Eflin pitches well, O’Neill delivers 2-run single before rain cancels Orioles-Yankees game

SARASOTA—What’s happening? Sunday night’s Orioles-Yankees game was canceled by rain in the top of the third inning.

Zach Eflin started for the second time this spring and retired the first six Yankees hitters, striking out four before Spencer Jones singled and the rain made the field unplayable.

The Ed Smith Stadium grounds crew belatedly covered much of the field, leaving third base uncovered.

Orioles manager Craig Albernaz, president of baseball operations Mike Elias and assistant general manager Eve Rosenbaum huddled with Yankees officials, crew chief Mike Estabrook and stadium management after rain began falling.

They attempted to manicure the third base area, and when rain resumed, the field was again covered and the game canceled.

Tyler O’Neill, in his first game since playing for Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic, hit a two-run single in the first inning, giving the Orioles a 2-0 lead against Paul Blackburn.

The Orioles optioned left-hander Cade Povich to minor league camp. They have 51 players, including 15 non-roster invitees and pitchers Félix Bautista and Colin Selby, who are on the 60-day injured list.

Pitchers Jose Espada and Rico Garcia and infielder Luis Vázquez are expected back on Tuesday from the World Baseball Classic’s Team Puerto Rico.

Fans holding tickets for Sunday night’s game can exchange them for the remaining four home spring training games. They can email them to: srqtickets@orioles.com with their account number and the exchange date. If an exchange date is chosen by March 21^st, a full refund will be issued to your account.

What happened? Even though these statistics don’t count, Eflin has thrown 4 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing two hits, striking out seven.

The Orioles have been cautious with him after he had back surgery last August.

“He’s exceeded my expectations with just how he’s moving,” Albernaz said before the game. “When you have a back issue you’ve been dealing with it all year and you’re coming into it for spring training, you don’t know how a player’s going to respond. I’ve been pleasantly surprised where he’s at just how he’s moving around the mound, how efficient he is. He’s been throwing the ball well.”

What’s up with Yennier Cano? The 32-year-old right-hander was scheduled to pitch along with Keegan Akin, Ryan Helsley and Enoli Paredes.

Cano has allowed four earned runs on eight hits in six innings with one walk and seven strikeouts. 

“Feeling great, especially with the new pitches I’m working on and trying to incorporate,” Cano said through a team translator. “That includes the splitter, trying to use the slider a lot more. Trying to find new ways to incorporate them more.”

Cano thinks the Orioles’ bullpen can be a strength.

“I feel really good about it,” he said. “I feel like we have some really good arms in the bullpen, a lot of young arms as well. Some of the guys I knew about, some I didn’t. They all have really good stuff. Some of them are hitting 97, 98 consistently. I think they’re going to bring a fresh energy to the bullpen.” 

What’s what? The Orioles got adequate work done after the rain stopped the game because of their new $23 million training facility.

What’s the word? “I think [Grant] Wolfram is one of them. The other day I was tossing with him. He told me I was going to throw a sweeper, and when I saw it, I said, ‘Wow, you weren’t throwing that before.’ I was like, ‘You have to throw it, that’s a really good pitch.’ It’s going to be exciting to see how he incorporates that pitch this year.”-Cano on who impresses him in the bullpen. 

What’s the number? 1. This was the first rainout of the spring for the Orioles. Rain hadn’t affected any games or workouts before Sunday.

What’s the record? 8-11-2. The Orioles will host the Boston Red Sox at Ed Smith Stadium at 6: 05 p.m. on Monday. Kyle Bradish will start against Sonny Gray. Bradish, who allowed one hit in five scoreless innings against Pittsburgh in his last start, has a 3.60 ERA in three spring starts.

Ben Wagner and Ryan Ripken will have the call on MASN.

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