CLEARWATER, Florida—What’s happening? Trevor Rogers has been named the Orioles’ Opening Day starter. Rogers will start against the Minnesota Twins at Oriole Park on March 26th.
Manager Craig Albernaz said that reliever Andrew Kittredge, who’s likely to begin the season on the injured list due to right shoulder inflammation, is improving.
“He’s trending. The catch play has been encouraging, so he’s on the right track,” Albernaz said.
Kittredge has said he hoped to pitch in a game before the team leaves Florida on March 21st.
“Everything is a possibility,” Albernaz said. “It all depends on how he’s progressing.”
Jackson Holliday, who’s out following surgery to remove the hamate bone from his right wrist and Jordan Westburg, who had a platelet-rich-plasma injection in his right elbow are also doing well, Albernaz said.
Both will start the season on the injured list.
“They’ve been great. Westy’s getting ground balls. He’s been running,” Albernaz said.
“Jackson has been the same. He’s been taking ground balls, started his hitting progression, and he’s been throwing. They’re both on the right track of where they need to get to, and we’re listening to them, listening to medical to make sure we’re doing right by them.”
Ryan Mountcastle’s right hand is fine, he says and he expects to play on Saturday. Mountcastle was hit by a pitch in Wednesday’s game and X-rays on the hand were negative.
What happened? Samuel Basallo drove in five runs with a two-run homer, his first of the spring and a two-run double in the Orioles’ 11-8 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies before 10,378 at BayCare Ballpark on Friday.
Basallo, who’s batting .320 this spring is feeling comfortable at the plate.
“I’m feeling really good right now,” Basallo said through a team translator. “I feel like all the work I’ve put in in the offseason, we’re seeing it payoff right now.”
He only played 31 games with the Orioles, hitting .165 and feels in a much better position this year than he did last year.
“Last year, when I came up, I came up in August. That time of year, your body starts to feel it a little bit,” Basallo said.
“It’s a new level as well. It’s challenging. I feel like coming into this year, this season, I feel a lot more comfortable, a lot more patient this time around, so I feel a lot better going into the season. I feel like I’m in a better position going into it than I was last year when I debuted.”
Basallo caught Rogers at both Triple-A Norfolk and with the Orioles last season.
“I just found out that he’s going to be the [opening day] starter,” Basallo said. “It’s great. I’m very proud of him. I’m very happy for him. He’s someone who went through a difficult year-and-a-half, and to see where he is now, it’s incredible.”
Jeremiah Jackson played second base and was hitless in three at-bats. He hadn’t played since March 5th due to a calf injury.
“Just trying to be smart. I don’t want to push anything right now,” Jackson said.
Albernaz has played him at both third and on Friday, at second base.
“He looks great over there,” Albernaz said. “With anyone that’s always played on the left side of the infield, Jeremiah came up as a shortstop, he played third base last year…He’s adapted to it well. He’s been doing great work. We love versatility. With J.J., the more positions he can play, the better.”
Jackson played right field last year, and Albernaz says he’d like to get him some time there in the final week of Grapefruit League games.
“Taking on the role of utility has been a good opportunity for me,” Jackson said. “Second base has been good. [Infield coach Miguel] Cairo has been awesome. It’s been easy to go out and work and get better. It’s more so about being available and playing wherever they need me to.”
Pete Alonso had two hits and Willy Vasquez homered.
Cade Povich started and allowed three runs on one hit, a two-run home run by Alec Bohm. He walked five and struck out four in 2 2/3 innings. Albernaz removed him with one out in the third, replacing him with minor leaguer Dylan Heid. Povich re-entered and pitched the third inning, throwing 68 pitches,
“A lack of strikes,” Albernaz said. “We had a bunch of three-ball counts. To his credit, just the one home run to Alec Bohm. Other than that, he did a good job of controlling the damage. Strike quality for him, it wasn’t what we’re used to.”
In his previous 5 2/3 innings, he allowed a run on two hits.
Tyler Wells, who had thrown six scoreless innings, allowed four runs on three hits, including Bohm’s second home run.
Yennier Cano allowed a run on two hits in the sixth and Jackson Kowar gave up two runs on one hit and a walk in the seventh.
What’s up with Grant Wolfram? Last season, Wolfram was 3-1 with a 5.40 ERA in 21 games in his first major league season. He’s hoping to make the Opening Day roster after a strong spring.
“That would be really special, if that were the case,” Wolfram said. “I’m obviously not trying to think about it. I’m focusing on what I’m throwing, staying in the moment against the hitters I’m facing. Whatever happens, happens.”
“I feel good. I feel like I had a good offseason. I feel like that time that I was able to spend up in the big leagues last year was really a nice confidence boost just because you were able to get your feet under you. The more times you get out there…the way that the game feels becomes a little bit more normal to you.”
He pitched a spotless fourth and has allowed two hits in six scoreless innings.
“Kind of getting redundant right now with Wolfie coming in and doing what he’s doing,” Albernaz said.
What’s what? It’s possible that Gunnar Henderson, who’s playing for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, could rejoin the Orioles this weekend if Canada wins Friday night’s game. If Team USA reaches the final on March 17th, Henderson may have just a few games playing with unfamiliar infielders.
“In spring training, you can’t curate the third baseman playing with the shortstop and second baseman playing with the shortstop,” Albernaz said.
“Ideally, the second baseman and the shortstop want to learn each other, especially with double play feeds and what-not, but ultimately I value the reps at that position, how they can get them.
“Each player’s buildup is individualized. That’s what we’re focused on now, individualized buildup of all our guys.”
What’s the word? “Getting out there and getting that confidence, getting some of those guys out who are superstars, those are big confidence boosters to a player.”–Wolfram on how last year’s experience helped him.
What’s the number? 5. Rogers is the fifth different Orioles Opening Day starter in as many years. Zach Eflin (2025), Corbin Burnes (2024), Kyle Gibson (2023) and John Means (2022) are the others.
What’s the record? 8-10-2. Rogers starts for the Orioles when they play the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday at 1:05 p.m. at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Florida. Carmen Mlodzinski starts for Pittsburgh.
Ben Wagner and Ryan Ripken have the call on MASN. Brett Hollander will broadcast the game on WBAL Radio/98 Rock.
Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: [email protected]