Gunnar Henderson is playing for Triple-A Norfolk again tonight in Charlotte. It could be the last game on his injury rehab assignment.

The Orioles need a little more time to decide.

Henderson is 5-for-16 with two home runs in four games with the Tides. He’ll stay on the field for seven-to-nine innings tonight.

The complication in reinstating Henderson is the 1:05 p.m. start time for Thursday’s game against the Red Sox. The travel is a consideration.

Otherwise, Henderson would make the trip to Kansas City for the weekend series against the Royals.

Jorge Mateo is the shortstop tonight and Jordan Westburg is playing second base in a right-handed heavy Orioles lineup against the Red Sox.

Jackson Holliday is on the bench.

Gary Sánchez is catching, with Adley Rutschman serving as the designated hitter. Tyler O’Neill is in left field and Ramón Laureano is in right. Cedric Mullins, batting ninth, is the only left-handed hitter.

Zach Eflin started on Opening Day and held the Blue Jays to two runs and two hits in six innings. He’s 3-0 with a 5.10 ERA in six career starts against the Red Sox covering 30 innings.

Rafael Devers is 0-for-19 with 15 strikeouts this season but he’s 6-for-16 with three doubles and two home runs lifetime against Eflin. Wilyer Abreu is 5-for-10 with a double and home run.

Tyler O’Neill has limited exposure to Red Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet, who faces the Orioles tonight at Camden Yards. Only two at-bats – and one home run.

O’Neill is going to play anyway. He’s one of the primary outfielders and he hits .273/.378/.549 against lefties. But he’s hitting everybody so far in his brief Orioles career.

Given a day off in Toronto to keep his legs fresh, O’Neill has made four starts and gone 8-for-14 with double and prerequisite Opening Day home run. The eight hits are the most for an Oriole through his first four games with the club since José Iglesias had eight in 2020.

Four of O’Neill’s hits came in Monday’s home opener to tie his career high.

“Driving the ball the other way once, a little blooper the other way, not just being pull happy but opposite-field homer in Toronto. Playing really good defense for us,” said manager Brandon Hyde.

Baseball has a way of cleaning up messes even while creating more turmoil.

The Orioles must decide how to find a roster spot for Gunnar Henderson, who’s eligible to return Thursday from the injured list. They are off today and have one more game without their All-Star shortstop.

“We got like one of the best players in the world coming back,” said first baseman Ryan O’Hearn. “So that’s a good thing.”

The bad thing was losing a teammate to make it happen.

The Orioles want to hold onto Jorge Mateo for his elite speed and defensive versatility. They want Ramón Urías getting bulk starts at third base, and he keeps hitting, singling twice yesterday to make him 6-for-15 in four games. They won’t option Jackson Holliday, who also singled twice yesterday and drove in a run, because this is his time to show that he can be as special as advertised.

The Orioles used their home Opening Day to fish for compliments.

Fans had to be done complaining about a series split in Toronto and another injury. This was a time to party. The team was back at Camden Yards, the sun came out and players circled the bases in the first inning. The good times rolled, and no one got run over.

Cade Povich warmed to Eminem’s “The Real Slim Shady” and looked like the real deal with eight strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings, but the pitch count got him – 94 of them. Manager Brandon Hyde was left to piece together the rest.

The first four relievers combined for 3 2/3 scoreless innings and the Orioles had another offensive surge in the eighth in an 8-5 win over the Red Sox before an announced sellout crowd of 45.002.

Félix Bautista warmed with the Orioles ahead 4-3 and had to pitch the ninth, no longer in line for his first save since Aug. 24, 2023. He entered to Omar's whistle and a rousing ovation, and he allowed two runs on a leadoff walk, wild pitch, Romy Gonzalez double and two-out broken-bat single by Jarren Duran. Rafael Devers walked but Alex Bregman popped up.

The freshness and boundless optimism of a new season haven’t kept another series of injuries from striking the Orioles.

They can run and dive, but they can’t hide.

The latest blow arrived this morning with outfielder Colton Cowser going on the 10-day injured list with a fractured left thumb. Manager Brandon Hyde expects Cowser to miss a minimum of six-to-eight weeks.

This isn’t how the Orioles wanted to begin their home Opening Day.

“It’s a big loss,” Hyde said. “This is a guy who was second in Rookie of the Year last year. … It’s going to be at least a couple months and gives other guys opportunity. It’s not gonna be the last injury we have this season. We’re gonna have things pop up and that’s why you create depth, and it gives other guys opportunities. But it’s a blow because Colton’s a really good player.”

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said outfielder Colton Cowser could miss six-to-eight weeks minimum with a fractured left thumb. Cowser was placed on the 10-day injured list this morning.

The injury occurred yesterday when Cowser dived into first base in the seventh inning at Rogers Centre. He was removed for a pinch-hitter in the ninth and underwent tests.

Outfielder Dylan Carlson was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk. He's on the bench today for the home opener against the Red Sox.

Jordan Westburg is leading off today. He’s back in the lineup after sitting out yesterday’s game.

