Orioles right-hand pitcher Grayson Rodriguez signs an autograph for fan Charlie Brose, 11, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Baltimore Orioles held their first full-squad workout of the 2025 spring training season on Tuesday, Feb. 18th in Sarasota, Florida.
ANAHEIM—For the second straight game, second baseman Jackson Holliday is out of the lineup because of groin tightness. The Orioles have not placed him on the 10-day injured list, but infielder Luis Vázquez has joined the club on the taxi squad.
“He says he’s feeling better,” manager Craig Albernaz said. “He’s going to go through the pregame workday and kind of go from there to see where he’s at.”
Westburg visits
Infielder Jordan Westburg, who had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, has joined the team for the three-game series with the Angels.
“We want to get him around us,” Albernaz said. “Break up the rehab process for him. We want him around the guys and the guys want him around. It’s great to see him. He’s doing well. He’s in great spirits. The scar looks pretty clean. It was good to see him. I gave him a big old hug and talk for a while, talk baseball and life.”
Cowser hitting against left-handers
Colton Cowser, who’s 3-for-16 (.188) with three RBIs against left-handers this season, will start against lefty Sam Aldegheri. Albernaz likes how Cowser is playing and wanted to give Leody Taveras a day off.
“We all know what Cowser’s capable of,” Albernaz said. “He’s worked really hard on just his swing in general, his approach but also his at-bat quality against lefties.
“This past series, he had two really good at-bats, big at-bats for us against lefty relievers. He did a great job of staying with his approach and not trying to do too much … Cowser has earned and warranted this start against a lefty, so I’m excited to see what he does.”
Rodriguez won’t face Orioles
Grayson Rodriguez, who’s on the 15-day injured list with lower back inflammation, won’t face the Orioles in this series. He was traded to the Angels for outfielder Taylor Ward last November.
Rodriguez is 2-2 with an 8.06 ERA.
“It’s definitely something I haven’t experienced before, playing my former team,” Rodriguez told reporters. “It’s obviously good to see those guys that are over there. Came up through the minor leagues with a lot of those guys. Spent a lot of time with them. Some of them are still my good friends. It’s going to be cool to play against them … I wish was pitching in this series.”
Rodriguez said he was eager to use the information he’s gained from watching them over the years.
“I’ve watched these guys take a lot of at-bats,” he said. “I’m a little disappointed I’m not pitching against them. Seen them a few times.”
It’s also Ward’s first time playing against the Angels.
“There are a lot of good memories here over the years,” Ward said. “The guys have been just as great as the guys over there.”.
Notes: The Orioles purchased the contract of catcher Chadwick Tromp from Triple-A Norfolk and designated outfielder Michael Siani for assignment. … Siani was hitless in his only at-bat on Sunday. … Dylan Beavers, who’s on the 10-day injured list with a strained right oblique muscle, will move his rehab assignment from Double-A Chesapeake to Norfolk on Tuesday. … Starters Dean Kremer and Cade Povich will continue their rehab assignments at Norfolk and Chesapeake. … Félix Bautista, who had rotator cuff and labrum surgery last August, will begin throwing bullpen sessions on Tuesday in Sarasota. … Right-hander Yaramil Hiraldo, who’s on the 60-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation, will throw live batting practices this week.
Orioles-Angels lineups
Orioles
Taylor Ward-LF
Gunnar Henderson-SS
Pete Alonso-1B
Coby Mayo-DH
Tyler O’Neill-RF
Blaze Alexander-3B
Colton Cowser-CF
Jeremiah Jackson-2B
Sam Huff-C
Kyle Bradish-RHP
Angels
Zach Neto-SS
Nolan Schanuel-3B
Jo Adell-RF
Jorge Soler-DH
Wade Meckler-LF
Denzer Guzman-3B
Donovan Walton-2B
Logan O’Hoppe-C
Jose Siri-CF
Sam Aldegheri-LHP
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