Tyler O’Neill has limited exposure to Red Sox left-hander Garrett Crochet, who faces the Orioles tonight at Camden Yards. Only two at-bats – and one home run.

O’Neill is going to play anyway. He’s one of the primary outfielders and he hits .273/.378/.549 against lefties. But he’s hitting everybody so far in his brief Orioles career.

Given a day off in Toronto to keep his legs fresh, O’Neill has made four starts and gone 8-for-14 with double and prerequisite Opening Day home run. The eight hits are the most for an Oriole through his first four games with the club since José Iglesias had eight in 2020.

Four of O’Neill’s hits came in Monday’s home opener to tie his career high.

“Driving the ball the other way once, a little blooper the other way, not just being pull happy but opposite-field homer in Toronto. Playing really good defense for us,” said manager Brandon Hyde.

The Orioles used their home Opening Day to fish for compliments.

Fans had to be done complaining about a series split in Toronto and another injury. This was a time to party. The team was back at Camden Yards, the sun came out and players circled the bases in the first inning. The good times rolled, and no one got run over.

Cade Povich warmed to Eminem’s “The Real Slim Shady” and looked like the real deal with eight strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings, but the pitch count got him – 94 of them. Manager Brandon Hyde was left to piece together the rest.

The first four relievers combined for 3 2/3 scoreless innings and the Orioles had another offensive surge in the eighth in an 8-5 win over the Red Sox before an announced sellout crowd of 45.002.

Félix Bautista warmed with the Orioles ahead 4-3 and had to pitch the ninth, no longer in line for his first save since Aug. 24, 2023. He entered to Omar's whistle and a rousing ovation, and he allowed two runs on a leadoff walk, wild pitch, Romy Gonzalez double and two-out broken-bat single by Jarren Duran. Rafael Devers walked but Alex Bregman popped up.

TORONTO – Charlie Morton paced back and forth in the dugout, the frustration keeping the veteran starter on his feet. His Orioles debut lasted 80 pitches in only 3 1/3 innings, two inherited runners scored and a lead fell apart like his outing.

There will be better days and nights for Morton. This one was a challenge from the beginning with a barrage of hard-hit balls from a Blue Jays team perhaps still ornery from yesterday’s Opening Day beatdown.

Jackson Holliday homered in the third inning and Tyler O’Neill had a sacrifice fly in the fourth, but the Jays put five runs on the board in the bottom half and won 8-2 at Rogers Centre.

No one’s getting a sweep in this series.

The Orioles raised the bar yesterday with 12 runs and six homers, but the bats calmed tonight. They were held to three hits and committed two errors.

Just one spot in the O’s Opening Day lineup felt “different.” Batting fifth and playing right field for Baltimore, No. 9, Tyler O’Neill.

Anthony Santander, who had manned the corner outfield for the O’s for parts of the last eight seasons, trotted onto the Rogers Centre grass in Toronto blue. He hit third for Toronto and went 0-for-4 with a couple of runners stranded on base. 

All O’Neill did in his team debut was hit a home run in his sixth consecutive Opening Day, extending his own MLB record. That was part of his 3-for-3 day, plus two walks. Ho hum. 

So much has been made of the changes on the other side of the ball for Baltimore. The Orioles’ rotation was the hot topic of conversation all offseason long. 

After one year in an O’s uniform, Corbin Burnes is out in Arizona. Enter a full season of Zach Eflin, and free agents Charlie Morton, Tomoyuki Sugano and Kyle Gibson. 

TORONTO – The Orioles had one of those days in the opener that goes from successful to surreal. Every at-bat seemed to approach, tie or set a record. Tracking it in real time was exhausting.

A 12-2 thrashing of the Blue Jays showed just how potent the offense can be – one of, if not the best, in baseball. And wait until Gunnar Henderson returns.

Don’t rush him back from his rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk. He might kill the mojo.

I’m kidding, of course. But don’t rush him.

Further review and reflection last night led to these observations:

TORONTO – The Orioles’ first game of the 2025 season concluded with a celebratory handshake line. They won’t be satisfied until the final out creates bedlam.

This was a thunderous start.

