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Zach Eflin Zach Eflin Mostly cruises through six innings
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 8:54 PM
Eflin (1-0) picked up the win after giving up two runs on two hits and two walks in six innings during Thursday's game against the Blue Jays. He struck out two.
Analysis: Eflin mostly cruised Thursday while getting plenty of run support, with Andres Gimenez's two-run home run in fourth inning serving as the brunt of the damage against him. Although the veteran right-hander posted a 5.40 ERA and 1.54 WHIP with nine strikeouts over 11.2 innings during spring training, he looked much sharper in this one. Eflin was also able to throw 78 pitches, so he'll aim to further build up his pitch count in his next scheduled start Wednesday at home against the Red Sox. |
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Cedric Mullins Cedric Mullins Breaks out of spring slump
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 8:49 PM
Mullins went 3-for-5 with two home runs, five RBI, and two runs scored in Thursday's 12-2 win over Toronto.
Analysis: Mullins took Blue Jays right-hander Jose Berrios deep for a solo shot in the fourth inning, later smashing a three-run homer during the seventh frame to get the Opening Day rout fully underway. The 30-year-old outfielder struggled during spring training while batting .136 (6-for-44) with one homer and five RBI, but he should play close to an everyday role in center field this season and could even work his way up Baltimore's batting order if his bat continues to heat up. |
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Tyler O'Neill Tyler O'Neill Extends Opening Day homer streak
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 8:46 PM
O'Neill went 3-for-3 with two walks, a three-run home run and two additional runs scored in Thursday's 12-2 win over Toronto.
Analysis: With his three-run blast in the third inning off Blue Jays right-hander Jose Berrios, O'Neill remarkably tallied an Opening Day home run in his sixth straight season. The veteran slugger should consistently hit in the heart of Baltimore's lineup in 2025, and he's off to a fast start during his first season with the Orioles after going 9-for-29 (.310) with one long ball and four RBI during spring training. |
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Adley Rutschman Adley Rutschman Goes deep twice in win
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 8:42 PM
Rutschman went 3-for-5 with two home runs, three RBI and three runs scored in Thursday's 12-2 win over Toronto.
Analysis: After homering in the first inning off Blue Jays right-hander Jose Berrios, Rutschman went deep once again during the eighth frame to add to the Opening Day rout. Rutschman's hot bat in spring training appears to have carried into the regular season to begin the year, as the star backstop went 15-for-42 (.357) with three long balls and eight RBI in the Grapefruit League. |
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Roansy Contreras Roansy Contreras Clears waivers
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 6:11 PM
Contreras cleared outright waivers and was sent to Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday, Cordell Woodland of 105.7 The Fan Baltimore reports.
Analysis: Contreras lost his 40-man roster spot on the same day and will stick within the organization. He struggled this spring and has bounced around several different organizations the last few seasons, though he could emerge as a long relief option at some point during the campaign. |
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Jorge Mateo Jorge Mateo Makes roster after all
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 1:59 PM
The Orioles included Mateo (elbow) on their season-opening 26-man active roster, and he'll be available off the bench in Thursday's game against the Blue Jays.
Analysis: Just one day earlier, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun noted that Mateo didn't have a locker in the visiting clubhouse at Rogers Centre, which seemed to suggest that the 29-year-old wouldn't be included on the Opening Day roster after logging just 11 at-bats in the Grapefruit League while recovering from UCL reconstruction surgery on his non-throwing elbow. However, Mateo told Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com that he feels ready to play after logging extra at-bats in Florida in recent days, and the Orioles are apparently confident enough in his health, too. Mateo projects to handle a utility role for the Orioles, with most of his starts likely to come against left-handed pitching. |
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Matt Bowman Matt Bowman Outrighted to minors
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 1:47 PM
The Orioles outrighted Bowman to Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday.
Analysis: After the Orioles selected his contract and added him to the 40-man roster Sunday, Bowman seemed in good position to be part of the Opening Day bullpen, but the team ultimately elected to go in a different direction with its 26th spot on the active roster to begin the season. Bowman will now be pushed off the 40-man roster, but he'll remain in the organization and will look to impress at Norfolk with the hope of earning a call-up at some point later on in 2025. |
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Roansy Contreras Roansy Contreras Loses 40-man spot
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 1:40 PM
The Orioles designated Contreras for assignment Thursday.
Analysis: Contreras was competing for a spot in the Orioles' Opening Day bullpen as a multi-inning reliever but didn't distinguish himself this spring, yielding six earned runs on nine hits and four walks while striking out eight over eight frames during the Grapefruit League. Since he didn't have minor-league options remaining, the Orioles will risk losing him to waivers by designating him for assignment. Contreras has now been DFA'd on six separate occasions by five organizations since last May. |
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Ramon Urias Ramon Urias Draws Opening Day start
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 1:29 PM
Urias will start at third base and bat eighth in Thursday's game against the Blue Jays.
