TORONTO – The games start counting today. And not a moment too soon.

No more exhibitions, reentries and extras from minor league camp. The rules aren’t bent. Statistical declines aren’t excused because it’s spring training.

Let’s get serious.

The Orioles will try to finish above .500 for a fourth consecutive year, their longest streak since 1968-1985. They will try to make the playoffs in three straight seasons for the first time since 1969-71.

It begins with their leadoff hitter, probably Colton Cowser, stepping into the box against Blue Jays right-hander José Berríos in the top of the first inning at Rogers Centre. Zach Eflin starts for the Orioles, reliving his Opening Day matchup with Berríos last year at Tropicana Field.

TORONTO – Orioles reliever Bryan Baker hasn’t been told anything.

Infielder Livan Soto hasn’t been told anything.

They have lockers in the visiting clubhouse at Rogers Center and they participated in this afternoon’s workout. However, they didn’t receive confirmations that they’re on the Opening Day roster. Those conversations are on hold.

The assumptions are understandable, of course.

Matt Bowman and Roansy Contreras, the in-house competitors with Baker for the last bullpen spot, didn’t have lockers and they weren’t seen in the clubhouse or on the field.

Opening Day is getting closer. The Orioles are in Toronto and will work out this afternoon at Rogers Centre. First pitch is right around the corner.

We don’t know the exact composition of the roster and whether it’s really just down to Jorge Mateo vs. Livan Soto for the last position spot and Bryan Baker vs. Matt Bowman for the last bullpen spot.

There are other questions that require more time before they can be answered. For instance:

When will Grayson Rodriguez return to the rotation?

Rodriguez wasn’t available to the local media after his injury was revealed in Sarasota, offering a daily, very polite, “not today, sorry” at his locker. But he appeared again on Foul Territory yesterday and confirmed that he’s throwing a bullpen session in a few days as part of his ramp-up.

The renovations are completed on the left field wall at Camden Yards. It’s moved closer to home plate and lowered, a “happier medium,” as executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias said in November. Mr. Splash was given a platform and more space to spray fans in sections 84 and 86, with the drenching distance extended from last season.

Fans also will notice a long platform to the left that serves as a viewing area for kids ages 12 and younger to be escorted and get a closer view of the action. They must be seated in sections 78, 80 and 82 to be eligible.

“We’re excited about the home run porch,” said president of baseball operations Catie Griggs. “We think it’s a really unique opportunity to welcome kids 12 and under closer to the field, escorted by parents, where they can have the opportunity to really feel part of the game in a way that’s pretty unique to this ballpark. Between that and Mr. Splash, we know that was a section that was sold out almost every single game last year. We want to make sure that we create experiences that are accessible to more people.”

The Orioles invited media to Camden Yards this morning to check out the newest additions to the ballpark, starting with an improved sound system that blared “Thank God I’m a Country Boy” – the long-time, seventh-inning stretch song in Baltimore. Further upgrades will be made for the 2026 season.

The old sound and control systems were “fairly antiquated,” Griggs said, and recent changes have enabled the Orioles to create much sharper audio "not only for music on the field, which our players are pretty excited about, but also throughout the ballpark."

The Orioles couldn’t play baseball yesterday because of the rain in D.C. In hindsight, it wasn’t worth rushing out of North Port on Sunday.

Grayson Rodriguez did some long tossing in the outfield at Nationals Park. Cade Povich told the assembled media that he hasn’t decided between Billy Joel’s “Piano Man” and Eminem’s “The Real Slim Shady” for his walk-in song. The roster held at 41 players after the Orioles selected Matt Bowman’s contract over the weekend and put Tyler Wells on the 60-day injured list, then shrank to 36 after Kyle Gibson was optioned to minor league camp yesterday and Maverick Handley, Vimael Machín, Emmanuel Rivera and Luis Vázquez were reassigned.

The two questions hanging heavy in the damp air remained whether Jorge Mateo replaces Gunnar Henderson and which reliever replaces Andrew Kittredge.

