BRADENTON, Fla. – The Orioles remain hopeful that Gunnar Henderson is on their Opening Day roster, but they know the importance of a good contingency plan.

Jackson Holliday made his first spring start at shortstop tonight against the Pirates, hitting a double and single to left field and committing an error on his first and only chance.

“With Gunnar out right now, unsure of the timetable, but he’s doing really well,” manager Brandon Hyde said this afternoon. “He’s progressing well, but we’re not sure when we can get him back into game action. Jackson’s going to be playing shortstop here periodically the rest of camp.”

Henderson’s strained rib cage muscle led the Orioles down an alternate path with Holliday. They wanted him to get more comfortable at second base. Guest instructor Brian Roberts corrected his footwork, trying to strip him of a shortstop’s approach to fielding the ball and making feeds. But he could do more switching to the left side.

“It’s definitely different,” Holliday said. “It’s one thing to practice it, but to play it in a game and read the ball off the bat, kind of the angle that it comes in, it’s obviously very different, but I should make that play every single time. But hopefully I don’t have to play both. Hopefully, Gunnar gets healthy real quick and I can just stick over at second until they tell me they need me. But if that is the case, I’m up to the challenge.”

BRADENTON, Fla. – The Orioles made nine camp cuts this afternoon to bring the roster down to 48 players, including 12 invitees.

Pitchers Luis González and Kade Strowd were optioned to minor league camp. Pitchers Rodolfo Martinez, Dylan Coleman and Raúl Alcantara, outfielders Jordyn Adams and Franklin Barreto, infielder/outfielder Terrin Vavra, and catcher David Bañuelos were reassigned.

Players on the 40-man roster are optioned and the others reassigned.

None of the moves are classified as unexpected. The camp injuries didn’t open any doors.

Martinez was the talk of camp after his bullpen and live batting practice sessions, but he allowed nine runs and five hits with six walks in 3 2/3 innings. In yesterday’s split-squad game in Clearwater, he retired only two batters and was charged with three runs on three walks and two wild pitches. He threw only seven strikes among 24 pitches.

BRADENTON, Fla. – Jackson Holliday is starting at shortstop tonight, as the Orioles head to LECOM Park for another game against the Pirates.

Manager Brandon Hyde indicated that Holliday could make a start at short with Gunnar Henderson unable to play since Feb. 27 due to a strained right intercostal. This is one of them.

Holliday made three appearances (one start) at short with the Orioles last season.

Jordan Westburg is playing third base. Ramón Urías sliders over to second base. Ryan O’Hearn is at first.

Samuel Basallo is catching. Heston Kjerstad is the right fielder.

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles leave Florida in less than two weeks and injuries have disrupted the calmness that comes with a set roster. One that went from concrete to crumbling.

Grayson Rodriguez is out of the rotation with inflammation behind his right elbow. Andrew Kittredge is out of the bullpen after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on the cartilage in his left knee. Gunnar Henderson hasn’t played since Feb. 27 due to a strained right intercostal.

Rodriguez is shut down for a week-to-10 days after receiving a cortisone injection. Kittredge is expected to miss at least two months of the season. Henderson is running out of time to play on Opening Day because he’s accumulated only six at-bats. He could get more in simulated games on the back fields, as well as in the Grapefruit League, but he’s still restricted to getting treatments.

“Things like Grayson’s situation comes up, and so you’re holding your breath every day right now,” said manager Brandon Hyde. “You’re trying to get your team as prepared as possible to play in Toronto. At the same time, you’re trying to keep these guys as healthy as possible.

“You’re going to start seeing more back-to-backs. Like the split-squad (yesterday), a lot of guys are gonna play back-to-back either yesterday and today or today and tomorrow so you’re increasing volume of their game activity and their at-bats.”

SARASOTA, Fla. – Tomoyuki Sugano can’t be disappointed today with his command. He’d be hard-pressed to complain about anything. Even the perfectionist in him should be satisfied.

Well, mostly.

What bothered Sugano in Monday’s start didn’t exist with the same force this afternoon against the Twins at Ed Smith Stadium. He was razor sharp, retiring all nine batters faced and striking out five.

The Japanese right-hander hasn’t allowed a run in seven exhibition innings.

“It wasn’t perfect. I would say 90 percent,” he said, remaining his toughest critic.

