Highlights from the first day of workouts (with video)

SARASOTA, Fla. - With 35 pitchers in camp, the Orioles offered a heavy dose of bullpen sessions this afternoon on the first day of workouts.

The group consisted of Dylan Bundy, Jayson Aquino, Jhan Mariñez, Donnie Hart, Richard Bleier, Miguel Castro, Nestor Cortes Jr., Jeff Ferrell, Stefan Crichton, Jimmy Yacabonis, Eddie Gamboa, Jason Gurka, Hunter Harvey, Joely Rodríguez, David Hess and Pedro Araujo.

Michael Kelly stepped on the mound but didn't stay long.

Manager Buck Showalter joked whether Harvey needed to throw off a half mound. Harvey smiled and said, "Not anymore."

Mark Trumbo is the latest position player to report early. Trey Mancini, Austin Hays, Joey Rickard, Anthony Santander and Jaycob Brugman worked out together on one of the back fields.

Pitchers also spent part of the day stepping inside the batting cage at the new bunting station.

gausman-tongue-out-side.jpgKevin Gausman avoided his arbitration hearing, but not the media, which descended upon him for the second straight morning to talk about his contract situation.

It was resolved yesterday with Gausman settling at $5.6 million to avoid today's hearing in Phoenix, Ariz.

"It's a business and if we go to trial, it is what it is," he said. "Obviously, it's good to get it settled and to be here. It's important to be here the first couple of days, so I think that's good.

"I was pretty confident. I felt like both sides were getting close to a deal. So, yeah, I was confident we were going to get something done."

Gausman is seeking $6.225 million and the team filed at $5.3 million. He made $3.45 million last season. With bonuses and incentives, he can earn an additional $150,000 this summer.

"No bitterness," he said. "Obviously, I'm very blessed and excited and just ready to get this season started."

Gausman didn't know exactly how the agreement unfolded. He was prepared to pack up and fly to Phoenix, but never had to leave the complex.

"I'm not the one making those phone calls and stuff, but, yeah, I would think there would be kind of like, 'OK, there's kind of a sense of urgency,' " he said. "But just excited that it's over with and can now focus on getting outs for the Orioles."

Gausman said he was maybe 10 hours away from going to the airport.

"I don't even know if we bought a flight. I don't even know," he said, smiling. "I was going to show up and hopefully they had a ticket for me."

Jayson Aquino, Dylan Bundy and Jhan Mariñez throw a bullpen session in Sarasota.

Nestor Cortes Jr., Jeff Ferrell and Stefan Crichton throw from bullpen mounds.

Pitchers work on their defense on the first day of spring training workouts.

First O's Workout Wide.jpg

Orioles pitchers and catchers ready for their first spring workout




A scout's tale: Jim Howard is a longtime Oriole
Britton on his recovery and uncertain status
 

By accepting you will be accessing a service provided by a third-party external to https://www.masnsports.com/