Orioles cut Armbruester, Johnson, Stallings, 3 others; Povich excited about ‘Breakout’ start; Games to remain on Comcast

SARASOTA, Florida—The Orioles made their first cuts of the spring on Friday, optioning right-handed pitcher Seth Johnson to Triple-A Norfolk, and reassigning left-handed pitcher Ronald Guzmán, right-handers Jonathan Armbruester, Garrett Stallings and Nathan Webb and catcher Silas Ardoin to minor league camp.

Johnson, who had Tommy John surgery after he was acquired from Tampa Bay as part of the August 2022 trade that sent Trey Mancini to Houston, started and pitched two scoreless innings on February 26^th against Atlanta in North Port in his only Grapefruit League appearance. He’s the Orioles’ 11^th-ranked prospect, according to MLB Pipeline.

He pitched 10 1/3 innings for the Florida Complex League Orioles, Single-A Delmarva, High-A Aberdeen and Double-A Bowie as part of this rehab  assignment.

Armbruester, the 21^st-ranked prospect, allowed one hit, striking out three in three scoreless innings on February 26^th against Tampa Bay.

Stallings threw three scoreless innings against Boston on February 24^th.

“We feel like all three of those guys threw the ball well,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “Good to see them pitch in front of the major league coaching staff. I expect them to go to the minor leagues and, hopefully, be a phone call away, stay ready. I thought they performed extremely well here. Making cuts right now is going to be part of the process. We want them to go down and get some work in and stay ready.”

Guzmán, a converted outfielder/first baseman, arrived in camp late from the Dominican Republic because of visa issues and didn’t pitch in a game. Webb is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery a year ago and didn’t pitch in a game, and Ardoin was 3-for-4 (.750) with two RBIs in seven games.

The spring training roster has 57 players.

Povich excited for Spring Breakout start: Left-handed Cade Povich, the 10^th-rated prospect, will start for the Orioles in their Spring Breakout game against the Pittsburgh Pirates prospects. The Orioles have the top-ranked farm system, and the Pirates are ranked second.

“I think it’s definitely something really cool,” Povich said. “We have a ton of good guys on our side ,and I know they have a bunch of good guys on theirs. It’s definitely going to be a lot of fun and definitely an honor to be pitching in it.”

The seven-inning game will follow the regularly scheduled Orioles-Pirates game at LECOM Park in Bradenton on March 14^th at 7 p.m. It will be televised on MLB Network.

“I think it’s cool how they’re doing it,” Povich said. “Having the major league spring training game beforehand, see the team that’s now, and after, watch the team that’s the future.”

Povich, 23, is pleased that the game is televised because family and friends don’t often get a chance to watch him.

“Not a lot of people, especially back home, have been able to watch too much yet. I think that will be something really cool for them.”

Samuel Basallo, the 17^th-ranked prospect in baseball, will get an at-bat or two as the Orioles’ designated hitter in the game. Hyde said that the 19-year-old catcher, who has a stress fracture in his right elbow, would bat in a game next week before the prospect game.

“It’s a nice little showcase for them,” Hyde said.

Games back on Comcast

Oriole games will again be televised on Xfinity’s cable package this season. The Mid-Atlantic Sports Network and Comcast reached agreement  to keep Orioles and Nationals games on the service, but MASN and MASN2 will be part of a new and more costly tier.

The games have been on Xfinity’s Popular TV tier, and they’ll now more to Ultimate TV.

“We look forward to sharing another exciting season of more than 300 Nationals and Orioles baseball games with our valued customers,” said MASN senior vice president John McGuinness in a statement.