Aberdeen IronBirds begin a new season tonight (O's release Clark)

The short-season Single-A Aberdeen IronBirds begin a new season in the New York-Penn League tonight at 7:05 p.m. at Hudson Valley. Coming off the first playoff appearance in the 12-year history of the franchise, the IronBirds will play their first seven games on the road and open at home a week from tonight against Brooklyn at Ripken Stadium.

Former big league catcher Matt Merullo, who led the club to a 40-32 record last season, returns as manager. Justin Lord is the pitching coach and Scott Thomas is Aberdeen's hitting coach.

The IronBirds went 20-11 over their final 31 games in 2013 to make the playoffs before getting eliminated two games to none by Tri-City.

Aberdeen's opening day roster will include Dylan Bundy, who continues his comeback from Tommy John surgery last June 27. Bundy is expected to make at least three starts for Aberdeen, pitching Sunday and then again on June 21 and June 27.

Right-hander Janser Severino will start tonight in the season opener. The 22-year-old from the Dominican Republic went 3-4 with a 3.92 ERA in 18 games last season for Aberdeen.

He will be followed in the season-opening six-man rotation by Stephen Tarpley, Bundy, Augey Bill, Nick Cunningham and Bennett Parry.

Aberdeen's roster includes two 2014 draft picks in Steve Wilkerson (Round 8) and Jay Gonzalez (Round 10). The roster also includes Tarpley, the 2013 third-round pick; last year's fourth-round pick, catcher Jonah Heim; and 2013 sixth-round pick catcher Alex Murphy from Calvert Hall in Baltimore.

The roster limit is 35 in the New York-Penn League. Aberdeen is at 33 now and will likely be adding to that and see its roster changing a bit as more draft picks are signed and report to the team.

Aberdeen's opening-day roster:

Pitchers: Brady Adamek, Augey Bill, Derrick Bleeker, Garrett Cortright, Stefan Crichton, Nick Cunningham, Dariel Delgado, Dioni Dominguez, Eric Green, Ivan Hernandez, Nik Nowottnick, Bennett Parry, Elias Pinales, Alex Santana, Janser Severino, Stephen Tarpley.

Catchers: Jonah Heim, Alex Murphy, Tanner Murphy.

Infielders: Byron Capellan, Federico Castagnini, Cameron Kneeland, Ronarsy Ledesma, Cory Segui, Hector Veloz, Justin Viele, Steve Wilkerson.

Outfielders: Jay Gonzalez, Manny Hernandez, Sam Kimmel, Oswill Lartiguez, Alexander Mercedes, Andrickson Zorilla.

Clark released by O's: The Orioles have released Zach Clark. The UMBC product pitched in one game for the O's last year, going 1 2/3 innings against Seattle on May 1 and allowing three runs for an ERA of 16.20.

Clark, 29, tried to become a knuckleball pitcher and the Orioles had him pitching in extended spring training. But as extended spring is now over and short-season rosters are being set for Aberdeen and the Gulf Coast League there wasn't a roster spot for Clark and he was released this morning. In eight minor league seasons with Baltimore, he was 52-59 with a 4.21 ERA in 196 games (140 starts).