SARASOTA-What’s happening? In the Orioles’ sixth Grapefruit League game, Trevor Rogers got his second start.
Rogers pitched brilliantly for the second straight time, allowing just one hit in three scoreless innings, striking out three in the Orioles’ 4-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays before 5.074 at Ed Smith Stadium on Wednesday.
In his first two starts, Rogers has allowed two hits in five scoreless innings, striking out five without a walk.
Rogers appears to be continuing his outstanding work of 2025, when he had a 9-3 record, a 1.81 ERA and was elected Most Valuable Oriole.
“It’s been so much fun to watch,” manager Craig Albernaz said before the game. “It’s a testament to the work that he’s put in, to come back to form the way he has and keeps on getting better … Find those little margins where they can keep turning the dial up for further development. Rog has been leaning into that with our pitching group to keep him where he is and to try to find those little margins. Trevor has been outstanding in this camp.”
Chris Bassitt, who threw live batting practice at Ed Smith Stadium on Tuesday, and Zach Eflin have yet to start. Shane Baz will start for the first time on Friday against Pittsburgh in Bradenton.
Albernaz thinks his potential starters will have the necessary work to be ready for the start of the season on March 26th.
“It’s not innings,” Albernaz said. “The sweet spot is at least five times out in spring training. That’s the minimum to get guys out in competition, not on the back fields. We’re on pace to do that.”
What’s happened? Rogers was satisfied with how he pitched.
“The main thing is with all the lefties they had out here today, really establishing the space early in the count,” Rogers said. “I think [catcher Adley Rutschman] and I were in sync from the get-go. He did a great job. I think I called two or three pitches. Other than that, we were synched in for those three innings. We accomplished a lot today, so I was happy with how it went.”
Rogers agreed that he’s picked up from where he left off last season.
“I would say I’m probably halfway there,” Rogers said. “The arm isn’t in shape to go five, six, seven innings yet. I’m executing my pitches the way I want to, spinning them, moving the ball around, so I’m really happy.”
Albernaz was, too.
“Just check another box from him in his progression,” Albernaz said. “He looked great, throwing strikes, especially with the offspeed stuff. That was a fun outing to watch.”
In his first appearance of the spring, reliever Andrew Kittredge retired only one of the four batters he faced. Jonny DeLuca hit a three-run home run. One run scored as a result of third baseman Weston Wilson’s error.
Kittredge, who walked leadoff batter Nick Fortes and struck out Jacob Melton, was removed after 23 pitches.
“First spring training outing,” Albernaz said. “Slightly smaller pitch count for him.”
Tyler Wells pitched a spotless fifth inning, striking out two. Anthony Nunez threw a scoreless sixth and Nestor German allowed one hit in 2 1/3 innings, walking two and striking out four.
Tyler O’Neill, who’ll be heading to play for Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic on Sunday, was 2-for-2 with a walk and an RBI double.
“Made some tweaks this offseason to fine-tune the swing a little bit,” O’Neill said. “A lot of good effort in the offseason with my training program. Physically, I feel really good. Mechanically, I feel good in the box. I feel better than last year.”
O”Neill is thrilled to be playing for Team Canada, and he adjusted his training program accordingly.
“I feel if we started playing those games tomorrow, I’d be ready to rock,” he said. “You’ve just got to trust the buildup in Sarasota.”
Vance Honeycutt hit his second home run of the spring in the seventh inning.
What’s up with Jeisson Cabrera? The 27-year-old right-hander signed as a minor league free agent after pitching in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization since 2018.
“I’m learning a lot from guys who have big league experience,” Cabrera said through a team translator. “Paying attention to all the details and the way that the veterans go about their business.”
Last season, Cabrera was 4-1 with a 3.71 ERA with two saves in 36 games for Double-A Tulsa.
“It was a little difficult knowing that I was in their farm system, but at the end of the day, you play for all 30 teams in a way, and you never know which you’ll end up with and will give you the opportunity to play.”
In his first outing, Cabrera relieved German in the ninth, recorded two outs, one strikeout and walked two.
What’s what? Rogers has pitched well against two American League East opponents, although he hasn’t faced their best lineups.
What’s the word? “That was a tough loss for us, man. Hard-fought battle all the way to the end. Americans played great. Canadians played great. It came down to one shot. I’d really like to see a 5-on-5 [in overtime] in the future [rather than 3-on-3]. That’s all that was missing to that game. What a great game, nonetheless.”–O’Neill, a Canadian and hockey fan.
What’s the number? 2. Honeycutt, the Orioles’ No. 1 draft choice in 2024, struck out 178 times and hit five home runs in 101 games for High-A Aberdeen last year. He’s homered twice in two at-bats this spring.
“Baseball’s a hard game. Development is messy. It’s not linear,” Albernaz said. “For him to come out and hit homers, we like home runs. The kid can play, and hopefully this gives him a confidence boost.”
What’s the record? 3-2-1 The Orioles host the Detroit Tigers at 1:05 p.m. on Thursday at Ed Smith Stadium. Dean Kremer, who will pitch for Team Israel, will make his final start before the World Baseball Classic. Kevin Brown and Roch Kubatko will have the call on MASN.
Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com