SARASOTA-What’s happening? Kyle Bradish started six times late last season after his June 2024 Tommy John surgery.
“I haven’t had a normal spring training for two years, so it’s nice to feel like a normal player,” Bradish said on Sunday.
The 29-year-old right-hander threw 32 innings for the Orioles last season, so it’s natural to wonder how many innings he can throw this season.
“To pitch a full season,” Bradish said. “Whatever that looks like right now. I think there’s going to be some innings limits. As of right now, I’m a full-go.”
Manager Craig Albernaz said that Bradish will have some influence on how much he pitches in 2026.
“That’s where his feedback is going to be the biggest thing, the biggest driver,” Albernaz said. “If he’s feeling great, and he’s doing everything right in the weight room and the training room, and he goes [through] his throwing program and bullpens, that’s where we’re going to lean on him. If he’s feeling great, we’re not going to run him out there for 130 pitches an outing.
“We’ll be mindful of his workload. He’s going to have a huge voice in that. If he’s feeling sluggish or grindy or he’s feeling it, we might pull back a little bit. It’s all about how KB is feeling and [what] our medical and strength team is saying.”
Bradish likes the 2026 rotation.
“I think we’re in a really good spot right now,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of depth and a lot of really good arms.”
On Saturday, left-hander Trevor Rogers struck out seven of the 10 batters he faced. Albernaz hasn’t named his Opening Day starter. Perhaps it’s Bradish, and maybe it’s Rogers.
“I don’t know how much competition there is after [the] performance yesterday from Rogers,” Bradish said. “It’s just another spot in the rotation for me.”
Albernaz was impressed by Rogers.
“That was fun to watch. He was moving great, throwing strikes. The intent was there,” he said. “I love the feedback from our hitters. Our guys never really faced him.”
Unlike previous Oriole managers, Albernaz said he won’t try to have his pitchers avoid American League East opponents in Grapefruit League games, especially since they’ll play those teams 10 times this spring.
“You want to be mindful of the buildup,” he said. “Our guys have to get built up. In a perfect world, if it lines up, yeah sure, but we don’t want to sacrifice the player’s buildup for the Yankees, the Red Sox, Toronto, the Rays. I want to be cognizant of the guys’ buildup, and that’s the biggest thing.”
What’s happened? Taylor Ward, who was acquired by the Orioles in November for starting pitcher Grayson Rodriguez, is trying to fit in with his new team. The 32-year-old outfielder hit 36 home runs for the Los Angeles Angels last year.
“I think just continue to do what I’ve been doing,” Ward said. “Try to clean up things that I can, really just keep it simple like I’ve talked about. I just like to go out there and hone my approach and really not think about anything else.”
Ward’s acquisition predated those of Ryan Helsley, Pete Alonso, Shane Baz and Chris Bassitt, making it a productive offseason for the Orioles.
“Just to see how motivated this organization is to win is awesome,” Ward said. “Whatever the team needs I’m there.”
Trey Gibson, the Orioles’ minor league pitcher of the year, and Levi Wells threw three simulated innings at Ed Smtih Stadium.
Samuel Basallo, Jeremiah Jackson, Heston Kjerstad, Jud Fabian. Weston Wilson and Luis Vázquez were among those to hit.
What’s up with Jackson Kowar? The 29-year-old right-hander, who was acquired from Minnesota for cash considerations on Saturday, reported and will be in the mix for a bullpen spot.
“He throws strikes. He has elite stuff. He has a really good changeup,” Albernaz said. “We want him to get settled first before we start throwing stuff at him. I look forward to getting to know him.”
Kowar was claimed by the Twins on February 3rd and was designated for assignment on Thursday.
“It’s definitely been a crazy couple of weeks here,” Kowar said. “I’m out of options, so this spring is about winning a job … Hopefully, a place I can stay for more than a couple of days. At this point in my career, I’m ready to compete and win a job. My goal was this spring, no matter where I was at, to come in here and win a job. I feel like I’m in really good shape and ready to win a job.”
Kowar acknowledged he wasn’t familiar with the Orioles’ personnel.
“I haven’t had a chance to look at who’s on the roster, see what the bullpen looks like,” Kowar said. ‘Everywhere you go, there’s a bunch of talented guys. That’s the game now. There’s no clubhouse you walk into that doesn’t have a bunch of talented guys.
“This is a good opportunity. When you’re around really successful guys, it helps you raise your level.”
What’s what? Albernaz was associate manager in Cleveland last year when star reliever Emmanuel Classe was placed on administrative leave for allegedly participating in a pitch-rigging scheme.
“It was a blow to the clubhouse in the sense of yes, he’s a really good pitcher and he helped us win a lot of games,” Albernaz said. “He’s one of our boys, and we’re in it together. To have something like that happen, I’m as shocked as anyone else. To the clubhouse in Cleveland’s credit, they didn’t miss a beat.”
What’s the word? “I think that’s already flushed after game 162 last year. I think a lot of guys [said] in the offseason, we’re not going to let that happen again this year.”-Bradish on the Orioles putting last year’ 75-87 finish behind them.
What’s the number? 72. With the addition of Kowar, there are 72 players in camp.
Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com