Mateo went from a “no” to “pretty doubtful” to a real possibility for Opening Day. The Orioles won’t bring him to Toronto if they think he needs more swings in Sarasota or if he isn’t ready physically, but the fact that they’re giving him heavy doses of at-bats the next two days is a positive sign. Of course, they’re doing the same with Henderson, but that’s more about limiting how much time he spends on the IL.

Livan Soto remained the favorite if Mateo isn’t on the roster. Machín and Vázquez also were exceptional in camp and they’d have guaranteed jobs in past years when the Orioles weren’t as deep and talented.

The Orioles are chipping away at their camp roster. They've gotten it down to 36 players.

Veteran starter Kyle Gibson was optioned today to minor league camp after the Orioles signed him last week to a one-year deal. He was staying back in Sarasota, and manager Brandon Hyde told the media in D.C. that the ramp-up hopefully will have Gibson ready around May 1.

Catcher Maverick Handley and infielders Vimael Machín, Emmanuel Rivera and Luis Vázquez were reassigned to minor league camp.

None of these moves are unexpected. The Orioles are set behind the plate with Adley Rutschman and Gary Sánchez, who stayed healthy through camp. Livan Soto appeared to have an edge in the battle to replace injured shortstop Gunnar Henderson unless Jorge Mateo is deemed ready to play on Opening Day.

Mateo remains in Sarasota and is receiving heavy doses of at-bats over the next two days before a decision is made on his availability. He could join the team in Toronto or remain at the complex.

The Orioles finally can close out their exhibition schedule today and prepare for Thursday’s opener in Toronto. The fake games will be over.

Left-hander Cade Povich makes the start against the Nationals in D.C., a tune-up before he takes the ball for the first home game on March 31. Povich has pitched four times and the only runs allowed were the five that the Blue Jays put on the board in the fifth inning on March 13.

Povich followed up with five hitless innings in Tuesday’s rematch, putting him ahead of Albert Suárez for the fifth starter’s job. Suárez moves to the bullpen.

Colton Cowser bats leadoff today and plays left field. Jackson Holliday is the shortstop.

A lineup filled with regulars also includes Adley Rutschman behind the plate, Jordan Westburg at second base, Ryan Mountcastle at first base and Cedric Mullins in center field.

SARASOTA, Fla. – The Orioles didn’t mean to become a spring training cliché. It just happened. Nothing they could do about it.

Their roster appeared to be mostly set, with few decisions pending. They were proceeding without new injuries. But a team can’t get too comfortable because something always seems to happen.

Or multiple things happen, which is worse.

Imagine being told before pitchers and catchers reported that the Orioles would begin the season with Gunnar Henderson and Grayson Rodriguez on the injured list. Oh yeah, and their new reliever, Andrew Kittredge, would appear in one exhibition game and need surgery on his left knee. How long until panic set in and counseling was recommended?

This isn’t just an Orioles thing, though some locals would argue it. Yankees ace Gerrit Cole underwent Tommy John surgery and won’t pitch this season. Rookie of the Year Luis Gil could miss three months with a lat strain. Giancarlo Stanton had platelet-rich plasma injections in both elbows. The Rays got back their ace, Shane McClanahan, after he missed the 2024 season following Tommy John surgery, and he walked off the mound Saturday with a triceps injury.

NORTH PORT, Fla. – The Orioles aren’t required to set their Opening Day roster until noon Thursday, and a few decisions could bump against the deadline.

Most of mystery has dissolved. Cade Povich is the No. 5 starter, which puts Albert Suárez in a relief role. Félix Bautista had avoided the injured list. Only one spot remains in the bullpen and it could come down to Bryan Baker or Matt Bowman, who had an opt-out in his contract for today. Roansy Contreras is the third in-house consideration.

Jorge Mateo played second base today and will get simulated at-bats Monday and Tuesday before the Orioles determine whether to bring him to Toronto. His availability seems to directly impact Livan Soto, though Luis Vázquez and Vimael Machín also remain on the camp roster.

The shuffling is caused by Gunnar Henderson’s strained right rib cage muscle that is keeping him in Sarasota. Henderson would be eligible to return on April 3 with his IL stint backdated to Monday.

