SARASOTA, Fla. – Tyler O’Neill has returned to the Orioles’ lineup this afternoon after being scratched Thursday night with a sore left rib cage.

O’Neill is batting cleanup in the split-squad game against the Twins in Sarasota.

Jackson Holliday is leading off and playing second base. Livan Soto is the shortstop with Gunnar Henderson receiving treatment for a strained right intercostal.

Adley Rutschman is the designated hitter, with Gary Sánchez catching Tomoyuki Sugano. Sugano is making his third exhibition start.

Colton Cowser is in right field.

SARASOTA, Fla. – There must be a voodoo curse in the Orioles déjà vu.

Their rotation was ravaged by injuries last season, and five starters at the major or minor league levels are headed for the IL – Kyle Bradish, Tyler Wells, Trevor Rogers, Chayce McDermott and Grayson Rodriguez, who joined a club that’s about as exclusive as the local Publix.

Rodriguez is receiving multiple opinions to determine the cause of the discomfort in the back of his right elbow, the severity of it and how long he’s going to be out. He won’t be ready for Opening Day, which punches a hole in a rotation that lost ace Corbin Burnes to free agency.

“It’s a huge loss, but at the end of the day we need Grayson for pretty much the majority of the whole season,” said Zach Eflin, the uncontested starter on March 27 in Toronto. “If it’s something that happens, preferably it would be now and get it out of the way and come back stronger. It’s a blow, but fortunately for us we have depth and we have the next guy up mentality, so we’ll be prepared for any situation we encounter.”

“It’s tough I think whenever you have an injury,” said Cade Povich. “We saw it unfortunately too many times last year with guys going down. It’s tough. I see how hard he worked to get back last year. Got here early, I’ve seen how hard he’s worked to come back, so hopefully it’s nothing big. Hopefully it’s something short and he can get back quick.”

SARASOTA, Fla. – Charlie Morton worked three scoreless innings today against the Rays with only one hit allowed, a double on a fly ball to left field that Daz Cameron had difficulty tracking in the wind and high sky. Morton hasn’t surrendered a run in six exhibition innings. Everything looks impressive.

That’s the simple surface observation. There’s much more going on with Morton, a veteran entering his 18^th major league season.

“I’ve been working on some pitch shape stuff, maybe trying to understand where I’m at a little bit more with movement and stuff, and how my mixes play together,” said Morton, always ready with a thoughtful and detailed answer. “Like today, it was good. I threw a couple pretty good four-seamers, a couple ones that I think didn’t necessarily play. I think the two-seamer, we’ve been talking about that, maybe mixing that a little bit more, especially to righties, because last year especially, righties were giving me fits. And to see some swing and miss on my breaking ball.”

Morton struck out the side in the first inning on 15 pitches, topping at 95 mph and touching 94 four times. A fourth strikeout ended the second inning, with Morton’s fastball again reaching 95 mph. Josh Lowe’s two-out walk in the third didn’t hurt.

“All in all I feel pretty good, but I think probably another few weeks, even into the regular season, until I’m really, truly and honestly aware of where I’m at,” said Morton, who threw 46 pitches, 26 for strikes.

SARASOTA, Fla. – Orioles reliever Andrew Kittredge underwent left knee debridement surgery yesterday, with Dr. Leigh Ann Curl handling the procedure in Baltimore.

Kittredge made only one appearance this spring, on Feb. 26 in Bradenton, where he allowed two hits and walked a batter but didn’t surrender a run. He warmed in the bullpen last Saturday but didn’t pitch because of the discomfort.

Manager Brandon Hyde said yesterday that Kittredge, who signed a contract that guarantees $10 million and includes a team option for 2026, would be out for a few months.

A debridement removes dead, infected or damaged tissue from a wound, with the intent to promote healing by eliminating obstacles to tissue regeneration.

Bryan Baker could be the in-house replacement for Kittredge on Opening Day, though it's an open competition and there's also the possibility of a trade or free agent signing.

SARASOTA, Fla. – The Orioles won’t pinch-hit for Adley Rutschman during the regular season, but the many differences and oddities in spring training sent Vimael Machín to the plate for the All-Star catcher in the fourth inning of Thursday night’s game against the Pirates.

