SARASOTA–Wednesday marks the beginning of the second week of spring training for the Orioles, and before we look ahead, let’s recap an eventful first week.
Holliday’s surgery, Westburg’s injury
President of baseball operations Mike Elias revealed that second baseman Jackson Holliday had broken the hamate bone in his right wrist on February 6th. Surgery was performed in Los Angeles last Thursday, and Holliday is back in camp, eager to play.
Elias said that Holliday would miss the beginning of the season.
Third baseman Jordan Westburg has a right oblique injury that he said is getting better. Westburg won’t be available for the start of Grapefruit League games on Friday, and his return date isn’t clear.
Orioles reel in Bassitt
The Orioles didn’t sign either Ranger Suárez or Framber Valdez, but they did sign right-hander Chris Bassitt, a veteran who adds to the team’s rotation.
For the moment, there are six starters: Bassitt, Kyle Bradish, Trevor Rogers, Shane Baz, Zach Eflin and Dean Kremer. Tyler Wells is also being trained as a starter.
Presumably, Cade Povich and Brandon Young will be given starter’s innings in spring games, but manager Craig Albernaz hasn’t announced who will start Friday against the New York Yankees in the first Grapefruit League game.
Clubhouse is buzzing
With the addition of free agents Bassitt, Pete Alonso and Ryan Helsley, and the addition of Baz and Taylor Ward by trade, there’s a lot more star power in the Orioles’ clubhouse.
All the new additions have upbeat personalities and the atmosphere is a fun one.
There are plenty of lively pool and ping-pong matches in the clubhouse, and it’s a much more spirited place than it has been in the past.
Albernaz’s first week
In his first week as manager, Craig Albernaz has appeared calm and confident, and he’s contended that his job doesn’t seem overwhelming. He feels at home with the players and tries to get their input on schedules and specific drills.
It’s far too early to make any judgments about him, and he hasn’t offered any clues on how he’ll run games. That must wait until the regular season.
Who will play the infield this spring?
With Holliday and Westburg out and Gunnar Henderson leaving for the World Baseball Classic on March 1st, there will be plenty of opportunities for infielders.
The primary beneficiary should be Blaze Alexander, who was acquired from Arizona on February 5th. Alexander has played second, short and third in the majors.
Weston Wilson, who’s played second base for Philadelphia, is another player who’ll get time.
Luis Vázquez’s playing time with the Orioles will be truncated by his appearance in the WBC for Team Puerto Rico. Vázquez played all four infield positions for the Orioles.
Non-roster infielders Payton Eeles and Aron Estrada should also benefit.
Coby Mayo, who played first base in the final two months of last season, is taking ground balls again at third, his original position.
Jeremiah Jackson, who played some third base in the final two months of last season, has been taking ground balls at second.
Who’s in the bullpen?
That may depend on who’s starting. If Wells moves to the bullpen, that might solidify things. If the Orioles start the season with six starters, that would mean seven relievers. If they stick with the conventional five-man rotation, then it’s an eight-man bullpen.
Keegan Akin and Dietrich Enns from the left side, Helsley and Andrew Kittredge from the right, seem good bets to start the season with the team.
Yennier Cano should start, too, and if Wells is in the bullpen, that could mean Rico Garcia, Yiramil Hiraldo, Jackson Kowar, Albert Suárez and Grant Wolfram are fighting for the final spots.
Garcia and Jose Espada join Vázquez on Team Puerto Rico, so the Orioles might have limited looks at them.
Are there any hitters who’ve stood out?
Heston Kjerstad has hit two home runs in live batting practice. There’s probably no other hitter who needs a strong spring training than Kjerstad.
During an interview on Monday, Kjerstad declined to elaborate on his absence from Triple-A Norfolk in the final two months of the season. It’s important that he shows he’s healthy and productive in Grapefruit League games.
A place on the Orioles’ Opening Day roster looks unlikely, but a strong start for Norfolk could make Kjerstad a possibility for the Orioles or a valuable trade piece.
Note: MASN will carry the March 13th game at Philadelphia at 1 p.m. It replaces the March 9th game at St. Louis.
Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: [email protected].