“I mean, it’s unfortunate that he’s going to miss the start of the season, but it is a long season,” said manager Brandon Hyde. “We do feel like we have other options. We have a lot of talented infielders. We’re still kind of finalizing the last position there, but Gunnar’s one of the best players in the league, so it’s hard to replace. Hopefully we can pick up the pieces around him a little bit and play well while he’s gone.”

SARASOTA, Fla. – The hesitation and hedging are over.

Gunnar Henderson has missed too many exhibition games and won’t be ready for Opening Day. The Orioles won’t carry him on the roster and play shorthanded. The All-Star shortstop and best player on the team is beginning the season on the injured list.

Henderson will miss a minimum of seven games.

Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias confirmed the decision this morning before the Orioles headed to North Port to play the Braves in the last exhibition game in Florida.

They break camp and prepare for Monday afternoon’s game against the Nationals in D.C., then fly to Toronto to rest, work out and start the 2025 regular season against the rival Blue Jays.

SARASOTA, Fla. – The Orioles will play their last Florida exhibition game with Gunnar Henderson absent again. He hasn’t played since Feb. 27, and his uniforms remained in his locker this morning while teammates' gear was packed.

Colton Cowser is leading off and playing left field against the Braves in North Port. Other regulars on the trip include Adley Rutschman catching, Ryan O’Hearn at designated hitter, Ryan Mountcastle at first base, Tyler O’Neill in right field, Cedric Mullins in center and Jackson Holliday at shortstop.

Jorge Mateo is at second base. The Orioles haven’t confirmed whether he’s made the Opening Day roster.

Charlie Morton is starting, with Dean Kremer following. Félix Bautista also will pitch.

The Orioles’ spring training roster is down to 41 players with outfielder Dylan Carlson optioned to minor league camp. Carlson batted .321 with a 1.071 OPS in 18 games.

SARASOTA, Fla. – Tyler O’Neill noticed it a few years ago. One home run on Opening Day led to another and another until he had created a streak.

The Orioles begin the 2025 season with a four-game series against the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre, bringing the Burnaby, British Columbia native back to his home country. O’Neill will be in the outfield barring an injury or surprise lineup decision.

Why in the world would he sit?

O’Neill made history last year with his homer for the Red Sox at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, his fifth straight in the first game.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, O’Neill came to the plate in the top of the eighth inning tied with Todd Hundley (1994-97) and Hall of Famers Gary Carter (1977-80) and Yogi Berra (1955-58) at four in a row. O’Neill jumped on a first-pitch sweeper from Mariners reliever Cody Bolton and cleared the fence in right-center field.

BRADENTON, Fla. – Riley Cooper had no idea.

A combined no-hitter was brewing today and it rested in Cooper’s left hand as the Orioles reliever selected for the bottom of the ninth inning.

A 13^th-round draft pick out of LSU in 2023. A low A-ball pitcher with 24 games of professional experience.

The pressure he felt also was surprisingly low.

“Pitching’s pitching,” he said, “so I just went in there and did my thing.”

BRADENTON, Fla. – Zach Eflin was happy with his final exhibition start, but he didn’t smile during today’s media scrum until asked about Kyle Gibson.

They were teammates with the Phillies in 2021-22 and are reunited in spring training after the Orioles signed Gibson last night to a one-year deal.

“I was thrilled, absolutely thrilled,” Eflin said. “I think everybody in the clubhouse is thrilled. Everybody knows that Kyle Gibson is one of the best people on planet earth, so to be able to have him be a part of this team again is huge. Everybody’s looking forward to it.

“He’s such a role model, mentor in every single aspect of his life. He did great things with this team a couple years ago and I’m excited to be a part of it with him.”

The Orioles will break out one of the oldest rotations in baseball after Gibson completes his spring training.

BRADENTON, Fla. – A running joke developed between veteran pitcher Kyle Gibson and his agent as the winter months passed without a new contract. Free agency was dragging like an infield mat. It’s better to laugh about the situation than to stress.

“The next guy that would sign,” Gibson said this morning, “I’d be like, ‘OK, well, I’ve got to be next.’”

He said it over and over.

