A majority of O’s players have arrived in Sarasota to kick off spring training. Baseball things are happening, folks!
Good morning, Camden Chatters.
The Orioles are back in action! That is, if you consider “action” to be reporting to camp, doing some workouts, and talking to the media. They won’t be playing any baseball for another eight days, and won’t be playing any real baseball for a month and a half. Still, spring training is ramping up, and O’s pitchers and catchers — along with most of the prominent position players — have arrived in Sarasota, with the rest to follow in the coming days. The gang is (mostly) back together.
Players are getting into shape. Reporters are filling up their notebooks. And fans are dreaming of the Orioles Magic that the 2025 season could bring. Hope springs eternal, as they say. And fortunately, Mike Elias didn’t immediately douse cold water on those hopes with any devastating injury news. According to Elias, as of now the only two O’s not expected to be healthy enough for Opening Day are Jorge Mateo and Trevor Rogers, neither of whom the team was counting on. Now we wait and see if the team can get through the next five weeks of spring training without suffering any calamitous injuries. Keep your fingers crossed.
In the meantime, it’s all smiles and positive thoughts for the Orioles as they reconvene at Ed Smith Stadium, greeting old friends and welcoming the newcomers. I can’t wait to find out which players are in the best shape of their life and which pitchers feel like the ball is coming out of their hand good. Bring me all the cliches. It sure beats the long, cold winter.
Baseball is back, and all is right with the world. …Actually, scratch that last part. But baseball is back, and at least that’s one thing we can enjoy.
Links
Orioles first-day spring training notes on Kjerstad, Mateo, Wells, Rogers and more – School of Roch
Roch Kubatko is wasting no time checking in with anyone and everyone. Among the notes is that Jorge Mateo will miss Anthony Santander because Mateo always beat him at chess. And probably for other reasons too, but mainly the chess thing.
Grayson Rodriguez looking to become an ace for Orioles – MLB.com
Grayson Rodriguez wants to become the new Corbin Burnes. I want that, too, but color me skeptical.
The Orioles’ core players open spring training ready to step up as leaders – The Baltimore Banner
First up on Best Shape of His Life watch: Jackson Holliday, who is “noticeably stronger,” according to Danielle Allentuck. I’m calling it now: MVP season coming up for Holliday. Bank on it.
If the Orioles’ offseason is done, what should we make of it? – The Baltimore Banner
Jon Meoli describes the Orioles’ offseason with an extended metaphor about frosted cupcakes. I don’t entirely follow what he’s saying, but now I’m hungry.
Orioles birthdays and history
Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! Just one Oriole in history has a Feb. 14 birthday: outfielder Ryan McKenna, who turns 28 today. McKenna spent parts of four seasons with the Birds as a pinch-runner and defensive specialist before the O’s waived him last May. He bounced around the Giants and Phillies organizations for the last few months of 2024 and does not appear to have signed anywhere this offseason.
On this date in 2020, the Orioles signed veteran lefty Tommy Milone to a minor league deal. Milone was brought on to compete for one of three open rotation spots along with, as MLB.com’s Joe Trezza wrote at the time, “[Wade] LeBlanc, Asher Wojciechowski, Kohl Stewart, Rule 5 Draft picks Brandon Bailey and Michael Rucker, David Hess and O’s No. 11 prospect — per MLB Pipeline — Keegan Akin.” Big yikes. Even if you’re feeling antsy about the Orioles’ 2025 rotation, think how far they’ve come in five years.
Anyway, the world shut down a month later, and when the baseball season finally started in late July, Milone ended up being the Orioles’ Opening Day starter in an empty Fenway Park. He made six starts before the O’s traded him to the Braves. He was also the only Orioles player in history to wear #69, so make of that what you will.