SARASOTA, Fla. – Grayson Rodriguez received a cortisone injection in his right elbow to combat the inflammation that’s caused the Orioles to shut him down.

Rodriguez hasn’t pitched since Wednesday in Fort Myers, when he exhibited another noticeable decline in velocity and spoke afterward about feeling “sluggish.” The club initially said that Rodriguez was experiencing discomfort in his right triceps, but later pinpointed the back of the elbow.

The plan calls for Rodriguez to wait seven-to-10 days before starting a throwing progression.

Manager Brandon Hyde referred to the shot as “successful.”

“Timeline after a week, I’m not really sure at this point,” Hyde said. “We’ll see how it goes. But we’re gonna give him a week to not throw and let the cortisone do what it does.”

SARASOTA, Fla. – Tyler O’Neill has returned to the Orioles’ lineup this afternoon after being scratched Thursday night with a sore left rib cage.

O’Neill is batting cleanup in the split-squad game against the Twins in Sarasota.

Jackson Holliday is leading off and playing second base. Livan Soto is the shortstop with Gunnar Henderson receiving treatment for a strained right intercostal.

Adley Rutschman is the designated hitter, with Gary Sánchez catching Tomoyuki Sugano. Sugano is making his third exhibition start.

Colton Cowser is in right field.

SARASOTA, Fla. – There must be a voodoo curse in the Orioles déjà vu.

Their rotation was ravaged by injuries last season, and five starters at the major or minor league levels are headed for the IL – Kyle Bradish, Tyler Wells, Trevor Rogers, Chayce McDermott and Grayson Rodriguez, who joined a club that’s about as exclusive as the local Publix.

Rodriguez is receiving multiple opinions to determine the cause of the discomfort in the back of his right elbow, the severity of it and how long he’s going to be out. He won’t be ready for Opening Day, which punches a hole in a rotation that lost ace Corbin Burnes to free agency.

“It’s a huge loss, but at the end of the day we need Grayson for pretty much the majority of the whole season,” said Zach Eflin, the uncontested starter on March 27 in Toronto. “If it’s something that happens, preferably it would be now and get it out of the way and come back stronger. It’s a blow, but fortunately for us we have depth and we have the next guy up mentality, so we’ll be prepared for any situation we encounter.”

“It’s tough I think whenever you have an injury,” said Cade Povich. “We saw it unfortunately too many times last year with guys going down. It’s tough. I see how hard he worked to get back last year. Got here early, I’ve seen how hard he’s worked to come back, so hopefully it’s nothing big. Hopefully it’s something short and he can get back quick.”

SARASOTA, Fla. – Charlie Morton worked three scoreless innings today against the Rays with only one hit allowed, a double on a fly ball to left field that Daz Cameron had difficulty tracking in the wind and high sky. Morton hasn’t surrendered a run in six exhibition innings. Everything looks impressive.

That’s the simple surface observation. There’s much more going on with Morton, a veteran entering his 18^th major league season.

“I’ve been working on some pitch shape stuff, maybe trying to understand where I’m at a little bit more with movement and stuff, and how my mixes play together,” said Morton, always ready with a thoughtful and detailed answer. “Like today, it was good. I threw a couple pretty good four-seamers, a couple ones that I think didn’t necessarily play. I think the two-seamer, we’ve been talking about that, maybe mixing that a little bit more, especially to righties, because last year especially, righties were giving me fits. And to see some swing and miss on my breaking ball.”

Morton struck out the side in the first inning on 15 pitches, topping at 95 mph and touching 94 four times. A fourth strikeout ended the second inning, with Morton’s fastball again reaching 95 mph. Josh Lowe’s two-out walk in the third didn’t hurt.

“All in all I feel pretty good, but I think probably another few weeks, even into the regular season, until I’m really, truly and honestly aware of where I’m at,” said Morton, who threw 46 pitches, 26 for strikes.

SARASOTA, Fla. – Orioles reliever Andrew Kittredge underwent left knee debridement surgery yesterday, with Dr. Leigh Ann Curl handling the procedure in Baltimore.

Kittredge made only one appearance this spring, on Feb. 26 in Bradenton, where he allowed two hits and walked a batter but didn’t surrender a run. He warmed in the bullpen last Saturday but didn’t pitch because of the discomfort.

