SARASOTA—The Orioles have a day off on Monday, and with players heading to the World Baseball Classic and the first cuts looming, let’s look at how the Orioles’ roster might look on March 26th when they open the season against the Minnesota Twins at Camden Yards.
Pitchers (13)
Starters: Kyle Bradish, Trevor Rogers, Shane Baz, Chris Bassitt, Dean Kremer.
In the running: Zach Eflin, Cade Povich, Albert Suárez, Brandon Young.
Manager Craig Albernaz hasn’t named his Opening Day starter. It’s between Bradish and Rogers. Bradish has thrown five innings, allowing four runs on seven hits while Rogers, who will start against Team Netherlands on Tuesday, has given up two hits in five scoreless innings.
Baz pitched 2 1/3 hitless innings in his first start on Friday, striking out four and walking two.
Bassitt allowed two runs on Sunday in his first start, and Kremer who’ll pitch for Team Israel in the World Baseball Classic has allowed four runs on five hits in 4 2/3 innings.
Eflin, who’s returning from back surgery, has yet to start this spring. Albernaz said he’ll pitch in a Grapefruit League game for the first time after Monday’s offday.
The Orioles could begin the season with a six-man rotation or with five and one in the bullpen. For now, let’s keep it a five-man rotation with eight in the bullpen.
Relievers: Ryan Helsley, Andrew Kittredge, Tyler Wells, Keegan Akin, Yennier Cano, Dietrich Enns, Rico Garcia and Cameron Foster.
In the running: Povich, Suárez, Young, Grant Wolfram, Anthony Nunez, Jackson Kowar, Yaramil Hiraldo.
Before spring training, everyone knew that Helsley and Kittredge were the most experienced relievers and would be used in the highest-leverage situations.
It appears they’ll be joined by Wells. He’s thrown three scoreless innings, allowing one hit, striking out five without walking a batter. His second outing came four days after his first, and his third, three days later.
Cano, who is coming off a disappointing season, has allowed one earned run on four hits in three appearances, striking out five.
Akin and Enns are the only left-handers, though Wolfram appears to have a chance to make the team. Wolfram has pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings, giving up a hit and striking out six while walking one.
Garcia, who’ll pitch for Team Puerto Rico, has thrown three hitless innings, walking one and striking out four. He doesn’t have any options remaining.
Cano and Wells have options, and so does Foster, who’s pitched three scoreless innings.
“All of our relievers have stood out to us,” Albernaz said.
The 36-year-old Suárez can be useful to the team, and since he’s on a minor league contract, he can begin the season at Triple-A Norfolk.
Catchers (2): Samuel Basallo, Adley Rutschman.
In the running: Maverick Handley, Sam Huff.
The Orioles aren’t starting the season with three catchers, but if they need a catcher during the season, Handley and Huff have major league experience.
Infielders (6): Blaze Alexander, Pete Alonso, Gunnar Henderson, Coby Mayo, Ryan Mountcastle, Jeremiah Jackson.
In the running: Thairo Estrada, Bryan Ramos, Luis Vázquez, Weston Wilson.
The final three weeks of spring training will feature some interesting competition for infield spots. Before it was announced that Jackson Holliday and Jordan Westburg would start the season on the injured list, it seemed problematic that both Mayo and Mountcastle would make the 26-man roster. Now, it seems likely.
Henderson will be playing for Team USA, creating more chances for players to impress Albernaz.
Jackson has played second base during spring training. Last year, he played second and right. That versatility should help him.
Since training camp began, the Orioles have added Estrada and Ramos to the mix. Vázquez has left the team to join Garcia on Team Puerto Rico.
Outfielders (5) Dylan Beavers, Colton Cowser, Tyler O’Neill, Leody Taveras, Taylor Ward.
In the running: Heston Kjerstad.
Kjerstad has hit well this spring, and while it’s possible he makes the team, perhaps he’ll begin the year at Norfolk after his difficult 2025 season when the Orioles said they shut him down because of exhaustion.
With O’Neill also gone to the WBC to play for Team Canada, there could be opportunities for Reed Trimble, who was added to the 40-man roster, and perhaps Wilson, who also plays third base.
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