Analysis: Entering spring training, Urias appeared likely to begin the season in a utility role, but he'll likely end up seeing at least semi-regular playing time through the first week of the campaign while Gunnar Henderson (intercostal) is on the shelf. Henderson is slated to begin a minor-league rehab assignment at Triple-A Norfolk, so barring any setbacks, he could be ready for activation when first eligible April 4. |
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Trevor Rogers Trevor Rogers Lands on 15-day injured list
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 1:25 PM
The Orioles placed Rogers on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a right knee subluxation, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Rogers suffered the injury back in January and, at last check, remained limited to throwing on flat ground. He remains without a timeline to make his season debut, and he could be optioned to Triple-A Norfolk once he's healthy. |
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Grayson Rodriguez Grayson Rodriguez IL move made official
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 1:23 PM
The Orioles placed Rodriguez on the 15-day injured list Thursday with right elbow inflammation, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Rodriguez came down with the injury in early March. He is slated to resume throwing off a mound before the end of this week, and the Orioles have some optimism that he won't require an extended absence. That said, Rodriguez has numerous boxes to check in the recovery process before a timeline for his season debut gets clearer. |
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Chayce McDermott Chayce McDermott Placed on 15-day IL
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 1:20 PM
The Orioles placed McDermott on the 15-day injured list Thursday with a right lat strain, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: McDermott resumed mound work in mid-March but still needs time to build back up. Once healthy, he will likely be sent to Triple-A Norfolk. |
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Andrew Kittredge Andrew Kittredge IL move made
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 1:19 PM
The Orioles placed Kittredge on the 15-day injured list Thursday due to his recovery from left knee surgery, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: The transaction is procedural in nature and clears a spot on Baltimore's 26-man active roster. Kittredge isn't expected back until June or July following surgery in early March, so he could be a candidate to eventually shift to the 60-day IL. |
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Gunnar Henderson Gunnar Henderson On IL, beginning assignment Friday
Thu, Mar 27, 2025, 12:23 PM
The Orioles placed Henderson (intercostal) on the 10-day injured list Thursday.
Analysis: Henderson had been held out of the Orioles' spring lineup since late February due to a right intercostal strain, but he shouldn't be in store for a lengthy stint on the shelf to begin the season. Manager Brandon Hyde said Thursday that the 23-year-old will begin his rehab assignment when Triple-A Norfolk opens its season Friday, according to Danielle Allentuck of TheBaltimoreBanner.com. Assuming Henderson doesn't run into any setbacks during his time with Norfolk, he could be able to make his season debut April 3, when he's first eligible to come off the IL. |
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Jorge Mateo Jorge Mateo Won't be on Opening Day roster
Wed, Mar 26, 2025, 1:39 PM
Mateo (elbow) will not be on the Orioles' Opening Day roster, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.
Analysis: The Orioles had left open the possibility that Mateo could be ready even though he wasn't cleared for Grapefruit League games until mid-March, but the 29-year-old needs a little more time. Livan Soto is expected to fill a utility role while Mateo is out. |
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Grayson Rodriguez Grayson Rodriguez Bullpen session coming soon
Tue, Mar 25, 2025, 11:38 AM
Rodriguez (elbow) said Tuesday that he intends to throw a bullpen session later this week, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.
Analysis: Additionally, Rodriguez said that recent imaging conducted on his right elbow revealed no ligament damage and confirmed the original diagnosis of inflammation/tendinitis, per Meyer. Though Rodriguez appears optimistic that he'll avoid an extended absence, he essentially started over in his throwing progression last week. Rodriguez has been steadily increasing his throwing distance off flat ground, and since he's thus far avoided any setbacks, he looks poised to take the next step forward by getting back on a mound. Rodriguez will need to complete multiple bullpen sessions before advancing to facing live hitters, and eventually, getting stretched out over multiple minor-league rehab starts or simulated games. While the Orioles aren't providing an official timeline for Rodriguez's return, he appears likely to miss most or all of the first month of the season. |
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Vimael Machin Vimael Machin Sent to minor-league camp
Mon, Mar 24, 2025, 4:56 PM
The Orioles reassigned Machin to minor-league camp Monday, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.
Analysis: The Orioles signed Machin to a minor-league contract Nov. 11 after playing in the Mexican League in 2024. He posted an impressive .400/.438/.578 with one home run and 10 RBI across 48 plate appearances in spring training, but he'll likely begin the 2025 campaign in Double-A or Triple-A. Machin last saw major-league action in 2022 with the Athletics, finishing the regular season with a .587 OPS across 73 games. |
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Kyle Gibson Kyle Gibson Sent to minor-league camp
Mon, Mar 24, 2025, 4:50 PM
The Orioles optioned Gibson to minor-league camp Monday, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.
Analysis: Gibson signed a one-year, $5.25 million contract with the Orioles on Friday to bring depth to a rotation that has Grayson Rodriguez, Tyler Wells and Kyle Bradish all missing the start of the season due to elbow injuries. Despite not being with a team during most of spring training, the 37-year-old Gibson has pitched in simulated games against college hitters and has built up to 70 pitches, and the plan is for the veteran right-hander to join Baltimore's rotation "somewhere around" May 1, per Weyrich. Gibson went 8-8 across 30 regular-season starts with the Cardinals in 2024 and logged a 4.24 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 151:68 K:BB over 169.2 innings. |
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Grayson Rodriguez Grayson Rodriguez Building up throwing distance
Mon, Mar 24, 2025, 1:31 PM
Rodriguez (elbow) played catch from out to about 90 feet Monday, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.
Analysis: Rodriguez was spotted playing catch from about 75 feet last week, so he seems to have taken an incremental step forward in his throwing program as he recovers from elbow inflammation. The right-hander is likely at least a couple weeks away from stepping back on the mound, and he'll essentially need to complete his own version of spring training before the Orioles deem him ready to make his season debut. Baltimore will formally place Rodriguez on the injured list prior to Thursday's opener in Toronto. |
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Kyle Gibson Kyle Gibson Aims for season debut around May 1
Mon, Mar 24, 2025, 12:54 PM
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Monday that the goal is for Gibson to join the rotation "somewhere around" May 1, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.
Analysis: Gibson had already been built up to 50-to-70 pitches while throwing on his own before he signed a one-year, $5.25 million contract last week. However, the Orioles have a plan in place for the veteran right-hander to continue getting stretched out before he joins their rotation. Gibson held a 4.24 ERA and 1.35 WHIP alongside a 151:68 K:BB over 169.2 innings last season with the Cardinals. |
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