PORT CHARLOTTE, Florida–What’s happening? Zach Eflin made his spring training debut, throwing 2 1/3 scoreless innings in the Orioles’ 4-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays before 3,305 at Charlotte Sports Park on Thursday.
Eflin, who had back surgery in August and was re-signed by the Orioles in late December, allowed a double to Ryan Vilade with one out in the second, struck out three and was removed after walking Kenny Piper to start the third. He threw 40 pitches.
Reliever Andrew Kittredge, who’s unlikely to be ready by Opening Dat, said he’s not concerned about the inflammation in his right shoulder.
“I really don’t think it’s all that serious,” Kittredge said on Thursday morning in Sarasota. In Kittredge’s only outing of the spring, he allowed three runs, two earned, on one hit, a home run, walking one and striking out one against the Rays on February 25th.
“It was more barking a little bit after that game,” Kittredge said. “Just trying to slow the ramp-up. Every conversation I had with the docs and the training staff doesn’t seem like anything real serious. I think it got to the point where it was working backwards from [March 26th] Opening Day to now
“It became more of a question whether or not I could be ready. I think it’s more cautionary at this point. I don’t think it’s out of the realm that it would be close to Opening Day, but unlikely to be Opening Day.”
Kittredge, who’ll turn 36, had left knee surgery last March and missed nearly two months of the season. He doesn’t think he’ll miss that much time with his current injury. He said he’s had shoulder discomfort before, but not as noticeable as this one.
“The discomfort tweaked a little mechanic here and there, but when I got into camp, I was feeling pretty good, but over the first two weeks it got a little crankier, and the game action just did a little more to it than I would have liked.
“Everything seems encouraging. I’m encouraged. I like where I’m at looking forward.”
The Orioles play their final Grapefruit League game on March 21st, and Kittredge hopes to be pitching by then.
“That is the goal,” he said. “We’re shooting for to start throwing again soon and get into games before camp’s over with. I’m not entirely sure what that looks like or when that might be, but that is the plan. I don’t think it should be too long down before we’re ramping back up again.” “
What happened? Eflin was pleased with his outing.
“There’s really no feeling like it, honestly,” Eflin said. “Having a brand new back, not feeling anything out there, being able to go back to my old mechanics, it’s just a breath of fresh air.
“I think there was a lot of buildup. It was probably seven months since I threw a competitive pitch. There’s a lot of nerves coming and going into this. Being able to pitch every single pitch, healthy strong, how I wanted to was extremely refreshing.”
Eflin felt no restrictions.
“Normally the goal in spring is to be able to locate, up, down and out, all that stuff,” he said. “I did that for the most part today. I was happy with the shapes of the pitches. Moreso happy with how I felt, and how I feel tomorrow, I know I’m going to feel good.”
Manager Craig Albernaz was satisfied.
“Another step in the right direction, a box for him to check, and he looked good and he came out good,” Albernaz said. “He was throwing good and had a real good feel for all of his pitches. It was good to see.”
Eflin probably has three more Grapefruit League starts remaining.
“I don’t think I’ve ever had a number getting ready for spring training for the season, but I feel like I’m perfectly on track for anything, really,” Eflin said.
“I came into spring training being available for the first week of the season, and I feel like I’m still on that track. I feel healthy, and I think as these outings come and I go three innings, four innings, I feel we’ll have a better understanding of where we’re at. My mind’s on the first week of the season.”
Andrew Magno, Jackson Kowar, Anthony Nunez, Cameron Foster and Enoli Paredes each pitched scoreless innings. Eric Torres allowed two runs in the eighth, and minor leaguer Carlos Tavera gave up a run in the ninth.
Will Robertson hit a two-run home run. José Barrero also homered. Dylan Beavers tripled. Beavers, who spent the last six weeks of the 2025 season with the Orioles, is hitting .250. He hopes to start 2026 with the team.
“I think I have a better chance this year than I did last year,” Beavers said. “Now I know I’m capable of it. It’s in there. Most of the time people care what you’ve done for them lately. I don’t think I’m ever going to feel comfortable and secure.”
Longtime Orioles centerfielder Cedric Mullins, who signed with Tampa Bay, is out with lower back tightness.
What’s up with Weston Wilson? The 31-year-old Wilson was claimed off waivers from Philadelphia on January 22nd. He was removed from the 40-man roster after the Orioles acquired Bryan Ramos and is in camp on a minor league contract.
Wilson, who plays first base, second base, third base and the outfield, hit .242 in 100 games with the Phillies over the last three years.
“I didn’t know what to expect,” Wilson said. “It was my first time getting [designated for assignment]. The whole process is new to me. For them to claim me, they cared to a certain extent to have me. I’m excited for the opportunity, whatever comes my way. I’m going to play hard and see what happens.”
Wilson was the designated hitter on Thursday. He struck out three times and walked. Wilson is hitting .417.
He learned a lot from his time in Philadelphia.
“Either way, I’ve got to do my job,” Wilson said. “Those fans bring it. They’re the ones showing up every game. There are 40,000 there. You can’t be too mad at them. Sometimes, it’s not really logical. You’re going to take bad when you’ve got a bunch of good, too.
“I’m excited. I’ve heard good things about Camden. I’m looking forward to playing there.”
What’s what? Albernaz, who returned to Port Charlotte for the first time since he left the Rays’ organization after the 2019 season, visited the Orioles’ minor league camp at Twin Lakes Park on Thursday, the first day of minor league camp.
He spoke with the staff and he addressed the minor league players.
“People want you to talk, which I did not mind,” Albernaz said. “We talked about my [minor league] upbringing here, and how special that was.”
What’s the word? “It’s a lot of fun, man. A lot of crap talk. A lot of really good dudes. We’re honestly having a blast. I feel like we’ve been playing together for 10 years.”-Eflin on the clubhouse vibe.
What’s the number? 87. That was the gametime temperature in Port Charlotte.
What’s the record? 6-5-1. Chris Bassitt will start for the second time this spring when the Orioles host the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday at 1:05 p.m. at Ed Smith Stadium. Bassitt allowed two runs on two hits in two innings in his first start. St. Louis is starting Michael McGreevy. The game will be televised on MASN with Kevin Brown and Ben McDonald on the call.
Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: [email protected]