Machín struck out, which also seemed unusual because he’s been on fire.

A second at-bat produced a fly ball to the center field fence, an extremely long out influenced perhaps by the wind, and a third resulted in a line drive single to right.

Last night’s game in Lakeland began with Machín batting .500 (9-for-18) with a double, home run, five RBIs, two walks and a 1.272 OPS. No one had more hits, a higher average and OPS, or appeared in more games than Machín’s 10.

Coming off the bench late, Machín singled in the ninth inning to start a three-run rally. He’s 10-for-19 and one of the most impressive players in camp.

LAKELAND, Fla. – Dean Kremer got in his work tonight, stretched out to 60 pitches. He’s healthy.

As the Orioles know, it could be a lot worse.

The Tigers hit three home runs off Kremer in three-plus innings, on an elevated sinker, fastball and splitter. He exited in the fourth with two on and no outs, and Logan Rinehart let both inherited runners score.

Kremer was charged with six runs and six hits with two walks and three strikeouts to leave his ERA at 9.00. He tossed three scoreless innings against the Phillies in his last start.

“Feel good, feel strong,” Kremer said. “Looking forward to continuing the buildup and ready for the season. I feel like I’m on track to be ready for five to six (innings) and first game of season.”

LAKELAND, Fla. – The latest injury updates from the Orioles apparently will keep starter Grayson Rodriguez and reliever Andrew Kittredge away from the Opening Day roster.

A drama-free camp has spun in a bad direction.

Manager Brandon Hyde said the discomfort in Rodriguez’s right arm is located in the back of the elbow, describing it as the point where it connects to the triceps. The Orioles will seek multiple opinions, but their projected No. 1 or 2 starter isn’t going to build up the necessary innings to break camp with the team.

The regular season begins March 27 in Toronto. Rodriguez has made only two exhibition starts totaling three innings.

“It’s not a ligament issue, so we’re not concerned about that, but it’s going to result in some missed time,” Hyde said. “As we get more information, we’ll share it with you, but right now he’s still getting opinions.

LAKELAND, Fla. – Félix Bautista is making his second spring training appearance tonight, as the Orioles hit the road to face the Tigers.

Bautista retired the Red Sox in order Monday afternoon in Sarasota.

Jordan Westburg is out of the lineup after returning to it last night. Gunnar Henderson remains out with a strained right intercostal, and manager Brandon Hyde will provide an update later.

Jackson Holliday is leading off tonight, followed by Ramón Urías at third base. Heston Kjerstad is in right field, Coby Mayo is the designated hitter and Samuel Basallo is catching.

Liván Soto is the shortstop.

SARASOTA, Fla. – The rotation, bullpen, infield and outfield are impacted by health issues in Orioles camp. Starter Grayson Rodriguez informed the club that he’s experiencing soreness in his right triceps. Reliever Andrew Kittredge is shut down with inflammation in his left knee and the club is discussing its options. Shortstop Gunnar Henderson is making gradual improvement after his diagnosis of a strained right intercostal.

The outfield had been immune to injuries until yesterday, with Tyler O’Neill scratched due to soreness in his left rib cage. He also missed a game with an illness. Manager Brandon Hyde said O’Neill should be available for the next home game.

The Orioles have plenty of veteran options if they need replacements, some of them graying more than others.

Adam Jones, Nick Markakis, Al Bumbry and John Shelby are together in camp as guest instructors. They covered a lot of ground back in the day and they’re covering different generations in team history.

“Bumbry’s playing center tomorrow. Ced (Mullins) and him are gonna switch off,” manager Brandon Hyde quipped.

SARASOTA, Fla. – A 95 mph fastball from Pirates reliever Peter Strzelecki tonight dropped Ramón Urías to the dirt in the bottom of the fifth inning. Urías stayed down for a few seconds while the crowd gasped in unison, got back to his feet and struck out.

Urías grabbed his equipment bag and walked down the right field line toward the clubhouse. He was coming out anyway, with manager Brandon Hyde making multiple substitutions. He left third base and upheld his status as a healthy infielder.

