SARASOTA, Fla. – Orioles reliever Mychal Givens is throwing on flat ground today to test his left knee. His status for Opening Day won’t be resolved this quickly.

“Unsure at this point,” manager Brandon Hyde said this afternoon.

The bullpen already had a few pockets of uncertainty and Givens is the latest complication. He was a lock until the discomfort surfaced, and he hasn’t pitched in a week.

The Orioles have used Givens in four games, holding back his first appearance until March 6.

Grayson Rodriguez has struggled in the fourth inning in his last two starts, and he’s allowed six earned runs and nine total with 10 hits in his last two outings covering 6 2/3 innings.

SARASOTA, Fla. – Cedric Mullins has returned from the World Baseball Classic and is in center field tonight as the Orioles play the first of three consecutive night games.

Grayson Rodriguez makes his fifth start of the spring. Adley Rutschman is catching him.

The lineup could be repeated often in the regular season.

Ryan Mountcastle is at first base and Anthony Santander is the cleanup hitter and playing right field. Ramón Urías is the designated hitter, with Adam Frazier starting at second base.

Gunnar Henderson is at third base.

SARASOTA, Fla. – The little bit of roster uncertainty clinging to the Orioles can’t touch Adam Frazier.

Frazier could get the bulk of the work at second base this season, with chances to move to the corner outfield. The infield’s versatility makes it difficult to declare absolute starters at each position.

How Frazier hit in camp didn’t matter except to the player who put in the extra reps in the cage to swing his way out of his offensive funk.

Frazier was 0-for-9 in his first four turns in the lineup. He’s reached base in seven of the next nine, including two doubles, a home run and three walks, and has struck out only once this spring.

The .182/.270/.333 line that he’ll carry into tonight’s game against the Tigers, with six hits in 37 plate appearances, won’t come close to satisfying him. But the solutions are within reach.

DUNEDIN, Fla. – Dean Kremer is ready for Opening Day. Not to take the ball for the first game in Boston. He doesn’t expect that to happen. But to break camp and pitch in games that truly matter.

Kremer worked a spring-high five innings this afternoon against the Blue Jays and did more throwing in the bullpen after reaching 67 pitches. Two of the three hits were solo home runs.

“I feel like I’m built up enough to kind of eat some innings,” he said.

Bo Bichette homered on a sweeper with one out in the first inning. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. looped a single into right-center, but Brandon Belt struck out on a changeup and catcher Anthony Bemboom threw out Guerrero trying to steal for the double play.

Kremer walked Matt Chapman among the three fly ball outs in a 19-pitch second inning. Then came the cruising part of his start, retiring the side in order on five pitches in the third and eight in the fourth.

DUNEDIN, Fla. – Veteran reliever Mychal Givens has slipped out of lock status.

Givens hasn’t pitched since Thursday due to a sore left knee, which manager Brandon Hyde revealed this morning. Givens has made only four appearances with the Orioles this spring, allowing an unearned run in four innings and striking out seven batters.

“Hoping he gets on the back field in a couple days,” Hyde said.

Asked whether the knee could impact Givens’ availability on Opening Day, Hyde said, “Hopefully not.”

“It just got sore,” Hyde said, “and so we’re taking some precautionary measure against it, taking it easy with him, and hopefully he’ll be able to break with us.”

DUNEDIN, Fla. – The Orioles aren’t bringing many projected starters to Dunedin for today’s game against the Blue Jays at TD Ballpark.

Kyle Stowers is in left field and batting second behind Terrin Vavra. Ryan McKenna is in center field, with Cedric Mullins anticipated to rejoin the club Thursday after playing in the World Baseball Classic.

Jordan Westburg is the starting shortstop and Anthony Bemboom is catching Dean Kremer.

The three left-handed hitters competing for the backup job at first base are on the trip. Franchy Cordero is at first, Ryan O’Hearn is batting cleanup and serving as the designated hitter, and Josh Lester is the third baseman.

Other players in Dunedin include relievers Bryan Baker, Mike Baumann, Andrew Politi and Yennier Canó, outfielders Colton Cowser and Heston Kjerstad, and shortstop Jackson Holliday.

For the Orioles
Terrin Vavra 2B
Kyle Stowers LF
Franchy Cordero 1B
Ryan O’Hearn DH
Nomar Mazara RF
Ryan McKenna CF
Josh Lester 3B
Jordan Westburg SS
Anthony Bemboom C

Dean Kremer RHP

For the Blue Jays
George Springer RF
Bo Bichette SS
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. 1B
Brandon Belt DH
Alejandro Kirk C
Daulton Varsho LF
Matt Chapman 3B
Cavan Biggio 2B
Kevin Kiermaier CF

José Berríos RHP

SARASOTA, Fla. – Mychal Givens is due to make another spring appearance for the Orioles, perhaps this afternoon in Dunedin. It’s been six days. He hasn’t allowed an earned run in four outings and his heels are dug into his lock status in the bullpen. A sure thing if healthy.