Gibson officially came off the board last night by passing his physical with the Orioles and signing a $5.25 million contract with incentives. He’s back with the team that named him the Opening Day starter in 2023, won 101 games and a division title and lauded his performance and leadership – long after he left.

“Everyone that I’ve talked to, I mean, guys were talking about Kyle to me when I first got here,” said Charlie Morton, who signed for $15 million on Jan. 3. “They were like, ‘Oh yeah, Kyle was this guy in the clubhouse. Gibby was one of the best guys I’ve been around. A great teammate.’ And so to see that he’s re-signed here, like those are the kind of guys ...

SARASOTA, Fla. – The Orioles were on the brink of exploding, and in a good way. This wasn’t dissension. It was celebration.

They won 101 games and the division in 2023, stomping the rebuild into submission. The champagne was on ice after the clincher and players were handed goggles in the clubhouse to protect their eyes.

“You don’t need glasses,” veteran pitcher Kyle Gibson shouted. “The burn’s the best part.”

Now that’s leadership.

Free agency appeared to burn Gibson but he’s returning after signing a one-year contract last night for $5.25 million. Injuries dug into the Orioles’ depth. Gibson is one of the remedies. It just won’t be immediate with the need to undergo his own spring training and ramp-up.

SARASOTA, Fla. – The quest for starter depth has caused the Orioles to circle back to Kyle Gibson.

The club announced tonight that it signed Gibson to a one-year contract. A source confirmed that the deal guarantees $5.25 million. The Athletic also reported that Gibson can earn $1.525 million in performance bonuses.

Gibson, 37, spent the 2023 season with the Orioles and emerged as one of their most popular players while going 15-9 with a 4.73 ERA in 33 starts. He pitched for the Cardinals last season and registered a 4.24 ERA in 30 starts.

The free-agency process didn't move as quickly for Gibson this winter.

“Kyle was amazing for us a couple years ago, what he did in the clubhouse, plus how he took the ball every five days and kept us in almost every game,” manager Brandon Hyde said after a 9-1 loss to the Tigers at Ed Smith Stadium. “He was an unbelievable leader. Had a good year last year in St. Louis, and I’m really happy about having him back.”

SARASOTA, Fla. – Félix Bautista finally made it back into a Grapefruit League game tonight, his first in a week, and he stuck around for two outs and 26 pitches.

If the idea was to gain clarity on his status for Opening Day, the mission failed.

Bautista surrendered a wind-aided, opposite-field home run to Zach McKinstry. He struck out two batters but also walked two. Afterward, he described the outing as “good, excellent,” via interpreter Brandon Quinones.

“Apart from everything, I felt good, my arm feels really good,” he said. “I think right now the most important thing is feeling healthy and making sure I feel good out there.

The fastball topped out again at 98 mph and was clocked at 97 four times.

SARASOTA, Fla. – Dylan Carlson won’t play general manager. He’d prefer holding onto his sanity.

“You lose your mind a little bit,” he said.

Can’t argue with his logic.

Carlson came into Orioles camp and ran into a crowded outfield. The Orioles signed him on Jan. 27 to a one-year deal worth $975,000 with a $25,000 bonus if he reached 200 plate appearances. A week later, the team signed outfielder Ramón Laureano to a one-year contract worth $4 million and including a $6.5 million club option.

Cedric Mullins, Colton Cowser and Tyler O’Neill are going to be introduced on Opening Day in Toronto and Heston Kjerstad is expected to join them. Laureano’s deal and his ability to serve as a right-handed hitting backup in center field pretty much solidified his chances.

SARASOTA, Fla. – Gunnar Henderson remains out of the lineup tonight against the Tigers at Ed Smith Stadium. He’s taking live batting practice Saturday against pitchers on one of the back fields.

Henderson hasn’t played since Feb. 27 and seems unlikely to be ready for Opening Day, but the Orioles are keeping the door cracked.

Grayson Rodriguez played catch again today and “it went well,” according to manager Brandon Hyde.

Emmanuel Rivera remains out due to a sore left shoulder. Chayce McDermott will have a light bullpen session on Saturday. Trevor Rogers is playing catch but is "a long way away," Hyde said.

Closer Félix Bautista is pitching tonight in the last home exhibition game.