BALTIMORE—It’s a special Opening Day for new Orioles, and returning ones.
“Opening Day is a big day for everyone,” manager Craig Albernaz said. “Especially for the players. When you get [named to] your first Opening Day roster, it’s a special moment. I was humbled and honored to just be the one that delivered the message.”
The Orioles will begin the 2026 season against the Minnesota Twins at Camden Yards at 3:05 p.m.
Eight Orioles have made their first Opening Day roster, including catcher Samuel Basallo and outfielder Dylan Beavers. Relievers Dietrich Enns, Yaramil Hiraldo, Anthony Nunez and Grant Woflram, utility player Jeremiah Jackson and third baseman Coby Mayo are also on their first Opening Day roster.
It might be surprising that Mayo has never had an Orioles Opening Day. He’s starting his third season with the team, and he can’t wait to trot down the orange carpet.
“I was told how awesome it is here, kind of like a playoff game,” Mayo said. “Running down the carpet looks like a good time.”
Mayo will start at third base with Jordan Westburg sidelined after receiving a platelet-rich-plasma shot in his right elbow because of a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament. The 24-year-old Mayo had an excellent spring, hitting .378 with a 1.026 OPS with two homers and 12 RBIs in Grapefruit League games.
“I put my head down and worked,” said Mayo, who played first last year. “Whatever ended up happening was going to be a good opportunity. I was really grateful to have an opportunity, not wanting an injury, but sometimes it happens, and I was able to do well from it.”
Beavers was scratched from last Friday night’s game with right knee discomfort. That’s behind him now, and he’s ready for his first opener.
“It means the world,” Beavers said.
Last year, Beavers and Basallo came to the Orioles on consecutive days in August, not playing enough to lose their rookie status.
“Last year was awesome, but you’ve got to earn it again every year,” Beavers said.
He learned that he had made the club from Albernaz on Friday just after he found out he’d be unable to play.
“I always try to be confident about it,” Beavers said. “You’re never sure. Anything can really happen. When he told me, I was pretty ecstatic about it … He came into the training room and I was laying on the table. It was pretty awesome, surprising. That’s not where you expect to be.”
Left-hander Trevor Rogers was named Opening Day starter on March 13th, and he’s had two weeks to mentally prepare.
“It’s a big day,” Rogers said. “After Opening Day, we’ve got 161 more games after it. Enjoy it, but treat it like any other game and execute.”
Outfielder Taylor Ward has already had a huge week. His wife delivered a 10-pound, 7-ounce baby boy, the couple’s third child. It’s not the first Opening Day for the former Angels’ outfielder, but his first with the Orioles.
“The timing of my son was perfect,” Ward said. “He’s healthy, mom’s healthy. Really excited for tomorrow and want to win the game and keep it rolling.”
The biggest acquisition of the winter was power hitting first baseman Pete Alonso, who’s had no trouble adjusting to his new team.
“This is a really special group,” Alonso said. “There’s a lot of talent. There’s a lot of connections going on, and that’s a really positive thing.”
Alonso got to stay home in Tampa and commute to Sarasota for spring training, and now he’s eager for the season to start.
“Even just playing against them in years past, you could just tell the camaraderie. When you have talent and camaraderie, it’s the recipe for success.”
Catcher Adley Rutschman, who missed much of last season after two oblique injuries, is optimistic that this season will be a positive one after a last-place finish in the American League East last year.
“Love where our team is at, chemistry-wise,” Rutschman said. “We’ve got a lot of quality people, and we’ve added really quality people. It’s fun. Guys are laughing a lot in the clubhouse. A lot of chatter going on. It seems like a great vibe in the clubhouse.”
Shortstop Gunnar Henderson, who was a standout for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, is eager start a new season.
“Last season left that taste in our mouth,” Henderson said. “It’s obviously going to motivate guys to be locked in earlier and get [off] to a good start to set us up for that September run.”
It’s Albernaz’s first opener as a major league manager.
“Opening up at home with our crowd behind us is going to be special,” Albernaz said. “I just can’t wait to hear that ‘O’ in he national anthem. That’s going to be a special part of it.”
Notes: Infielder Jackson Holliday, who is on the 10-day injured list after surgery to remove the hamate bone in his right wrist, will begin a rehab assignment for Triple-A Norfolk. … Arthur Green, who’s 109 years old, will throw out the first pitch on Thursday. … Ravens head coach Jesse Minter will be the guest splasher during the second inning in the splash zone. … Recording artist and Baltimore native India Boone will perform the national anthem. … Gates will open at noon. Parking lots open at 11 a.m.
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