The sidearmer has surrendered an unearned run and two hits with seven strikeouts in four innings. He looks much the same as the reliever who worked in high leverage situations for the club before the 2020 trade with the Rockies.

There’s one particular oddity.

Givens was called twice for balks in his first appearance and had another in his next game. He isn’t doing anything differently with runners on base.

The new pitch clock could be the culprit, influencing how umpires are policing the pitchers.

SARASOTA, Fla. – Cole Irvin got his extra up this afternoon, pitching into the sixth inning for the first time. He pumped strike after strike and rationed the Red Sox to Adam Duvall’s solo home run through the fifth. Pretty much how he wanted to wind down his stay in Orioles spring training.

Irvin surrendered back-to-back doubles to Duvall and Daniel Palka in the sixth to raise his pitch count to 68. Manager Brandon Hyde came out of the dugout and got him. Nothing else was needed from him.

Cionel Pérez stranded the runner with a popup and two strikeouts.

“That wasn’t actually the plan,” Hyde said following a 6-2 win played in 2 hours and 6 minutes.
“Because of Cole’s quick pitch count, wanted to send him back out there for six ups.”

In his four exhibition starts, not counting the back field work, Irvin has allowed five runs and 17 hits with one walk and nine strikeouts in 14 1/3 innings.

SARASOTA, Fla. – Orioles outfielder Anthony Santander walked into the clubhouse this morning wearing a gray sweatshirt with the hood pulled over his head and a pair of shades covering his eyes. The smile was unmistakable, though. It gave away his identity.

So did the teammates who rushed over to hug Santander and ask how it felt to play for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic. He had stories to share, usually starting with how incredible it was for him.

“Like a dream,” he said, as the media gathered at his locker. “Oh my God, unbelievable experience. I’m very grateful and happy for the opportunity. That’s something that I’ll never forget, being there, playing like a kid in big situations. It’s amazing. Something really, really good.

“Feel really proud to be able to wear that jersey, representing the whole country, family, my hometown. That’s something that, as a player you never forget that big moment. The most important thing is we bring some happiness to our people back there. Even though we didn’t get to the final, I feel so proud of the team, the chemistry that we got. That was awesome. To be able to share the clubhouse with big names like Miggy (Miguel Cabrera), (José) Altuva, Salvador (Pérez) and learn from them. That was also a great experience.”

Santander was 6-for-17 with two home runs and five RBIs before Team USA eliminated Venezuela in the quarterfinals.  

SARASOTA, Fla. – The Orioles are breaking out a lineup today that could have many similarities to their Opening Day setup, except with Austin Hays in center field while Cedric Mullins remains with Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. And Gunnar Henderson isn’t playing after he homered yesterday in Clearwater.

Mullins could be back by Thursday, with the WBC final played tonight.

Adley Rutschman is catching Cole Irvin and Anthony Santander, who returned yesterday from the WBC, is serving as the designated hitter.

Ryan O’Hearn is in left field with Hays moved to center again. Kyle Stowers is in right field.

Ramón Urías is the third baseman.

SARASOTA, Fla. – The Orioles could make their deepest roster cuts over the last days of spring training, but they’re also expected to do more chopping leading up to the deadline. The excess consists of 20 players, leaving plenty of work to do before boarding the charter flight to Boston.

Minor league catcher Maverick Handley finally got a locker in the main clubhouse after dressing across the hall in the auxiliary space, but he’s on the clock and he knows it. He didn’t report as a non-roster invite to win a job behind starter Adley Rutschman. That goal becomes more realistic in a year or so.

Mark Kolozsvary was reassigned yesterday, counted among the five latest cuts. Handley unpacked his bags after returning from Clearwater.  He’s still standing.  

Rutschman singled in his final at-bat Sunday afternoon, and Handley jogged out of the dugout to replace him at first base. They slapped hands - Handley backing up his friend, and formerly the No. 1 prospect in baseball.

The Orioles made Rutschman the first overall pick in the 2019 draft out of Oregon State. They chose Handley in the sixth round out of Stanford.

SARASOTA, Fla. – The Orioles have trimmed their starter competition to eight pitchers.

Left-hander Bruce Zimmermann was among five camp cuts this afternoon, the announcement coming long after a 14-6 loss to the Phillies in Clearwater.

Zimmermann and left-handed reliever Nick Vespi were optioned to minor league camp. Infielder Lewin Díaz, left-hander Darwinzon Hernández and catcher Mark Kolozsvary were reassigned because they aren’t on the 40-man roster.

The spring training roster is down to 46 players, including 12 non-roster invites. Twenty more subtractions are coming before the March 30 opener in Boston.

Pitchers John Means and Dillon Tate eventually will be moved to the injured list.

CLEARWATER, Fla. – The lower-back discomfort is behind DL Hall.

So are the bullpen sessions in Sarasota and the simulated game that prepared him for today’s exhibition debut at BayCare Ballpark.

Manager Brandon Hyde wanted to give Hall two innings this afternoon against the Phillies, but the club’s No. 2 pitching prospect was done after 1 2/3. He retired the side in order in the sixth but allowed three runs (one earned) and three hits with a walk in the seventh. Hall threw 43 pitches, 28 for strikes.

