It was mandatory report day for the remaining players to arrive at spring training.
Though the first official workout isn’t until tomorrow, there was some work being done today.
One of the big bits of news out of camp today was Kyle Bradish talking to the media for the first time since June 2024, his final start before Tommy John Surgery.
Bradish is throwing on flat ground and says that his arm feels great. It’s just standard throwing with no spin, mound and mechanics.
“Arm feels really good,” Bradish said this morning at his locker. “No setbacks. Throwing program is going good. Right now, I’m just focused on day-to-day throwing. Not really focused on mound or stuff like that.”
Bradish says he was trying to help his team last year and that originally, the pain was similar to the year before.
He claimed that if he originally had the surgery in January, he would have had doubts, and he couldn’t just go without a fight.
“What I was feeling was what I was kind of dealing with in the second half the year before,” Bradish explained. “We didn’t know what extent it was, so I decided I could go out and pitch. It just kind of gradually got worse, but I think if I would have gotten surgery in January, there kind of would have been a little regret and questioning if maybe I didn’t have to get surgery because I didn’t feel that bad at that moment.”
There is no timetable for Bradish to return, but realistic expectations would have him coming back after the All-Star Break but not knowing how deep into the second half.
All-Star closer Félix Bautista threw his second bullpen session today. The mechanics and velocity were good, as the Orioles will slowly ramp him up for the start of the season. He was seen working with a plastic batter that could be flipped around to each side of the plate.
Also throwing bullpens today were Charlie Morton and Thaddeus Ward.
Tomoyuki Sugano was due to throw a bullpen session today but requested that it be pushed back a day. Nothing is wrong. Sugano just wanted an extra day of rest after traveling 16 hours from Japan to the United States.
Another player returning from Tommy John is Jorge Mateo, who was with Bradish and Tyler Wells, throwing long toss on one of the back fields. He is expected to return the soonest, though an IL stint is still possible to open the season.
Speaking of infielders, there was some light infield work done today that included Gunnar Henderson (SS), Jackson Holliday (2B), Jordan Westburg (3B) and Coby Mayo (1B).
Former first-round pick Enrique Bradfield Jr. focused on adding weight this offseason. After stealing 74 bases in 108 games, Bradfield Jr. says he feels faster after putting on some extra pounds.
Adley Rutschman spent the offseason festering in disappointment over his second-half struggles last year. He says it has lit a fire under him, and early signs in camp show that sentiment.
“I didn’t have to look very hard to find motivation this offseason,” Rutschman said. “You’re just pissed off for months. You’re like, ‘OK, let’s lock it in. Let’s go.’”
Rutschman took both Grayson Rodriguez and Albert Suárez deep today, with loud blasts off the bat.
Orioles owner David Rubenstein arrived in camp today and answered some questions with the media.
One of the biggest questions asked was about spending. Rubenstein said he was in contact with GM Mike Elias every day and even multiple times a day during the offseason.
“I don’t have a financial limit,” Rubenstein said. “The money isn’t a big issue.”
The owner of the Orioles was asked about extensions for star players but was unable to offer any information. He did express his willingness to keep those players while also mentioning lifelong Orioles Jim Palmer and Brooks Robinson.
Rutschman and Henderson did have lunch today with Rubenstein, though it was not a business lunch.
Rubenstein did say he was excited for the renovations coming to Camden Yards. A new sound system and scoreboard are due to be put in place in the very near future.
The rest of the renovations will take place over the next two offseasons and include a bigger and better video board and improved clubhouses for the players.
SIDE NOTES:
– John Means signed a one-year contract with the Cleveland Guardians that includes a club option for the 2026 season
– Some minor league cuts to announce:
- RHP Anthony Morillo
- LHP Andry Mercedes
- INF Luis Vicioso (brother of Jorge Mateo)
Tomorrow will begin full-team workouts, in which we will begin to see the roster together. With owner David Rubenstein in camp, he will address the team and will provide more sound bites for the media.
We will be back for the next edition of SpringNotes tomorrow afternoon, so stay tuned for more updates from O’s camp.
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