CLEARWATER, Florida–What’s happening? Félix Bautista is scheduled to make his first appearance since having Tommy John surgery in October 2023 when the Orioles play the Boston Red Sox on Monday at 1:05 p.m. at Ed Smith Stadium.
Charlie Morton, who pitched a scoreless inning last Tuesday against Detroit, allowing two hits, will start. Tomoyuki Sugano, who pitched two scoreless innings, giving up two hits and a walk on Wednesday at Pittsburgh, will also pitch.
Boston will start Hunter Dobbins.
The game will be on MASN with Kevin Brown and Roch Kubatko on the remote call. It will also be broadcast on ESPN with Karl Ravech, Eduardo Perez, Tim Kurkjian and Buster Olney.
Third baseman Jordan Westburg, who hasn’t played since February 22nd because of a sore lower back, was swinging in the batting cage and take some batting practice on Sunday. “Just starting a hitting progression, feels much better,” manager Brandon Hyde said.
Outfielder Tyler O’Neill, who missed Saturday’s game because of illness, returned to camp. “He feels a whole lot better, should be in there tomorrow,” Hyde said.
Shortstop Gunnar Henderson, who left Thursday’s game with discomfort on his right side, is “improving, still a little sore. He’s a few days away, but improving every day,” Hyde said.
Reliever Andrew Kittredge was scheduled to pitch on Saturday but didn’t. “He felt a little bit of left knee soreness,” Hyde said. “But feeling better today. It’s like a day-to-day right now.”
Grayson Rodriguez will start Wednesday against Minnesota at Fort Myers. Pittsburgh will start Paul Skenes on Thursday night in Sarasota. Skenes allowed a run in three innings against the Orioles on Saturday.
The Orioles cut 12 players, optioning right-hander Colin Selby to minor league camp and reassigned outfielders Enrique Bradfield Jr. Dylan Beavers and Jud Fabian, right-handers Justin Armbruester, Yaramil Hiraldo, Robinson Martinez, Carlos Tavera and Nathan Webb, left-hander Jakob Hernandez, catcher Silas Ardoin and infielder Jeremiah Jackson to minor league camp.
Selby was the only player on the 40-man roster who was cut.
“Just to get him more regular work,” Hyde said. “Somebody we’re going to be relying on a lot this year. We’re really high on him and just making sure we’re getting the proper amount of innings and the amount of work done.”
Bradfield, who had one hit in six at-bats, a home run, impressed Hyde.
“Really good defender, obviously plus-plus speed. I think there are some offensive adjustments that I saw a difference from this year from last year, continue to improve that,” he said.
What’s happened? Dean Kremer pitched three scoreless innings, giving up one hit in the Orioles’ 5-4 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies before 7,978 at BayCare Ballpark on Sunday.
Kremer struck out two and walked one. The only run he allowed was a first-inning single to Bryce Harper.
“I feel good. I feel like I’m progressing like I kind of should,” Kremer said. In his two outings, Kremer has given up two runs on three hits in five innings with five strikeouts and three walks.
“Spring training for some guys, it’s throwing uncomfortable pitches in uncomfortable counts,” Kremer said. “Seeing where everything’s at and what you can utilize during the season, whether it’s an option or not. We’re doing good.” Kremer said.
Kremer faced a top-tier lineup that included Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Nick Castellanos, Alec Bohm and J.T. Realmuto.
“It adds a little bit of edge because you know these guys,” Kremer said. “You see them on TV, doing damage day-in and day-out, so you’ve got to lock it in a little bit more, I’d say.”
Hyde liked Kremer’s outing.
“I thought he threw a lot of strikes,” he said. “I thought he faced some good major league hitters. I thought the split finger was really good. Cutters to get back in the counts. I thought he did a nice job getting his work in.”
Second baseman Jackson Holliday stole second in the second inning. He’s 2-for-4 in stolen-base attempts.
“I stole a lot in high school and my first year in the minor leagues,” Holliday said. “To have the freedom of just going out there and working on it has been great Having the freedom to run as much as I want and not really having the consequences is pretty fun … I’m going to go until they tell me not to.”
Outfielder Colton Cowser had a two-run single.
Bohm homered twice, against Luis González and Thaddeus Ward, who allowed two runs on four hits in two innings in his first appearance for the Orioles.
Matt Kroon hit a two-run single in the bottom of the ninth against minor league reliever Christian Herberholz to win it for the Phillies.
What’s up with? Levi Stoudt pitched a scoreless seventh, allowing a hit and striking out two in his first Grapefruit League appearance for the Orioles.
Stoudt was 0-1 with a 9.52 ERA in four games, two starts with Cincinnati in 2023. He was selected off waivers from Seattle last June 13th and was 3-1 with a 5.54 ERA and one save in eight games with Triple-A Norfolk and 0-2 with a 2.70 ERA in 14 games with Double-A Bowie.
“In ’23, I was up and down, the whole season, throughout the year,” Stoudt said. “Four appearances, called up and right back down. That was tough mentally having to deal with that. At the same time I learned a lot in terms of perspective, the mental side of the game. Going through that season tested my mentals.
“I learned a lot about the state of mind to be in, and when you do get called up. I think I was putting a lot of pressure on myself, way too much pressure than was needed, and I think it kind of hurt me. I think I have a better perspective of this game, and the opportunities to come.”
Stoudt is a graduate of Lehigh with a degree in economics, and he feels secure about his spot in the Orioles’ system.
“Last couple of years, I’ve been bouncing around a lot,” Stoudt said. “To come in last year and have a good experience with the Orioles organization and meet some great people and to come into this spring training feeling like I have some stability.
“I’m not on the 40-man anymore. I’m not going to be [designated for assignment].I have some stability and I’m looking forward to that, spending this season with the Orioles, but whatever happens, happens. I’m definitely excited and grateful to be in this org. right now.”
What’s what? After a week of games, Hyde likes how his starters have done.
“I’m happy with the first week with how they’re throwing. I hope that the next few weeks that they continue to build their pitch count and continue to execute pitches. We’re not walking many guys from our rotation, which is good. We’re going to have to be able to throw strikes. I’m happy with that. We have a long way to go,” he said.
What’s the word? “I think anything north of 20, I think is in reach, and is something that we’ve talked about. Everyone thinks that I can get around 20 to 30, which would be a great goal.”-Holliday on his stolen-base goal in 2025.
What’s the number? 58. The Orioles have 58 players left in camp, including 19 non-roster invites.
What’s the record? 4-4. The Orioles will face the Boston Red Sox at Ed Smith Stadium on Monday at 1:05 p.m.