They scored six times in the first four innings today against tormentor José Berríos, including Tyler O’Neill’s sixth straight Opening Day home run, and Zach Eflin held the Blue Jays to two hits in six innings in a 12-2 victory at Rogers Centre.

Adley Rutschman and Cedric Mullins also homered by the fourth, Mullins belted a three-run shot in the seventh, Rutschman launched a two-run shot in the eighth, Jordan Westburg came up next and cleared the left field wall, and the Orioles improved to 22-9 on Opening Day since 1995, the best record in baseball.

The team’s six homers on Opening Day broke the record of four set in 1982 and 2006. They hadn’t homered six times in any game since July 9, 2023.

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.

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.

SARASOTA, Fla. – The penultimate home game of the exhibition season finds Ramón Urías in tonight’s lineup for the Orioles. Gunnar Henderson, however, remains out of it.

Urías is playing third base, Jackson Holliday is at shortstop and Jordan Westburg is at second base.

Tyler O’Neill is in left field, Colton Cowser is in center and Heston Kjerstad is in right.

Cedric Mullins is leading off and serving as designated hitter.

Hot-hitting Ryan Mountcastle is out of the lineup.

SARASOTA, Fla. – The internet doesn’t have space limitations except for mailbags. There’s got to be a cutoff. Land the plane at some point. Spirit Airlines is taking volunteers. Live to write another day.

This is the day to share the leftovers, with the same minimal editing and mailbag flexes.

You come at the king, you best not miss.

Do you feel like the Orioles are being ignored as potential division winners? I’ve seen a lot of “the Red Sox have to be favorites with the Yankees injuries” or, “the door is open for the Blue Jays and Rays” or even “the Yankees are still 100 percent making the playoffs” (from Chris Rose) and no one expecting much from the O’s.
If it makes you feel any better, and that’s why I’m here, PECOTA has the Orioles with 88.4 wins – I’d bet heavy on them not hitting that exact total – and only the Rangers are calculated with more at 90.3. There’s your respect. The Yankees dropped to third place in the division behind the Blue Jays after Gerrit Cole’s elbow injury. Maybe this is bad news because PECOTA usually comes in low on the Orioles, but let’s keep it positive. I worry about you.

Fast forward to Sept. 1. Zach Eflin, Dean Kremer, Charlie Morton, Tomoyuki Sugano and Cade Povich are all pitching pretty well. Grayson Rodriguez, Kyle Bradish and Tyler Wells are healthy. Who’s making regular starts from Sept. 1 to the clinching game of the World Series?
And don’t say “your mom.” Oh wait … I’ll predict that Wells is in the bullpen and given another chance to start in 2026. I’d put Bradish in the rotation but that’s assuming he’s pitching again by September. I don’t see a world where Grayson Rodriguez isn’t in the rotation when he’s healthy. Eflin is a lock. Povich might have to be optioned if he’s just pitching “pretty well.” Morton might retire and be a greeter at Walmart. An age joke! I kid.

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. – 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.

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.

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles have a big pitching day lined up for this afternoon’s game against the Red Sox at Ed Smith Stadium.

Charlie Morton makes his second start, but that’s just the opening act.

Tomoyuki Sugano will follow in relief, his second spring training appearance after Wednesday’s start against the Pirates in Bradenton. And Félix Bautista will make his exhibition debut later in the game, his first action in a competitive game since Aug. 25, 2023, prior to his Tommy John surgery.

Other relievers today include Roansy Contreras and Matt Bowman.

Bautista won’t be used on back-to-back days or more than one inning early in the regular season, according to manager Brandon Hyde.

SARASOTA, Fla. – The best season of Keegan Akin’s professional life came with one harsh outcome that he’s able to laugh about five months later.

It took that long.

Pitchers dread the slow walk back to the dugout after surrendering a game-winning run. Head bowed, the roar of the opposing crowd ringing in his ears, reporters seeking an explanation and reaction.

Akin would like to forget, but the reminder has a locker set up on the other side of the spring training clubhouse.

Outfielder Tyler O’Neill punctuated a three-homer series against the Orioles in September by clearing the Green Monster in the 10^th inning. The Red Sox responded to Emmanuel Rivera’s tie-breaking single by taking advantage of a Jackson Holliday error and bringing O’Neill to the plate.

