O'Hearn on how he handles competing for job in camp

SARASOTA, Fla. – Ryan O’Hearn came off the bench yesterday and received two at-bats against the Pirates. He struck out, walked and played right field.

O’Hearn pinch-ran for Austin Hays the previous day, played left and right and went 1-for-2. He started at first base in Saturday’s exhibition opener and also went 1-for-2.

This is all that O’Hearn cares about beyond whether the Orioles win or lose. How he did. Not the other players who also are trying to grab the last bench spot.

Franchy Cordero started at first base yesterday and slugged a two-run homer, but he also struck out twice. Josh Lester pinch-hit for third baseman Gunnar Henderson and was hitless in three at-bats. Curtis Terry walked in his only plate appearance after replacing Cordero, and his spring includes a three-run homer.

Lewin Díaz stayed back in camp. He’s 3-for-5 with two doubles, a home run, four RBIs and a walk. Most likely going to come off the bench today against the Blue Jays in Sarasota.

The battle for the backup job at first base isn’t for the weak. It isn't going to be decided for a while. And it isn’t going to break O’Hearn.

He knows why he’s here. The Orioles want a sub for Ryan Mountcastle, ideally a left-handed bat. They have players on the 40-man roster who could bounce from their regular positions, but they also spent much of the winter stocking up on other candidates.

Create a deep pool and see who sinks to the bottom.

“Like I told someone, I like the competition,” said O’Hearn, who hit 26 home runs in 149 games in the first two of his five partial seasons with the Royals. “I feel like it brings out the best in me. I feel like over the years I’ve come into spring training having to fight for a spot, so this is nothing new to me. I like to compete, so it’s fun. I’m not letting it stress me out. I’m trying to enjoy the competition and show up every day just give my best effort and be the best player I can be, and at the end of spring training, wherever the cards land, that’s where they are.

“I’m enjoying it. It’s great to have an opportunity to be part of a team, possibly be part of a team like this, and so far it’s been awesome.”

The Orioles acquired O’Hearn from Kansas City for cash considerations on Jan. 3 and designated him for assignment two days later while claiming Díaz off waivers from the Braves. O’Hearn was outrighted, a fate that Díaz would experience later.

“It’s not ideal,” O’Hearn said with a laugh.

“When I got traded over here, there were two really good days, and then I got a call and found out, ‘Hey, you’re going to go through this whole DFA process again.’ But just try not to worry about that and stress myself out about stuff like that, and just realize like, ‘Hey, if you show up and you play well and you be yourself, good things are going to happen.’ Just kind of hang my hat on that and realize that what matters is what I do on the field.

“I’m not on the 40-man right now but that’s out of my control. Just focusing on what matters and what I can control.”

The Orioles put O’Hearn’s locker on catchers row, where minor league outfielder Robert Neustrom also dresses. His invite status in camp and the uphill climb to opening day in Boston haven’t dragged down his enthusiasm.

“It’s been great,” he said. “The hitting coaches are really smart, the guys have been awesome. It seems like a really first-class organization. Couldn’t be more happy with where I landed.”

* Kyle Gibson finally makes his first Orioles start Friday night against the Pirates. His spring line is untouched, and his influence on the team is undeniable.

“He’s been such a professional since he’s been here,” said manager Brandon Hyde. “I talked to a couple guys in Philly who were with him last year, they thought so highly of him. These are players that thought so highly of him and what he brings in the clubhouse. He has been that and more here.

“He’s a leader in every drill that we do, he’s a voice in the clubhouse. He speaks up. When we’re doing a drill and he wants to emphasize a point, he’ll say something. He’s been amazing. So, we’re really lucky.”

Grayson Rodriguez and DL Hall have their lockers close to Gibson, and it’s by design.

“You always want some young guys to be around the veterans who do it the right way, and Kyle’s been one of those guys,” Hyde said. “Hope some of the stuff rubs off on guys that we think have huge futures and have high hopes for.”

* The Orioles have walked 27 batters in four games. However, non-roster invites are responsible for 22.

Wandisson Charles has issued four walks in 1 2/3 innings. Kade Strowd walked four Tigers Sunday in two-thirds of an inning.

Cole Uvila is right behind them with three walks, in his one inning against the Twins in the opener. But at least he was credited with a hold.