Hyde said Westburg is feeling a lot better after dealing with some “minor things.”

TORONTO – The Orioles are four games into the 2025 season and manager Brandon Hyde has found rest days for Tyler O’Neill, Ryan Mountcastle and Jordan Westburg. Adley Rutschman received a partial one by serving as designated hitter.

Westburg apparently got his due to some sort of physical issue that made him available yesterday only in an emergency. He's expected in today's lineup.

The turf is staying at Rogers Centre, where it can put a strain on another opponent’s legs. The Orioles will welcome playing on their grass field and hope it remains dry for home Opening Day.

Cedric Mullins and Colton Cowser were in the lineup each day of the Blue Jays series, but the Red Sox are starting left-handers Sean Newcomb and Garrett Crochet in the first two games. Hyde has a chance/excuse to rest them separately and get Ramón Laureano in the lineup.

Cowser is more likely now because his left thumb bent back yesterday in the seventh inning after he went head-first into the bag trying to beat out a ground ball. I don't know whether it's actually proven that diving slows you down, but it does put your hands at risk.

TORONTO – Tomoyuki Sugano smiled this morning as he walked in and out of the clubhouse and down a hallway, nothing about his expression or mannerisms hinting at a first major league start and accompanying case of nerves.

He warmed up, faced his first batter and issued a four-pitch walk.

It wouldn’t be the worst part of his day.

Sugano made it through four innings and 73 pitches, went back to the mound for the bottom of the fifth and couldn’t continue. Manager Brandon Hyde, pitching coach Drew French and head athletic trainer Scott Barringer checked on him, and Sugano flexed his right hand before heading to the dugout.

Matt Bowman, whose contract was selected today with Albert Suárez going on the injured list, took over in the Orioles’ 3-1 loss to the Blue Jays before an announced crowd of 21.069. Sugano allowed two runs and four hits, with two walks and one strikeout before exiting due to unspecified “cramping.”

TORONTO – Orioles reliever Albert Suárez went on the 15-day injured list this afternoon with right shoulder inflammation, a move that’s backdated to yesterday.

Matt Bowman’s contract was selected from Triple-A Norfolk. He’s wearing No. 51.

The 40-man roster is full.

Suárez allowed one earned run and two total with five hits in 2 2/3 innings Friday night, and his fastball velocity was about two mph lower than his average in 2024. Bowman gives the bullpen a fresh arm and one capable of providing length.

The Orioles selected Bowman’s contract last Sunday on his opt-out date, designated him for assignment before Opening Day and outrighted him to Norfolk. He made 15 appearances with the Orioles last season and posted a 3.45 ERA in 15 2/3 innings.

TORONTO – Orioles manager Brandon Hyde isn’t asking for the world. He isn’t being unreasonable and pushing his ‘pen to perform beyond its limits.

Sitting in the visiting dugout yesterday, Hyde said, “I’m looking for guys to come in and throw strikes.”

That’s pretty much the extent of it just three games into the season.

“We need a little better strike throwing ability.”

Hyde will start there and figure out the rest.

TORONTO – The power flickered and came back on at Rogers Centre.

The Orioles hit six home runs on Opening Day, only one last night and two in the top of the first inning today against future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer that went a combined 851 feet. Held to three hits last night, they doubled that total by the fourth – five for extra bases.

A two-run lead was lost again but returned to them, and Jordan Westburg registered his first career multi-homer game in a 9-5 victory over the Blue Jays before an announced crowd of 27,005.

Used in a non-save situation, Félix Bautista allowed a one-out double to Bo Bichette, walked Anthony Santander with two outs and struck out three with his splitter in a scoreless ninth in his first game since Aug. 25, 2023, and the Orioles can do no worse than split their first series.

“That was so exciting for all of us," said manager Brandon Hyde. "All the people in this room know what he’s gone through and how he was itching to be a part of our team last year so badly and unable to do that. I was hoping for a situation that was as low-pressure as possible. Maybe a three-run lead with the bottom of the order. But it worked out and great to see him out there. Everybody was pumped up that he was coming into the game.

TORONTO – Heston Kjerstad and Gary Sánchez make their first starts this afternoon against the Blue Jays.

Kjerstad is playing right field and batting sixth. Sánchez is catching and batting seventh.

Adley Rutschman is the designated hitter and Ryan O’Hearn is playing first base. Ryan Mountcastle, Tyler O’Neill and Jorge Mateo are on the bench.

Jordan Westburg is batting cleanup. Jackson Holliday is the shortstop.

Dean Kremer makes his first start today. He has a 4.82 ERA and 1.536 WHIP in 11 career games against the Blue Jays. He’s allowed 10 runs and 24 hits in 22 1/3 innings at Rogers Centre.

TORONTO – Only two games into the season and some Orioles fans are wondering why Heston Kjerstad isn’t in the lineup.

Why wait until Day 3? Do it now and avoid the rush.