Manager Brandon Hyde said yesterday that Kittredge, who signed a contract that guarantees $10 million and includes a team option for 2026, would be out for a few months.

A debridement removes dead, infected or damaged tissue from a wound, with the intent to promote healing by eliminating obstacles to tissue regeneration.

Bryan Baker could be the in-house replacement for Kittredge on Opening Day, though it's an open competition and there's also the possibility of a trade or free agent signing.

SARASOTA, Fla. – The Orioles won’t pinch-hit for Adley Rutschman during the regular season, but the many differences and oddities in spring training sent Vimael Machín to the plate for the All-Star catcher in the fourth inning of Thursday night’s game against the Pirates.

Machín struck out, which also seemed unusual because he’s been on fire.

A second at-bat produced a fly ball to the center field fence, an extremely long out influenced perhaps by the wind, and a third resulted in a line drive single to right.

Last night’s game in Lakeland began with Machín batting .500 (9-for-18) with a double, home run, five RBIs, two walks and a 1.272 OPS. No one had more hits, a higher average and OPS, or appeared in more games than Machín’s 10.

Coming off the bench late, Machín singled in the ninth inning to start a three-run rally. He’s 10-for-19 and one of the most impressive players in camp.

LAKELAND, Fla. – Dean Kremer got in his work tonight, stretched out to 60 pitches. He’s healthy.

As the Orioles know, it could be a lot worse.

The Tigers hit three home runs off Kremer in three-plus innings, on an elevated sinker, fastball and splitter. He exited in the fourth with two on and no outs, and Logan Rinehart let both inherited runners score.

Kremer was charged with six runs and six hits with two walks and three strikeouts to leave his ERA at 9.00. He tossed three scoreless innings against the Phillies in his last start.

“Feel good, feel strong,” Kremer said. “Looking forward to continuing the buildup and ready for the season. I feel like I’m on track to be ready for five to six (innings) and first game of season.”

LAKELAND, Fla. – The latest injury updates from the Orioles apparently will keep starter Grayson Rodriguez and reliever Andrew Kittredge away from the Opening Day roster.

A drama-free camp has spun in a bad direction.

Manager Brandon Hyde said the discomfort in Rodriguez’s right arm is located in the back of the elbow, describing it as the point where it connects to the triceps. The Orioles will seek multiple opinions, but their projected No. 1 or 2 starter isn’t going to build up the necessary innings to break camp with the team.

The regular season begins March 27 in Toronto. Rodriguez has made only two exhibition starts totaling three innings.

“It’s not a ligament issue, so we’re not concerned about that, but it’s going to result in some missed time,” Hyde said. “As we get more information, we’ll share it with you, but right now he’s still getting opinions.

LAKELAND, Fla. – Félix Bautista is making his second spring training appearance tonight, as the Orioles hit the road to face the Tigers.

Bautista retired the Red Sox in order Monday afternoon in Sarasota.

Jordan Westburg is out of the lineup after returning to it last night. Gunnar Henderson remains out with a strained right intercostal, and manager Brandon Hyde will provide an update later.

Jackson Holliday is leading off tonight, followed by Ramón Urías at third base. Heston Kjerstad is in right field, Coby Mayo is the designated hitter and Samuel Basallo is catching.

Liván Soto is the shortstop.

SARASOTA, Fla. – The rotation, bullpen, infield and outfield are impacted by health issues in Orioles camp. Starter Grayson Rodriguez informed the club that he’s experiencing soreness in his right triceps. Reliever Andrew Kittredge is shut down with inflammation in his left knee and the club is discussing its options. Shortstop Gunnar Henderson is making gradual improvement after his diagnosis of a strained right intercostal.

The outfield had been immune to injuries until yesterday, with Tyler O’Neill scratched due to soreness in his left rib cage. He also missed a game with an illness. Manager Brandon Hyde said O’Neill should be available for the next home game.

The Orioles have plenty of veteran options if they need replacements, some of them graying more than others.

Adam Jones, Nick Markakis, Al Bumbry and John Shelby are together in camp as guest instructors. They covered a lot of ground back in the day and they’re covering different generations in team history.

“Bumbry’s playing center tomorrow. Ced (Mullins) and him are gonna switch off,” manager Brandon Hyde quipped.