The gasps became sighs of relief.

Jordan Westburg returned to the lineup, but Gunnar Henderson remained out with a strained right intercostal and Jorge Mateo won’t be ready for Opening Day after his reconstructive elbow surgery in August, though he’s swinging a bat.

The Orioles need Urías to be their utility guy. They might need him to play shortstop for Henderson or third base if Westburg slides over. Tailing fastballs with his name on them are frowned upon in this establishment.

SARASOTA, Fla. – The latest dip in velocity from Grayson Rodriguez apparently stems from a physical issue.

Rodriguez is bothered by soreness in his right triceps, according to manager Brandon Hyde. He was evaluated today and the Orioles should have more information on Friday.

Asked if there’s a base level of concern anytime a pitcher admits to soreness, Hyde said, “Sure. I’m concerned every day right now with everybody.”

Standing outside the visiting clubhouse yesterday at Hammond Stadium, Rodriguez told the media that he felt “pretty sluggish” and couldn’t get behind the ball and spin it how he wanted. He threw 30 pitches against the Twins, 20 for strikes, and allowed one run and three hits with a walk, strikeout and hit batter over 1 1/3 innings.

The radar gun provided numbers that drew most of the attention and concern. Rodriguez’s four-seam fastball averaged 93.2 mph, topping out at 95.3 on Ryan Jeffers’ strikeout in the first. Christian Vazquez led off the second with a double into left-center field on an 89.5 mph fastball.

SARASOTA, Fla. – Rosters were announced today for the second Spring Breakout game. Orioles prospects will play Yankees prospects on March 15 at 6:05 p.m. in Sarasota.

Among the 26 Orioles are top prospect Samuel Basallo and No. 3 prospect Enrique Bradfield Jr.

Here is the complete list:

Pitchers
LHP Luis De León
RHP Michael Forret
RHP Nestor German
RHP Keeler Morfe
RHP Patrick Reilly
RHP Levi Wells
RHP Cameron Weston

Catchers
Ethan Anderson
Samuel Basallo
Miguel Rodríguez
Creed Willems

SARASOTA, Fla. – Former Orioles center fielder Adam Jones will have to pause his work in the front office and in the community to accept his latest honor on Aug. 9.

Jones and another former outfielder, Joe Orsulak, were elected to the club’s Hall of Fame. Long-time broadcaster Tom Davis will receive the Herb Armstrong Award given to non-uniformed Orioles personnel.

Jones officially retired from baseball as an Oriole on Sept. 15, 2023, and in January 2025 he returned to the organization as a special advisor to the general manager and community ambassador.

His accomplishments on the field made him an easy choice in his first year of eligibility.

Jones spent 11 of his 14 seasons with the Orioles and ranks among their all-time leaders in hits (fourth, 1,781), home runs (fifth, 263), RBIs (fifth, 866), runs (fifth, 875), doubles (seventh, 305) and games played (eighth, 1,613). Also, his 93 career outfield assists are tied with Nick Markakis for second behind Paul Blair’s 105.

SARASOTA, Fla. – Orioles manager Brandon Hyde finally could joke about it.

The closing of southbound I-75 due to an accident involving two semis that caused a significant hydraulic oil leak. His arrival in the visiting clubhouse at Hammond Stadium about an hour after first pitch. Sunscreen and a look of aggravation on his face.

Asked after the game about Grayson Rodriguez’s sluggish start, Hyde said, “On the radio, it was …”

He laughed for the first time – a few minutes after sharing the news of Gunnar Henderson’s strained right intercostal muscle. Someone needed to break the tension.

Losing Henderson for any length of time would hurt, and intercostals can bring a lengthy recovery period. But Hyde stressed how the diagnosis was a “very mild” strain, and that Henderson was improving “every single day.”

FORT MYERS, Fla. – The expected 26-man roster for the Orioles on Opening Day is in jeopardy.

Manager Brandon Hyde began today’s post-game media session with negative news regarding shortstop Gunnar Henderson and reliever Andrew Kittredge.