“Just good to toe the rubber again,” he said, “so can’t complain.”

Hall struck out Brandon Marsh on a 94.1 mph fastball and Edmundo Sosa on an 81.1 mph curveball in the sixth and used his changeup to retire Josh Harrison on a fly ball. His fastball topped out at 95.8 mph.

CLEARWATER, Fla. – Tyler Wells came out of yesterday’s start in Tampa and wondered why he wasn’t summoned to speak with the media. Where did everybody go?

That’s when it hit him. He was pitching in a split-squad game against the Yankees. The Orioles also were home against the Pirates, and no one traveled besides team personnel.

The box score showed Wells working 3 2/3 innings and allowing one run and five hits with no walks and three strikeouts. What it didn’t reveal were his opinion of the performance and a change in his hand placement on the mound.

“I was happy with the results,” he said this morning. “We were testing something out yesterday in the delivery with a little bit of a different glove positioning, so getting comfortable with that. I was definitely happy with how I felt out there, the ability to command the zone. No walks, obviously.”

Wells focused on keeping the glove close to his body.

CLEARWATER, Fla. – DL Hall is making his exhibition debut this afternoon against the Phillies in Clearwater, where he also pitched for the first time last spring.

Hall threw a two-inning simulated game last week to prepare for today's assignment.

Hall and Félix Bautista are following starter Kyle Bradish. Rule 5 pick Andrew Politi also is on the trip.

The Orioles stacked the bottom of their order with prospects.

Jordan Westburg is batting seventh and playing second base, followed by designated hitter Heston Kjerstad and left fielder Colton Cowser.

SARASOTA, Fla. – Just as the Orioles appear closer to deciding on their eight relievers for Opening Day, they toss another grenade into the projections and mocks that already are ill-equipped to instill absolute confidence.

I’m expanding my locks to six, with Dillon Tate absent due to the forearm strain that’s kept him out of games but closer Félix Bautista back in the mix.

Bautista is pitching later today against the Phillies in Clearwater, increasing his number of games and innings to three. He’s expected to make another appearance Thursday night against the Tigers in Sarasota. The big man inching closer to that charter flight to Boston.

Cionel Pérez, Mychal Givens and Bryan Baker already were secure. Baker had a nice bounce back outing yesterday with a scoreless sixth inning, striking out a batter and allowing just a soft single from Ji-Man Choi to the opposite field. He retired Oneil Cruz and Carlos Santana on fly balls and fanned Bryan Reynolds.

Baker insisted that felt good on the mound and the results would get better. Not an ounce of concern from the reliever or anyone else in the organization. And yesterday proved why.

SARASOTA, Fla – Kyle Gibson is the first Orioles pitcher to complete five innings.

He looked like a pitcher today who would go first in the regular season rotation.

Gibson shut out the Pirates on three hits and struck out seven batters. He didn’t issue a walk.

With only two runs allowed in 14 innings, Gibson is carrying a 1.29 ERA into his final start before the Orioles fly to Boston. He’s struck out 13 and still hasn’t walked a batter.

“That was probably about as good as my stuff’s felt, maybe, in a long time,” he said.

SARASOTA, Fla. – Left-hander John Means elevated his full-mound bullpen session yesterday.

Means said he threw changeups for the first time, counting 10 of them among his 30 pitches.

“I felt great,” he said. “I was excited about it all day.”

Means estimated that he’s done five or six bullpens, throwing every other day for the last few weeks.

More changeups are coming next week, followed by some breaking balls in April.

SARASOTA, Fla. – The Orioles are playing their last split-squad games of the spring this afternoon, with part of the clubhouse in Tampa to play the Yankees and the others staying back to face the Pirates.

Adley Rutschman is catching Kyle Gibson in Sarasota. Gunnar Henderson is playing third base and batting cleanup.

Heston Kjerstad is in left field. Adam Frazier is leading off again, this time as the designated hitter.

Anthony Bemboom is catching Tyler Wells in Tampa. Terrin Vavra is the second baseman and leadoff hitter, Kyle Stowers is in right field, Jordan Westburg is the shortstop and Colton Cowser is in center field.

Ryan O’Hearn makes his second consecutive start since returning from a knee injury. He’s playing first base.

SARASOTA, Fla. – Bryan Baker sees the glimmers of good through the pile of poor spring statistics.

Baker has made six exhibition appearances and allowed runs in five of them. Nine total and 11 hits in 5 2/3 innings. A serious issue if he were fighting for his professional life, if he hadn’t become a trusted high-leverage reliever for the Orioles last summer.

“I’m trying to focus on the positives with how good I feel bouncing back from outing to outing right now, which is better than it’s ever been. So, I’m trying to focus on that and kind of rejoice in the fact that I’m throwing a bunch of strikes right now,” Baker said yesterday morning.

“I think the rest of it will figure itself out.”

Baker retired the first two Twins batters on Friday and served up a home run to Kyle Farmer, on a day that the ball was flying out of Hammond Stadium. So close to a clean inning.