SARASOTA, Fla. – A 95 mph fastball from Pirates reliever Peter Strzelecki tonight dropped Ramón Urías to the dirt in the bottom of the fifth inning. Urías stayed down for a few seconds while the crowd gasped in unison, got back to his feet and struck out.

Urías grabbed his equipment bag and walked down the right field line toward the clubhouse. He was coming out anyway, with manager Brandon Hyde making multiple substitutions. He left third base and upheld his status as a healthy infielder.

The gasps became sighs of relief.

Jordan Westburg returned to the lineup, but Gunnar Henderson remained out with a strained right intercostal and Jorge Mateo won’t be ready for Opening Day after his reconstructive elbow surgery in August, though he’s swinging a bat.

The Orioles need Urías to be their utility guy. They might need him to play shortstop for Henderson or third base if Westburg slides over. Tailing fastballs with his name on them are frowned upon in this establishment.

SARASOTA, Fla. – The latest dip in velocity from Grayson Rodriguez apparently stems from a physical issue.

Rodriguez is bothered by soreness in his right triceps, according to manager Brandon Hyde. He was evaluated today and the Orioles should have more information on Friday.

Asked if there’s a base level of concern anytime a pitcher admits to soreness, Hyde said, “Sure. I’m concerned every day right now with everybody.”

Standing outside the visiting clubhouse yesterday at Hammond Stadium, Rodriguez told the media that he felt “pretty sluggish” and couldn’t get behind the ball and spin it how he wanted. He threw 30 pitches against the Twins, 20 for strikes, and allowed one run and three hits with a walk, strikeout and hit batter over 1 1/3 innings.

The radar gun provided numbers that drew most of the attention and concern. Rodriguez’s four-seam fastball averaged 93.2 mph, topping out at 95.3 on Ryan Jeffers’ strikeout in the first. Christian Vazquez led off the second with a double into left-center field on an 89.5 mph fastball.

SARASOTA, Fla. – Rosters were announced today for the second Spring Breakout game. Orioles prospects will play Yankees prospects on March 15 at 6:05 p.m. in Sarasota.

Among the 26 Orioles are top prospect Samuel Basallo and No. 3 prospect Enrique Bradfield Jr.

Here is the complete list:

Pitchers
LHP Luis De León
RHP Michael Forret
RHP Nestor German
RHP Keeler Morfe
RHP Patrick Reilly
RHP Levi Wells
RHP Cameron Weston

Catchers
Ethan Anderson
Samuel Basallo
Miguel Rodríguez
Creed Willems

SARASOTA, Fla. – Former Orioles center fielder Adam Jones will have to pause his work in the front office and in the community to accept his latest honor on Aug. 9.

Jones and another former outfielder, Joe Orsulak, were elected to the club’s Hall of Fame. Long-time broadcaster Tom Davis will receive the Herb Armstrong Award given to non-uniformed Orioles personnel.

Jones officially retired from baseball as an Oriole on Sept. 15, 2023, and in January 2025 he returned to the organization as a special advisor to the general manager and community ambassador.

His accomplishments on the field made him an easy choice in his first year of eligibility.

Jones spent 11 of his 14 seasons with the Orioles and ranks among their all-time leaders in hits (fourth, 1,781), home runs (fifth, 263), RBIs (fifth, 866), runs (fifth, 875), doubles (seventh, 305) and games played (eighth, 1,613). Also, his 93 career outfield assists are tied with Nick Markakis for second behind Paul Blair’s 105.

SARASOTA, Fla. – Orioles manager Brandon Hyde finally could joke about it.

The closing of southbound I-75 due to an accident involving two semis that caused a significant hydraulic oil leak. His arrival in the visiting clubhouse at Hammond Stadium about an hour after first pitch. Sunscreen and a look of aggravation on his face.

Asked after the game about Grayson Rodriguez’s sluggish start, Hyde said, “On the radio, it was …”

He laughed for the first time – a few minutes after sharing the news of Gunnar Henderson’s strained right intercostal muscle. Someone needed to break the tension.

Losing Henderson for any length of time would hurt, and intercostals can bring a lengthy recovery period. But Hyde stressed how the diagnosis was a “very mild” strain, and that Henderson was improving “every single day.”