Hyde on Henderson: ‘We are running out of time’; Bautista uncertain for Opening Day; Morton to start Game 2

SARASOTA—After Thursday night’s Orioles-Yankees game, there are three games left on the Grapefruit League schedule for shortstop Gunnar Henderson to play. Henderson hasn’t played since February 27th when he injured an intercostal muscle on his right side.

“We’re still hopeful,” manager Brandon Hyde said on Thursday afternoon. “But we are running out of time right now. We haven’t made a final decision on that … Gunnar’s going through a normal day today, taking [batting practice]. Taking ground balls after.”

Starting pitcher Grayson Rodriguez played catch for the second time since he resumed throwing after a 10-day pause. He will begin the season on the injured list with right elbow discomfort.

Infielder Ramón Urias, who was out with a strained left hamstring, will return to the lineup Thursday, batting eighth and playing third base. Infielder Jorge Mateo, who has played in two Grapefruit League games this week, is not in the starting lineup. Mateo had Tommy John surgery on his left elbow last August.

Emmanuel Rivera is still getting treatment, Hyde said. He hasn’t played since March 13th because of a shoulder injury.

Bautista is confident, Hyde cautious

Félix Bautista threw live batting practice on the back fields this week and is scheduled to pitch on Friday night as a decision nears on his readiness for the season.

Bautista, who was the most dominant reliever in baseball in 2023, had Tommy John surgery in October 2023 feels ready to start the season.

“I feel good … I think you can say I started at zero basically,” Bautista said through a team translator. “Right now, with where I’m at, I feel like I’m really satisfied with it, so I do feel really good, and I feel satisfied with the way things have gone.”

Hyde continues to be cautious about his closer’s readiness.

“We’re still talking about our roster,” Hyde said. “We haven’t solidified anything there yet.”

Morton will start Game 2

Zach Eflin was named the Orioles’ Opening Day starter for their March 27th game at Toronto’s Rogers Centre against the Blue Jays. Hyde said Thursday that 41-year-old right-hander Charlie Morton will pitch in the second game on March 28th.

“He’s been everything,” Hyde said. “Been an amazing influence on our team so far. Just with his interactions with guys, the way he’s been throwing the ball. He looks great. Vintage Charlie Morton. The stuff he’s been throwing out every time out has been really good. He’s brought a lot to our team already.”

Eflin will start on Saturday against Pittsburgh’s Paul Skenes in Bradenton, and Morton is likely to pitch on Sunday against Atlanta in North Port.

Hyde has said that Dean Kremer and Tomoyuki Sugano, who will start Thursday night’s game,, will also be in the rotation. The Orioles are deciding between left-hander Cade Povich, who threw five hitless on Tuesday night, and right-hander Albert Suárez, who will start on Friday night, for the fifth starter.

Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com.