The Super Bowl has been played, and once the clock hit 00:00, it signaled the beginning of baseball season.
While that is not an official truth in Major League Baseball, for millions and millions of fans, it rings truer than what MLB might realize.
Today, February 12, signifies the official start to Baltimore baseball, as pitchers and catchers report to camp to begin the journey that will lead to Opening Day.
This year, the regular season kicks off March 18, in Tokyo, Japan, with the official Opening Day on March 27. For the Orioles, the campaign starts in Toronto.
As pitchers and catchers report today, there will be physicals and baseballs tossed around, and outside of visa issues, all hurlers and backstops are expected to report on time.
While the media won’t be granted access until tomorrow, there are a few things that have come out of the first official day of spring training for the Orioles.
Guest coaches are always a sight through spring training camp. Many former players will come in and provide insight to the players from when they were fighting for a spot on the roster or how they prepared as a returning or new player.
This year, the Orioles have nine special guest coaches during various times at camp. They are as follows, along with the dates they will be in attendance:
- Scott McGregor: Feb. 12 – 22
- Ben McDonald: Feb. 18 – 22
- Zack Britton: Feb. 18 – 20
- Brian Roberts: Feb. 24 – 28
- J.J. Hardy: Feb. 20 – 26
- Adam Jones: Feb. 24 – March 7
- Al Bumbry: March 1 – 5
- John Shelby: March 6 – 10
- Nick Markakis: March 6 – 10
The Orioles announced that Mr. Splash and the Bird Bath will be in Section 225 at Ed Smith Stadium on March 8 and 9.
The Birds also announced that they will be investing $21 million of team funds to construct a state-of-the-art player performance center.
The center will be built at the Ed Smith Stadium complex, with construction beginning once spring training wraps up. The player performance center will include pitcher and hitting labs and should be operational by 2026.
The Orioles have also helped the surrounding community, according to Sarasota’s economic report from July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024.
In the report, it’s specified that the Birds helped to generate more than a $76 million impact while adding 1,080 jobs in Florida, a $61 million impact and 1,030 jobs in Sarasota County alone.
With pitchers and catchers reporting, there are a few things to watch as spring training gets under way.
One of the biggest storylines will be the return of All-Star and former Rolaids Relief Pitcher of the Year, Félix Bautista, after being removed from Tommy John Surgery nearly 16 months ago. How will The Mountain look and respond to his recovery?
There are also two young lefties, Cade Povich and Trevor Rogers, who will be looking to make a rotation that is pretty close to being set. With Albert Suárez likely moving to the bullpen, there are five players (Povich, Rogers, Dean Kremer, Tomoyuki Sugano and Chayce McDermott) competing for two rotation spots.
The other thing to watch as spring training moves forward is who will secure the Opening Day nod this season. While Zach Eflin has one Opening Day start under his belt, Grayson Rodriguez has yet to make one in his young career.
Elfin, who has a 3.32 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP in 28 March and April starts, has a career 5.72 ERA and 1.51 WHIP in nine games (eight starts) against the Toronto Blue Jays, who the Birds open up against this year. He has given up 15 runs (14 earned) in three career starts at the Rogers Centre and holds an 8.72 ERA and 1.88 WHIP across 14.1 innings.
Rodriguez, on the other hand, holds a career 3.68 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in five career starts against the Blue Jays and has a 3.12 ERA and 0.99 WHIP in three career starts in Toronto.
Lastly, the Orioles have announced their 2025 broadcast talent lineup, with the returns of Kevin Brown, Ben McDonald, Jim Palmer, Geoff Arnold, Brett Hollander, Ben Wagner, Rob Long and Melanie Newman. Brian Roberts and Dave Johnson are also back as analysts.
With Thursday being the first official day of team workouts, we will bring more information as camp continues. All players must report on February 18, with the first spring training game scheduled for February 22.
Team workouts will again be open to fans from Thursday the 13th to Friday the 21st. There is now an expanded viewing area as well, with most workouts being from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each day. Charm City Eats food truck will be in attendance on Saturday the 15th from 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. selling crab cakes and other Maryland-favorite food items.
Be sure to return tomorrow for more updates out of Sarasota on our up-to-date spring training series, SpringNotes.
What are your initial thoughts as camp gets under way? Let us know in the comments below! Make sure to follow The Baltimore Battery on Facebook, Twitter (X) and TikTok, and use the hashtag #baltimorebattery when sharing our content!
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