Tyler O'Neill would have been in today's Orioles lineup except he's dealing with an illness, according to manager Brandon Hyde, who met with the media in Sarasota for his daily pregame dugout session.

O'Neill hit a ball Thursday against the Blue Jays that cleared the concourse in left field for a three-run homer. He didn't make the trip to Fort Myers yesterday, but he wasn't going to play anyway. It didn't raise any red flags.

Starter Charlie Morton also was out of camp recently due to an illness and he made a quick return.

Dylan Beavers is starting in left field today as a late addition to the lineup.

Hyde also said that Jordan Westburg is feeling better and has been cleared for light baseball activities. He isn't swinging a bat because of the soreness in his lower back that's kept him out of the lineup since last Saturday's exhibition opener, but he's able to play catch.

SARASOTA, Fla. – A week of exhibition games seems like an appropriate time to share some observations before the Orioles play the Pirates this afternoon at Ed Smith Stadium. Cade Povich opposes Paul Skenes in a rematch from Spring Breakout, except this one airs on MASN.

Povich went three innings and allowed two runs, but hardly anyone noticed because Skenes was the dominant figure before he threw a pitch. Skenes retired the side in order in his only inning, striking out Jackson Holliday and Enrique Bradfield Jr.

That's the distant past. Let’s move a little closer.

* Rodolfo Martinez is a camp darling, though I wouldn’t necessarily use that word around him because the scowl could melt concrete. Media became infatuated with his high-velocity fastball, impressive side and live batting practice sessions and absence from an affiliated team since being in the Giants system in 2019. Who doesn’t love a good camp story?

Comparisons to Albert Suárez were inevitable because of their similar treks through foreign countries. In Martinez’s case, he’s still waiting to make his major league debut.

SARASOTA, Fla. – Félix Bautista completed his second live batting practice session this morning in the intense Florida heat on the Camden Yards replica field, and it won’t be much longer before he pitches in his first Grapefruit League game.

Heston Kjerstad and Gary Sánchez kept alternating at-bats until Bautista faced seven hitters. He threw 25 pitches with Triple-A catcher Maverick Handley behind the plate.

Kjerstad struck out swinging twice and Sánchez was caught looking. Kjerstad also lined to right field and either singled or doubled into left-center field. Sánchez also popped up and grounded to third base.

One of Bautista’s splitters caused Sánchez to flail at it below the zone. He had an audible reaction to it before turning to Handley for apparent confirmation on the pitch. Or perhaps they were just admiring the quality.

Bautista has graduated from bullpen sessions. The first live batting practice was Sunday while the Orioles traveled to Clearwater to play the Phillies.

SARASOTA, Fla. – Chayce McDermott still hasn’t been cleared to begin activities. However, he said earlier today that he feels “really good” after reporting to camp with a mild lat/teres strain.

“Can’t complain where I’m at,” he said, “so we’ll keep going and keep following the plan.”

McDermott is restricted to performing strength exercises and doesn’t know when he’ll be begin a throwing progression.

“It should be pretty soon,” he said. "I’m not 100 percent sure of the exact timeline. It’s just based on how I feel with everything and how I keep progressing.”

McDermott made his only major league start last season on July 24 in Miami and had an uphill climb this spring to break camp with the team. His injury likely has eliminated that possibility, but he can hop back into Triple-A Norfolk’s rotation, continue his development and try to rejoin the Orioles over the summer.

SARASOTA, Fla. – Gary Sánchez’s experience catching Japanese pitchers won’t necessarily give him regular starts on days that Tomoyuki Sugano is on the mound.

Maybe it evolves that way.

Sánchez was behind the plate yesterday for Sugano’s bullpen session, and he’s caught Masahiro Tanaka with the Yankees and Yu Darvish with the Padres.

“Post-bullpen, Gary and I sat on the mound and kind of talked about his experience with Tanaka and some of the other guys that he’s caught,” said pitching coach Drew French. “The versatility that they have and what their preferences are and how they talk about themselves, and I definitely think there are some parallels from his prior years in the game with what Tomo features.”

So what about becoming Sugano’s personal backstop?