his first real bid for inclusion on the Opening Day roster by hitting on the field. He still must get into games, which is most important, and the Orioles are off Wednesday.

The layoff is a long one, with Henderson’s last game on Feb. 27. He strained his right intercostal while catching Bo Bichette’s line drive in the first inning.

Henderson is receiving daily treatments, and today’s session could get him into Thursday’s lineup if he responds well to it.

The Orioles haven't decided whether they'd keep Henderson on the active roster and play short-handed if he couldn't participate in the first few games in Toronto.

SARASOTA, Fla. – In describing Enrique Bradfield Jr. following the Spring Breakout game in Sarasota, a scout from outside the organization pretty much nailed it in four words.

“He’s a total disruptor.”

This is meant in a good way, of course. Not the kind who gets detention after school.

Bradfield provided an example of his disruptive nature in the first inning against the Yankees’ prospects. He slaps a two-strike single into left field, goes first to third with ease on an errant pickoff throw and bolts home on a wild pitch. Pitchers become distracted. The defense tightens from the pressure that he applies.

The scout said he’s done a 180 on Bradfield since a couple of years ago. He uses Kenny Lofton as a comp for the 2023 first-round draft pick. The questions about whether Bradfield will hit are growing silent.

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson hit on the field earlier today in Sarasota, went through more defensive drills and is progressing well, according to manager Brandon Hyde. However, Hyde added that Henderson remains “a little bit away from game activity.”

That isn’t good.

Time is running out on Henderson with the last exhibition next Monday in D.C. The Orioles break camp the previous day after playing the Braves in North Port.

The Orioles traveled to Fort Myers today to face the Red Sox. Livan Soto hit leadoff and started at shortstop.

Henderson isn’t expected to make the Opening Day roster if he can’t get back into the spring lineup.

FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Orioles are keeping their everyday players back in Sarasota today for a morning workout and a break, with backups and minor leaguers facing the Red Sox at JetBlue Park.

Samuel Basallo is playing first base and Coby Mayo is at third. Gary Sáchez is catching.

Dylan Beavers is in left field and Enrique Bradfield Jr. is in center.

Ramón Urías (left hamstring) and Emmanuel Rivera (left shoulder) remain out of the lineup. Urías hasn’t played since Wednesday and Rivera since Thursday, but their returns are coming soon.

Right-hander Roansy Contreras is starting for the Orioles. He’s made four relief appearances and allowed five runs and six hits in 5 1/3 innings. He’s also surrendered three home runs.

SARASOTA, Fla. – The internet doesn’t have space limitations except for mailbags. There’s got to be a cutoff. Land the plane at some point. Spirit Airlines is taking volunteers. Live to write another day.

This is the day to share the leftovers, with the same minimal editing and mailbag flexes.

You come at the king, you best not miss.

Do you feel like the Orioles are being ignored as potential division winners? I’ve seen a lot of “the Red Sox have to be favorites with the Yankees injuries” or, “the door is open for the Blue Jays and Rays” or even “the Yankees are still 100 percent making the playoffs” (from Chris Rose) and no one expecting much from the O’s.
If it makes you feel any better, and that’s why I’m here, PECOTA has the Orioles with 88.4 wins – I’d bet heavy on them not hitting that exact total – and only the Rangers are calculated with more at 90.3. There’s your respect. The Yankees dropped to third place in the division behind the Blue Jays after Gerrit Cole’s elbow injury. Maybe this is bad news because PECOTA usually comes in low on the Orioles, but let’s keep it positive. I worry about you.

Fast forward to Sept. 1. Zach Eflin, Dean Kremer, Charlie Morton, Tomoyuki Sugano and Cade Povich are all pitching pretty well. Grayson Rodriguez, Kyle Bradish and Tyler Wells are healthy. Who’s making regular starts from Sept. 1 to the clinching game of the World Series?
And don’t say “your mom.” Oh wait … I’ll predict that Wells is in the bullpen and given another chance to start in 2026. I’d put Bradish in the rotation but that’s assuming he’s pitching again by September. I don’t see a world where Grayson Rodriguez isn’t in the rotation when he’s healthy. Eflin is a lock. Povich might have to be optioned if he’s just pitching “pretty well.” Morton might retire and be a greeter at Walmart. An age joke! I kid.

SARASOTA, Fla. – Jorge Mateo felt great physically. He was better emotionally.

Mateo finally made it back into the lineup this afternoon after undergoing reconstructive-elbow surgery on Aug. 29. A meaningless exhibition game was ultra-important to him. He needed it.

“It was amazing,” he said. “I was so excited. Just to be there on the field with my teammates, that was unbelievable to me.”

Mateo saw one pitch in the second inning and bounced to third baseman Edmundo Sosa. He struck out on three pitches in the fourth.

In the field, Mateo handled every ball hit his way and had back-to-back assists in the fourth. He started a 6-4-3 double play to end the first inning and covered the bag for a force in the fifth, throwing late on an attempted DP.

SARASOTA, Fla. – The long wait is over for Jorge Mateo. He gets to appear in his first game today since injuring his left elbow on July 23 and undergoing reconstructive surgery a month later.

The Orioles haven’t sounded as optimistic as Mateo about his availability for Opening Day. Today’s start at shortstop could be an indication that he remains in play or that he’ll be able to leave the injured list when he’s eligible.

“Jorgie was a big loss for us last year,” said manager Brandon Hyde. “He adds so much to our team – versatility, the speed. I love his energy he brings on a daily basis. We missed that last year.

“This is his first step back, a big step back in his rehab, to get a little game action.”

Mateo will rest Monday rather than make the trip to Fort Myers to play the Red Sox. The Orioles wrap up the Grapefruit League schedule March 23 in North Port.

SARASOTA, Fla. – Jorge Mateo is making his spring debut this afternoon by starting at shortstop against the Phillies in a split-squad game at Ed Smith Stadium.

Mateo has recovered from late-August reconstructive surgery on his left elbow. He’s engaged in full baseball activities and waited for clearance to play.

Today, it happens.

Gunnar Henderson remains out of the lineup with a strained right intercostal and his status is questionable for Opening Day. Mateo could be the replacement if Henderson goes on the injured list, but manager Brandon Hyde said a few days ago that it was "pretty doubtful" Mateo would be ready due to a lack of at-bats.

Mateo is batting seventh. Jordan Westburg is leading off and playing third base.