With four workouts remaining before Grapefruit League play begins, the Baltimore Orioles held their first full-squad session Monday at Ed Smith Stadium.
Majority owner David Rubenstein toured the clubhouse and watched live batting practice alongside minority owner Michael Arougheti, underscoring the organization’s presence early in camp. Manager Craig Albernaz addressed players and staff, emphasizing alignment from ownership to clubhouse.
“It was great,” Albernaz said. “The players should feel the support that they have from the organization. They should feel that the organization is pulling for them and not working against them.”
Jackson Holliday rejoined the club and was scheduled to have his cast removed later in the day. The 20-year-old said he will allow his recovery to dictate his timeline.
“I’m hoping it doesn’t linger too long,” Holliday said. “I think it’s just kind of going off how I feel. Obviously, I don’t want to rush anything at the beginning of the season and kind of press on something that doesn’t need to be pressed on. But, I’ve got nothing to do but try to get better as fast as I can and just looking forward to that process.”
Holliday’s absence could create early opportunities for newly acquired utility man Blaze Alexander, who was dealt from the Arizona Diamondbacks in a trade that sent Kade Strowd, Wellington Aracena and José Mejía to the desert.
“The trade came definitely by surprise,” Alexander said. “Pretty close to spring training time. I was actually just getting ready to go to the facility in Arizona when I got the phone call. But stuff happens, man. It’s a business, and I couldn’t be more excited to come here, represent Baltimore and be an Oriole.”
Zach Eflin, Shane Baz and Dean Kremer threw live batting practice Monday morning. Kremer is receiving additional work as he prepares to pitch for Team Israel in the World Baseball Classic.
Kremer generated multiple strikeouts, including two apiece of Reed Trimble and Coby Mayo, while Baz continued to flash swing-and-miss stuff, mixing a sharp curveball with an elevated fastball to retire Tyler O’Neill, Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson.
Eflin faced hitters for the first time since undergoing back surgery last August, striking out Leody Taveras and Samuel Basallo before being shut down at his pitch limit.
“I’m thrilled with where I’m at,” Eflin said. “The main goal was to go in there, feel healthy and get off the field. That’s what I did. I probably threw like 20 pitches and felt awesome. Felt really, really good. So, I’m really encouraged.”
Albernaz said he does not plan to hold formal intrasquad games before exhibition play begins on Friday. Defensive work included Pete Alonso and Ryan Mountcastle at first base, Blaze Alexander and Jeremiah Jackson at second, Gunnar Henderson and Luis Vázquez at shortstop and Coby Mayo and Weston Wilson at third.
Sam Huff worked with Adley Rutschman and Samuel Basallo, an early indication he could factor into the competition for a third catcher spot.
After drills, Albernaz addressed the team at the front of the handshake line and again behind the mound, reinforcing a tone of authenticity in his first full camp as manager.
“I’m myself at all times, and that’s what I feel like the players want to hear,” Alby said. “They want to hear authenticity. They want to hear what you’re really about, and they can see through when stuff’s fake. So, I was myself. I’m always going to be myself to a fault.”
SIDE NOTES:
- Single-A Delmarva will host Double-A Chesapeake on March 27 at 6:05 p.m. and March 29 at 2:05 p.m. for a pair of exhibition games
- FanGraphs ranked four Orioles prospects in its top 100: Samuel Basallo (No. 4), Dylan Beavers (No. 39), Luis De León (No. 64) and Trey Gibson (No. 83)
Camp continues Tuesday with additional bullpen sessions expected. Updates on Jordan Westburg (low-grade oblique strain) could follow, while Chris Bassitt, Jackson Kowar and Andrew Kittredge are nearing live batting practice, as the Orioles move closer to their first spring training games.
Be sure to check back tomorrow for the Tuesday edition of SpringNotes.
What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments below! Make sure to follow The Baltimore Battery on Facebook, X, Bluesky and TikTok, and use the hashtag #baltimorebattery when sharing our content!
Represent The Baltimore Battery and show off your fandom with our official merchandise! Reasonably-priced attire made just for you! Visit our official shop site by clicking here!
Like Stephen’s content? Follow him on X – @SRJHeckman, and listen to the official podcast of The Baltimore Battery, The Final Strike, anywhere you get your podcasts!
THE BALTIMORE BATTERY 
Leave a comment