SARASOTA, Fla. – Maybe Kyle Gibson got his bad game out of the way before Opening Day rather than on it.

Named the March 30 starter this morning, Gibson surrendered a pair of three-run homers by the second inning and faced 14 batters. He was removed with two outs in the first and his pitch count at 36, re-entered and worked through the fifth.

Certainly not what Gibson wanted, but it threatened to be a whole lot worse.

Gibson was just four batters into his start – two singles, Oswaldo Cabrera’s home run and a double – when manager Brandon Hyde and head athletic trainer Brian Ebel walked to the mound. A chilling sight considering Gibson’s status in the rotation and John Means’ absence from it after undergoing Tommy John surgery last April.

Ebel checked Gibson’s right hand, a warmup toss didn’t raise any further concerns, and the veteran kept pitching.

SARASOTA, Fla. – Dean Kremer will break camp next week as the No. 2 starter in the Orioles rotation, giving him the April 1 assignment in Boston.

Manager Brandon Hyde provided the information this afternoon but wasn’t ready to go further down the line. A few crumbs for the hungry media.

Kremer is starting Monday’s final exhibition game against the Cardinals in Sarasota, one day after Kyle Bradish faces the Phillies. However, Kremer is moving ahead of Bradish to begin the regular season.

Kyle Gibson is the Opening Day starter for the second time in his career. The club confirmed it this morning.

Kremer has allowed five runs in 14 innings this spring, all on solo home runs. He’s walked two batters and struck out nine.

SARASOTA, Fla. – The Orioles signed veteran right-hander Kyle Gibson in December to give them innings in a rotation thin on track-record starters, and to provide leadership in a youthful clubhouse. They knew that much.

What evolved later was his placement atop the rotation.

Gibson has been chosen as the Opening Day starter for the Orioles' game on March 30 against the Red Sox at Fenway Park. The club made the announcement this morning, about 9 ½ hours before he steps on the mound to face the Yankees’ split-squad team in Sarasota.

So much for projections earlier that Gibson could slot near the back end.

Gibson has made four starts and allowed two runs and 11 hits with no walks and 13 strikeouts in 14 innings this spring. He’s been chosen twice to pitch on Opening Day in 10 major league seasons, also earning the assignment with the Rangers in 2021.

SARASOTA, Fla. – Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said yesterday that the bulk of the final spring training cuts, and perhaps all of them, will be made before the club leaves Sarasota. He said the Orioles haven’t talked about bringing extra players to Boston besides the taxi squad.

“There are things that could happen,” he said, “but we haven’t even had those discussions yet.”

The camp roster still holds 44 players and must get down to 26.

“We still have a lot of cuts to make and we still have a lot of guys to pick from,” Hyde said. “We’re just kind of starting those conversations now.”

Some of the non-roster invites remaining in camp appear to be easy calls, and pitchers John Means and Dillon Tate will be placed on the injured list, but the Orioles might be waiting to decide on a backup first baseman and whether it simply involves moving some players from other positions.

SARASOTA, Fla. – The trouble that found Grayson Rodriguez in the fourth inning in his past two starts arrived a little earlier tonight.

Rodriguez allowed five runs in the third after retiring six of the first seven Tigers batters. Riley Greene and Spencer Torkelson burned him with two-out RBI singles and Nick Maton jumped on a two-strike pitch and cleared the center field fence.

In a reverse from his spring past, Rodriguez got a fly ball and two strikeouts while retiring the side in order in the fourth. He fanned former Oriole Jonathan Schoop on 10 pitches, blowing a fastball past him.

Andrew Knapp also struck out to end the inning, and left-hander Cionel Pérez began to warm. But again, the second time through the order created issues.

Rodriguez was charged with five runs and four hits in four innings, with no walks and five strikeouts. All of the damage occurred in the third.

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.