SARASOTA-What’s happening? After a tough morning for the Orioles, Pete Alonso gave them a lift, homering in his first Grapefruit League game as an Oriole in a 2-0 win over the Yankees that also included two scoreless innings from starter Trevor Rogers.
The Orioles needed the lift after president of baseball operations Mike Elias announced that third baseman Jordan Westburg has a partial tear in the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. Elias said Westburg would receive treatment, rather than surgery at this time, in the hope that he can return sometime in May. Westburg was to receive a platelet-rich plasma injection.
Last week, Elias announced that second baseman Jackson Holliday would miss at least the first few weeks of the season after surgery to remove a broken hamate bone in his right wrist. That means the Orioles will be without their starting second and third basemen to start the season.
It also means that Blaze Alexander, who was acquired from Arizona earlier this month, will get plenty of playing time.
“That being highlighted has come way too quick,” Elias said. “Neither of these injuries were in place when the trade happened, believe it or not. We just knew that we would need more quality infield depth than having our four main guys. You need more than that. We made the trade for Blaze. He’s going to be a big presence now.”
On Friday, Jeremiah Jackson started at second base and Coby Mayo at third. It’s also an opportunity for them.
“When something happens like this, there’s opportunities for other guys,” manager Craig Albernaz said.
The Orioles’ non-roster infielders are: Payton Eeles, Luis Vázquez, Willy Vázquez Weston Wilson.
“It gives opportunities for all those guys as well,” Albernaz said. “We want to give everyone that’s in camp an opportunity.”
The Orioles claimed third baseman Bryan Ramos off waivers from the St.. Louis Cardinals. Ramos was purchased from the Chicago White Sox on February 1st and lost on waivers five days later when the Orioles traded for Alexander.
He hit .198 with three home runs and 13 RBIs in 36 games with the White Sox in 2024 and 2025.
To make room for Ramos, the Orioles placed Félix Bautista on the 60-day injured list. Bautista is rehabbing from labrum and rotator cuff surgery.
Reliever Keagan Gillies suffered a right quad injury that will prevent him from playing during spring training.
What’s happened? Rogers threw two shutout innings, allowing one hit, striking out three, and Alonso hit a two-run home run in the Orioles’ 2-0 win over the Yankees before a sellout crowd of 7,886.
“A win’s a win. You always want to slap hands at the end of the game,” Albernaz said.
Rogers threw 32 pitches, 23 strikes.
“My body was really moving efficiently out there,” Rogers said. “My velo is in a good spot this early. Probably the biggest thing I was really happy is the way both of my breaking balls played.
“They were competitive around the zone. So now as camp moves on, we can tighten the location and get more strikes out of it, but I got some good swings and misses, weak contact, so I was really happy with it. In the back of your head, you want a clean first outing of spring and build up to it.”
Rogers was pumped for the Grapefruit League opener start.
“I got chills during the National Anthem when they yelled ‘O’ again. I needed to hear that,” Rogers said.
Rogers and Kyle Bradish are competing to start Opening Day.
“Bradish, he’s the man,” Rogers said. “He’s got some of the most elite stuff in baseball. I don’t really look at it as competition. He’s my teammate. I’ll always root for him. If he gets the nod, I’ll be rooting for him. If I get the nod, that’s great. I want to pitch in Camden. That’s all I care about. Whatever gives this team the best chance to win, I’m all for it.”
Alonso played six innings, had three at-bats, and wanted an extra at-bat since he’s off on Saturday.
“I think getting as many looks from different arms is always a good thing,” Alonso said. “What’s three more outs on defense? What’s one more at-bat? I want to get as many reps in a competitive environment as possible to get ready for the year.”
Albernaz is impressed with Alonso’s attitude.
“He just wants to play,” Albernaz said.
Alonso is from nearby Tampa and had plenty of family and friends on hand for his first game as an Oriole.
“Homers feel amazing. It doesn’t matter what time of the year,” Alonso said.
Keegan Akin, Rico Garcia, Grant Wolfram and Jose Espada pitched hitless innings. Trey Gibson allowed two hits in three innings, recording the save.
What’s up with Payton Eeles? The 26-year-old Eeles was an undrafted free agent by Minnesota and traded to the Orioles for catcher Alex Jackson in November.
“I was just excited. I thought it was a cool opportunity,” Eeles said. “I wasn’t really expecting it at the time because if you paid attention, the Twins trade a lot of guys during the season, so I figured it was going to happen then.”
Eeles, who’s played second base, shortstop, third base and the outfield in the minors, is 5-feet-5 and in his first spring training. He wasn’t signed by the Twins until May 2024 and missed last year’s spring training with a knee injury.
He said second is his best position, though he’s getting more comfortable in the outfield.
With Holliday and Westburg out and Gunnar Henderson playing for Team USA, Eeles will get plenty of time in the infield this spring.
“Whether those guys are out or not, it doesn’t change my outlook,” Eeles said. “I’m going in to be a guy to help wherever possible, whether it’s in the infield or the outfield. I’m cool with doing whatever and being an asset sometime during the season.”
What’s what? Mayo, who played first base last season, will mostly be a third baseman for the foreseeable future.
“We’re going to see him a lot at third base,” Elias said. “It’s something that he’s always done. He’s played there for much of his life. We’ve got a new coaching staff that wants to see him and work with him there and evaluate him there, and we just signed Pete Alonso and that puts a pretty big presence at first base.
“Both Holliday and Westburg are going to be out for this camp, so there’s going to be a lot of runway for anyone over at third to play there, so I do think we’re going to see Coby a lot at third base.
“What that means for the season or long-term, I don’t know yet, but we’ll be watching them there a lot. He’s a great defender for his size [6-4] and his body type, and he’s got a lot of arm strength. He’s a natural infielder, but the hot corner at the major league level’s really hard. Getting to that level of play is something that he’s been working on, but I think he’s in a really good spot.”
Mayo is looking forward to the opportunity.
“You stay ready and do all the work in the offseason and stay ready in spring training in case something freakish happens,” Mayo said. “I really do feel horrible, especially for Westy.”
Mayo said he’s doing extra work with infield coach Miguel Cairo and third base coach Buck Britton.
“We’re out there every day, grinding, battling, trying to get as game ready as possible,” Mayo said. “Some action during the games will help me out, too.”
What’s the word? “He’ll be front and center in this camp as one of our frontline infielders. We’re also going to see him in the outfield. You’ll see him in the outfield for this camp because that’s a part of who he’s going to be on the team long-term as well.”-Elias on Alexander
What’s the number? 13-2. Oriole pitchers struck out 13 and walked two. “I’ll take that ratio all the time,” Albernaz said.
What’s the record? 1-0. The Orioles host the Pittsburgh Pirates at Ed Smith Stadium on Saturday at 1:05 p.m. Ben Wagner and Ryan Ripken, who’ll be calling some games this season, will broadcast the game on MASN. Brett Hollander is the sole broadcaster on WBAL.
Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: [email protected]