Kjerstad entered Thursday’s game in the eighth inning and threw out Alejandro Kirk from right field. Asked about it afterward, manager Brandon Hyde said, “Heston and (Jorge) Mateo, quick tag, keep the tag on.”

“I gave Heston a little bit of a heads up, but not much,” Hyde added, “and goes in the game and makes a really nice play.”

Heston didn’t play last night in an 8-2 loss. No one pinch-hit, pinch-ran or entered for defense. Kjerstad sat on the bench and watched the Orioles be held to three hits.

TORONTO – Charlie Morton paced back and forth in the dugout, the frustration keeping the veteran starter on his feet. His Orioles debut lasted 80 pitches in only 3 1/3 innings, two inherited runners scored and a lead fell apart like his outing.

There will be better days and nights for Morton. This one was a challenge from the beginning with a barrage of hard-hit balls from a Blue Jays team perhaps still ornery from yesterday’s Opening Day beatdown.

Jackson Holliday homered in the third inning and Tyler O’Neill had a sacrifice fly in the fourth, but the Jays put five runs on the board in the bottom half and won 8-2 at Rogers Centre.

No one’s getting a sweep in this series.

The Orioles raised the bar yesterday with 12 runs and six homers, but the bats calmed tonight. They were held to three hits and committed two errors.

TORONTO – Grayson Rodriguez did some long tossing in the outfield this afternoon and headed to the visiting bullpen for his second session since the Orioles put him on the injured list with inflammation in his right elbow/triceps area. Rodriguez was shut down after a cortisone injection, but he’s started a throwing progression.

Manager Brandon Hyde clarified that the two sessions were a “short box,” with the catcher set up closer than 60 feet six inches. Rodriguez will have a light session Sunday from regular distance.

“Kind of a mini side, a really, really light side,” Hyde said. "So the side progression starts Sunday.”

Reliever Andrew Kittredge stood next to Rodriguez in the outfield and did some throwing. He’s recovering from left knee surgery.

Gunnar Henderson is leading off and playing shortstop with Triple-A Norfolk to begin his rehab assignment. Hyde said Henderson probably will play at least seven innings.

TORONTO – Jorge Mateo is in tonight’s Orioles lineup at shortstop, with Jackson Holliday moving to second base and Jordan Westburg to third.

Mateo is batting ninth and Holliday rises to eighth.

Colton Cowser is leading off again and playing left field. Westburg remains the No. 3 hitter. Cedric Mullins moves up to sixth and Ryan Mountcastle drops to seventh.

Charlie Morton makes his Orioles debut. He’s started only twice at Rogers Centre and allowed two runs in 10 2/3 innings.

Bo Bichette is 5-for-16 with a double and home run against Morton, who at 41 years and 136 days is the oldest pitcher to start for the Orioles.

TORONTO – The Orioles had one of those days in the opener that goes from successful to surreal. Every at-bat seemed to approach, tie or set a record. Tracking it in real time was exhausting.

A 12-2 thrashing of the Blue Jays showed just how potent the offense can be – one of, if not the best, in baseball. And wait until Gunnar Henderson returns.

Don’t rush him back from his rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk. He might kill the mojo.

I’m kidding, of course. But don’t rush him.

Further review and reflection last night led to these observations:

TORONTO – The Orioles’ first game of the 2025 season concluded with a celebratory handshake line. They won’t be satisfied until the final out creates bedlam.

This was a thunderous start.

They scored six times in the first four innings today against tormentor José Berríos, including Tyler O’Neill’s sixth straight Opening Day home run, and Zach Eflin held the Blue Jays to two hits in six innings in a 12-2 victory at Rogers Centre.

Adley Rutschman and Cedric Mullins also homered by the fourth, Mullins belted a three-run shot in the seventh, Rutschman launched a two-run shot in the eighth, Jordan Westburg came up next and cleared the left field wall, and the Orioles improved to 22-9 on Opening Day since 1995, the best record in baseball.

The team’s six homers on Opening Day broke the record of four set in 1982 and 2006. They hadn’t homered six times in any game since July 9, 2023.

TORONTO – Jorge Mateo had a locker set up this morning in the visiting clubhouse at Rogers Centre that belonged to Livan Soto for yesterday’s workout. The media saw Mateo as he walked into the room before the Orioles headed onto the field for stretching and batting practice.

His arrival in Toronto was confirmed. And he wasn’t here just to visit teammates.

Mateo made the Opening Day roster. He overcame elbow surgery and odds that didn't favor him.

“At the beginning of camp I thought it was doubtful, just because he hadn’t done a whole lot and there was still some rehab left to accomplish,” said manager Brandon Hyde. “We got him a lot of at-bats over the last seven-to-10 days, and he played a lot of shortstop, played a lot of second base, stuff people couldn’t see. There was a lot of back field. We had a lot of arms throw to him and Gunnar (Henderson) just to get those guys a lot of at-bats.

“I thought it was getting closer to being an option of him breaking with us a few days ago, and then the last few days he had good at-bats, he played a lot defensively, he recovered really, really well, so we made the decision to have him start with us.”