Henderson is bothered by a “very mild” intercostal strain on his right side. The injury occurred in the first inning of Thursday’s game against the Blue Jays at Ed Smith Stadium. Henderson exited with discomfort in his right side after making a leaping catch of Bo Bichette’s line drive and grounding out in his only at-bat.

“He’s feeling a lot better, but we’re just obviously going to slow play it a little bit and make sure that he’s 100 percent. But he’s getting a lot better every single day,” Hyde said following a 5-2 win over the Twins.

The intercostal is a muscle that runs between the ribs in the chest wall and assists in expanding and contracting the chest during breathing.

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Grayson Rodriguez didn’t make it through the second inning for the second time this spring.

Just trust the process.

Rodriguez came out of today’s game against the Twins after hitting Austin Martin with one out. He threw 33 pitches, 20 strikes, with a noticeable drop in velocity.

The four-seam fastball averaged 93.2 mph, topping out at 95.3 on Ryan Jeffers’ strikeout in the first. Christian Vazquez led off the second with a double into left-center field on an 89.5 mph fastball.

That wasn’t the issue, according to Rodriguez.

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Jordan Westburg is young by most standards, celebrating his 26^th birthday only last month. However, the soreness in his lower back is making him reconsider.

“I’m getting old,” he said this morning with a smile. “Feeling older by the day.”

Westburg hasn’t played since the Feb. 22 opener due to spasms in his back. He could return to the lineup as early as Thursday in Lakeland.

“Soon, any day now,” he said. “I feel good, back to full workouts.”

Westburg’s ailment isn’t a fresh story in spring training. He’s just the latest player felled by a mattress, in this case at the Airbnb in Sarasota that he’s renting with some teammates.

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Orioles infielder Jordan Westburg said his lower back is feeling much better and he should return to the lineup by Thursday or Friday.

Westburg said he experienced some spasms caused by a soft mattress at his Airbnb.

Reliever Andrew Kittredge remains shut down while working to eliminate the inflammation in his left knee. He doesn’t know when he’ll be available to pitch or whether his status for Opening Day could be impacted.

Jackson Holliday is leading off today against the Twins in Fort Myers.

Also on the trip are Adley Rutschman, Colton Cowser, Heston Kjerstad, Coby Mayo and Ramón Laureano.

SARASOTA, Fla. – The Orioles are on the road again today with their bus pointed toward Fort Myers for another game against the Twins at Hammond Stadium.

The redundancy this spring is mind numbing. No games in Port Charlotte, the third-shortest trip from Sarasota. Only one in North Port, which is the second shortest and super convenient for manager Brandon Hyde, to close out the Florida portion of the schedule.

Out of nine games, the Orioles have played the Pirates three times – losing all three - host them again Thursday night and head back to Bradenton Monday afternoon for a MASN telecast. They’ve gone to Clearwater twice and have a split-squad game there Sunday afternoon. They were in Fort Myers Friday and return less than a week later.

The five projected starters are impressing, and Grayson Rodriguez’s next turn is today. He tossed 1 2/3 scoreless and hitless innings against the Blue Jays in his debut. The only baserunner came from a hit-by-pitch.

“I was able to drive the fastball, changeup was working good, was able to throw the new sweeper once and got a bad swing on it, so I was pretty excited about that,” he said afterward.

SARASOTA, Fla. – The Orioles are off today. My mailbag never rests.

This is the spring training edition. You ask and I answer, just like in the summer, fall and winter.

The clarity, length and style are fine. No reason to mess with them - or for anyone to know if I do. Sue me.

Also, my mailbag hits home runs over the scoreboard and yours fouls out to the catcher.

If he plays, say, 145-150 games, do you think Tyler O'Neill will make us forget about Anthony Santander?
Let’s get one thing straight: We shall never forget about Anthony Santander. Never, I tell you! He was too impactful on the field and in the clubhouse. However, O’Neill has the power to make fans worry a lot less about the 44 home runs subtracted from the roster, and he’s a more accomplished outfielder. O’Neill has exceeded 100 games twice in his career and he hit 34 homers in 2021 and 31 last season. You get him in the 145-150 range and he’s going to do some serious damage. And then you hope that he doesn’t decide to opt out.