It was a picturesque morning to open workouts in Sarasota, even if the Baltimore Orioles’ injury report quickly shifted the tone.
Early arrivals at the club’s new training complex were treated to the sight of Gunnar Henderson, Kyle Bradish and Zach Eflin rolling putts on the new green outside before workouts began. But before long, the focus turned from leisure to roster questions.
President of baseball operations and acting-GM Mike Elias addressed several key health updates Tuesday, and while no significant injuries surfaced on the first reporting day, the second day brought more consequential news.
JACKSON HOLLIDAY
The Orioles’ second baseman fractured the hamate bone in his right hand during live batting practice Friday. Holliday will undergo surgery on Thursday and will not be ready for Opening Day, with a return expected a few weeks into the regular season.
JORDAN WESTBURG
Westburg is dealing with a right oblique strain that occurred three weeks ago. His timetable remains uncertain, though he has begun running drills. Elias did think that Westburg would be ready to go on Opening Day.
ZACH EFLIN
Eflin, who underwent back surgery last August, is a full-go for the start of spring workouts. He was playing catch with Tyler Wells earlier Wednesday morning.
COLIN SELBY
Selby is managing shoulder inflammation that has lingered throughout much of the offseason and will open the year on the injured list. His timetable is unknown at this point.
FÉLIX BAUTISTA
Bautista is expected to miss most, if not all, of the season following surgery to repair his right rotator cuff and labrum. His rehab is progressing well, though it remains early in the process.
That covers the stormy part of the day, so let’s get into the sun and fun, as camp otherwise opened with optimism.
The Birds begin spring with 70 players in camp, a number that will be trimmed to 26 by Opening Day — though, as Elias noted, that roster will evolve throughout the season as roles shift and depth is tested.
Baltimore’s slate of guest instructors this spring includes former manager and coach Sam Perlozzo, Adam Jones, Nick Markakis, John Shelby, Ben McDonald, Scott McGregor and Brian Roberts, each scheduled to appear at various points during camp.
Among the position players reporting early were Henderson, Westburg, Holliday, Pete Alonso, Colton Cowser, Coby Mayo, Ryan Mountcastle, Heston Kjerstad, Jeremiah Jackson and Enrique Bradfield Jr.
On the pitching side, the Orioles plan to stretch Tyler Wells out as a starter this spring while also evaluating his long-term role. Chayce McDermott, meanwhile, will be developed as a reliever.
The club has also not discussed implementing a strict innings limit for Kyle Bradish, as he builds off his late-season return from Tommy John surgery.
“I think we are just going to work with him and take it as it comes,” Elias said. “I think he is in the mindset of going out and pitching as much as he possibly can, but certainly, we know there is a lot of innings to cover this year.”
Dean Kremer, Shane Baz, Keegan Gillies and Eric Torres threw live batting practice today. Baz touched the mid-to-upper 90s on his fastball and enters camp as a potential No. 3 starter with significant upside in his second season removed from Tommy John.
SIDE NOTES:
• Pete Alonso’s locker now sits in the corner previously occupied by outfielder Cedric Mullins, with Henderson moved alongside him
• Dean Kremer was the pitcher on the mound when Jackson Holliday was injured during live batting practice
• Tyler O’Neill reported to camp healthy and candid about his 2025 performance, saying, “I definitely did not pull my weight last year the way I should have. That weighs mostly on me.”
• Coby Mayo is expected to receive reps at third base this spring, as well as first base and even corner outfield
This wraps up today’s edition of SpringNotes. As the days continue forward, there will be more information to come, so be sure to come back tomorrow for our third installment.
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