It has become clear early in camp that injuries will shape the start of 2026 for the Baltimore Orioles.
Jackson Holliday is set to miss Opening Day after breaking the hamate bone in his right hand during live batting practice and undergoing surgery. Jordan Westburg is also limiting his activity early in camp due to an oblique strain, though his Opening Day availability is not believed to be in jeopardy.
On the field Tuesday, manager Craig Albernaz’s infield drills saw Pete Alonso and Ryan Mountcastle handle first base, while Luis Vázquez and Jeremiah Jackson worked at second, with newly-acquired Blaze Alexander and Gunnar Henderson at shortstop.
Coby Mayo and Weston Wilson continued on the third base side. Mayo’s continued work at third — rather than a return to first base — suggests the Orioles value his versatility, potentially deploying him there if Westburg shifts over to second while Holliday is out.
Baltimore’s roster construction has long leaned on multi-position defenders to keep their best bats in the lineup and withstand inevitable injuries. That trend showed up again in live batting practice, where Kyle Bradish, Tyler Wells, Keegan Akin and Yennier Cano took live work.
Bradish and Wells received two “ups,” a typical starter workload, with Bradish inducing a mix of strikeouts, grounders and fly balls. Akin’s breaking ball stood out, but it was Cano whose sharp slider and aggressive execution that drew attention.
When asked about the possibility of carrying a third catcher on the Opening Day roster, Albernaz left the door open.
“Everything is on the table,” Alby said. “We’ll see how camp goes and how everything falls out.”
Albernaz also has not yet named a starter for Friday’s Grapefruit League opener against the New York Yankees.
SIDE NOTES:
- Robinson Chirinos has rejoined the organization as a special assistant in baseball operations and player development. The former player and bench coach will split time working with lower-level players after finishing his role with Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic.
- Albernaz lets players decide the workout music each day for practice. The player chosen for a specific day will then choose the player for the next day. The one stipulation is to keep the music clean.
- Tony Clark, executive director of the MLBPA, plans to resign amid an investigation in the Eastern District of New York into alleged financial improprieties, including reports of an inappropriate relationship with a union employee hired in 2023. The timing is notable with the collective bargaining agreement set to expire and initial player meetings postponed.
Be sure to return tomorrow, as spring training races towards its first game. We will see you tomorrow for the next edition of SpringNotes.
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