Orioles lineup includes Chris Davis leading off (with 40-man moves)

Chris Davis is leading off today for the Orioles as they open against the Twins at Camden Yards.

It wasn't just talk and speculation.

Davis has never batted first during the regular season. He had a handful of chances toward the end of spring training.

Craig Gentry is in right field instead of Colby Rasmus, likely a concession to Twins starter Jake Odorizzi's reverse splits. However, Pedro Álvarez is the designated hitter.

For the Orioles
Chris Davis 1B
Manny Machado SS
Jonathan Schoop 2B
Adam Jones CF
Trey Mancini LF
Tim Beckham 3B
Pedro Álvarez DH
Craig Gentry RF
Caleb Joseph C

Dylan Bundy RHP

Mark Trumbo ran sprints in the outfield earlier today to test his right quadriceps muscle. He's making good progress in his recovery.

What does it mean to win on opening day? It's only one of 162 games, but don't try selling that theory at Camden Yards.

"I can't speak for other places, but here, the only way they top off a great day at opening day is we win," said manager Buck Showalter. "What's a better word than 'pressure?' Pressure? No, you want to deliver.

"It's been a long offseason. It's the first time people are starting to think, hey, spring might be here. We might not have any more snow. The Orioles are playing. It's that time when a lot of people turn the page to another part of their lives, a season of their lives, so to speak, without getting too deep. And you do want to do your part and deliver.

"Got a lot of great things that have been done this offseason, from some additions we made and the netting we put up to the children being free. You think if all the things that have changed very quietly since last year, but it's still about winning baseball games."

The pregame festivities will include former head athletic trainer Richie Bancells, who retired after 41 years in the organization, throwing out the ceremonial first pitch.

"That's fun," Showalter said. "The respect everybody has for Richie and not only his time served, but his impact he's had on so many lives here. You can constantly see the players when they come back, they at some point make their way back there.

"I know at one meeting, I think it was the (Orioles) Hall of Fame induction, he talked about the training room being the heartbeat of the clubhouse and when I first heard that I thought, 'Hmm, I really don't want the heartbeat of the clubhouse to be in the training room.' But when I got to know Richie and everything it actually made a lot of sense because there was a constant there. They knew what they were going to get out of him. His consistency, his knowledge.

"The respect that everybody's had for him and the contributions he's made here are immeasurable. It was great for me to have a real consistent sounding board. I knew that I was going to get a straight, blunt ... It was more than just swelling and ankles and knees and whatever. It was also the read of the person. Knowing that everybody is not the same, and Richie always got that."

Update: The Orioles designated pitchers Stefan Crichton, Alec Asher, Michael Kelly and Jesus Liranzo for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for Gentry, Rasmus, Álvarez and Danny Valencia. Alex Cobb was optioned to Double-A Bowie. Trumbo and Gabriel Ynoa were placed on the 10-day disabled list.