CLEVELAND—When Orioles manager Craig Albernaz walked into the visitor’s manager office at Progressive Field on Thursday, he found that the furniture was kid-sized. Immediately, he knew that his mentor and opponent for the next four games, Guardians manager Stephen Vogt had played a trick on him.
Vogt, who attended Albernaz’s introductory press conference last November in Baltimore, thoroughly prepared Albernaz for his new job. In 2024 and 2025, Albernaz was bench coach and associate manager of the Guardians.
“The past two years here were special,” Albernaz said. “It’s not every day you get to work with one of your best friends.
“That’s a relationship we’re always going to keep. We’re competitors for this series, so it’s going to be a fun time. This series means a lot, but it’s also in April. We’ve got to make sure that each side is doing what they can do to win.
“It’s not so much what the opposing dugout is doing. It’s getting our players prepared and ready to play. That’s something we see through the same lens.”
Cleveland won’t play in Baltimore until September 7th-9th.
Orioles recall Cameron Foster
The Orioles added right-handed pitcher Cameron Foster from Triple-A Norfolk and optioned catcher Maverick Handley to Norfolk.
Foster is 0-1 with a 10.50 ERA in six games with Norfolk.
“The first thing that stands out is his stuff,” Albernaz said. “His stuff is real. It’s a real quality heater. His slider is elite.”
Foster came to the Orioles last July in the trade that sent left-handed reliever Gregory Soto to the New York Mets and pitched well during Grapefruit League games this spring.
He rejoins Anthony Nunez, a minor league teammate in the Mets organization, who came to the Orioles in the trade for Cedric Mullins last July.
“I finally get my throwing partner back,” Foster said. “We did the minors together last year, and we’re really close. It’s fun to be back, and it’s like we never left.”
Handley, whose contract was purchased from Double-A Chesapeake when Adley Rutschman went on the injured list, did not play in any of the five games he was active for.
While he’s on option, Handley is the taxi squad catcher for the road trip.
The Orioles also traded right-hander Chayce McDermott to the Los Angeles Dodgers for minor league right-hander Axel Perez. Entering last season, McDermott was the Orioles’ top minor league pitching prospect.
McDermott was 0-1 with a 12.79 ERA in five games with the Orioles in 2024 and 2025.
The Orioles have re-signed left-handed pitcher Riley Cooper to a minor league contract. Cooper was the Orioles’ 13th round pick in the 2023 draft and released last year.
Orioles-Guardians lineups:
Orioles
Taylor Ward-LF
Gunnar Henderson-DH
Pete Alonso-1B
Johnathan Rodriguez-RF
Samuel Basallo-C
Jeremiah Jackson-2B
Coby Mayo-3B
Leody Taveras-CF
Blaze Alexander-SS
Shane Baz-RHP
Guardians
Steven Kwan-CF
Chase DeLauter-DH
José Ramírez-3B
Kyle Manzardo-1B
George Valera-RF
Angel Martinez-LF
Juan Brito-2B
Austin Hedges-C
Brayan Rocchio-SS
Parker Messick-LHP
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