Gunnar Henderson makes spring debut as O's host Twins

By Steve Melewski

Orioles

March 04, 2024, 10:10am

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SARASOTA, Fla. – Gunnar Henderson will make his spring training debut today as the Orioles host the Minnesota Twins at 1:05 p.m. at Ed Smith Stadium.

The 2023 American League Rookie of the Year has not played in a game to this point due to left oblique soreness that appeared when he was long-tossing during workouts at home before camp began.

Henderson has been taking batting practice and doing pregame work for several days, and now comes his first game and plenty of time to be fully ready for Opening Day on March 28.

“Everything has been fine,” he said this morning of the work he has put in to get to this point.

“Felt really good the last week and my progression allows me to be in the game today,” he said.

And he reiterated he has enough time now to be fully ready for the opener.

“Plenty of time,” he said. “Still have a little less than a month of games. You don’t even need half of that to get ready for the season.

The Orioles are 9-1 with the best spring record of all 30 major league clubs after Sunday's 5-2 win over Pittsburgh in Bradenton.

Baltimore ranks tied for second among all clubs in homers (15) this spring, is tied for 10th in runs (52) and seventh in OPS (.792). O's pitchers rank second in the majors with a 3.10 ERA, are tied for first in WHIP (1.19) and fifth in batting average against (.226).

For the Orioles

Cedric Mullins CF
Adley Rutschman C
Gunnar Henderson SS
Anthony Santander DH
Ryan O'Hearn RF
Ryan Mountcastle 1B
Austin Hays LF
Kolten Wong 2B
Nick Maton 3B

Dean Kremer RHP