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Zach Eflin Zach Eflin Rise in velocity in spring debut
Thu, Mar 5, 2026, 10:32 PM
Eflin (back) allowed one hit and one walk in two scoreless innings during Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays. He struck out three.
Analysis: It was an impressive outing by Eflin, who made his first appearance in game action since undergoing back surgery last year. The 31-year-old right-hander even showcased some increased velocity, with his fastball topping out at 94 mph. If all continues to go smoothly during spring training, Eflin remains on track to dodge the injured list and be part of Baltimore's Opening Day rotation to begin 2026, per Jake Rill of MLB.com. |
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Tyler Wells Tyler Wells Slated for bullpen role
Wed, Mar 4, 2026, 9:01 AM
Orioles manager Craig Albernaz confirmed Wednesday that Wells will be used as a reliever at the beginning of the season, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: President of baseball operations Mike Elias said as camp opened that Wells would be built up as a starting pitcher, but since then the club tipped its hand in regards to Wells' role by using the righty in one-inning stints. Wells has looked sharp in Grapefruit League action, yielding just one hit with a 5:0 K:BB over three scoreless frames. He could be ticketed for a high-leverage bullpen role from the right side while Andrew Kittredge (shoulder) is out. |
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Andrew Kittredge Andrew Kittredge Headed for IL with shoulder issue
Wed, Mar 4, 2026, 8:56 AM
Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said Wednesday that Kittredge is battling right shoulder inflammation and is "a low probability" to be ready for Opening Day, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Kittredge struggled in his lone Grapefruit League appearance last week and now it's clear why he hasn't pitched since. While he appears to have avoided structural damage in his shoulder, it's unclear at this point how long the setup man might be shelved. |
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Jackson Holliday Jackson Holliday Taking swings Thursday
Wed, Mar 4, 2026, 8:16 AM
Holliday (hand) will begin swinging a bat Thursday, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.
Analysis: Holliday has been restricted to one-handed swings to protect his surgically repaired right hand, but he's now been cleared to resume swinging with both hands. He also began throwing last week. Holliday will begin the season on the 10-day injured list, but all signs point to a brief absence as long as his recovery continues at its current trajectory. |
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Felix Bautista Felix Bautista Resumes throwing
Wed, Mar 4, 2026, 7:56 AM
Bautista (shoulder) threw a baseball Tuesday for the first time since undergoing surgery last August, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
Analysis: The right-hander made 25 throws on flat ground from about 45 feet, clearing his first major hurdle. He said afterward that his arm feels good and that he's still hoping to pitch later this season. Bautista will be cutting it close, as the procedure to repair a torn labrum and torn rotator cuff typically carries a 12-month recovery timetable. |
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Zach Eflin Zach Eflin Set for spring debut Thursday
Tue, Mar 3, 2026, 10:35 PM
Eflin (back) is scheduled to make his spring debut in Thursday's Grapefruit League against the Rays, per Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com.
Analysis: Eflin underwent back surgery in August of last year, and he's slated to make his first appearance in game action since July of 2025. The 31-year-old right-hander was Baltimore's Opening Day starter a year ago, but Eflin now finds himself in contention with Dean Kremer and Tyler Wells for the No. 5 rotation spot this spring. |
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Chayce McDermott Chayce McDermott Optioned to Triple-A
Tue, Mar 3, 2026, 9:37 AM
The Orioles optioned McDermott to Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
Analysis: McDermott has impressed the Orioles this spring as he makes a full-time move to the bullpen, but he will continue working on things at Norfolk at the beginning of the season. The 27-year-old has a 6:1 K:BB in three innings during Grapefruit League play but has also served up three solo home runs. |
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Jackson Kowar Jackson Kowar Healthy again
Sun, Mar 1, 2026, 10:07 AM
Kowar (shoulder) made his Grapefruit League debut in Thursday's 6-5 win over the Tigers, issuing one walk and allowing no hits over a scoreless inning of relief.
Analysis: Kowar looks to be back to full health after he spent the final month of the 2025 season on the Mariners' injured list due to a right shoulder impingement. After Seattle waived Kowar in January, he caught on with the Twins before being traded to the Orioles less than two weeks later. The right-hander is competing for a spot in Baltimore's Opening Day bullpen this spring. |
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Samuel Basallo Samuel Basallo Good to go Sunday
Sun, Mar 1, 2026, 8:44 AM
Basallo (abdomen) is starting at catcher and batting cleanup in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.
Analysis: The 21-year-old departed Thursday's spring game due to abdominal discomfort, but he's ready to retake the field after getting a couple days off. The fact that Basallo is immediately working behind the plate rather than being eased back in as the designated hitter is a good indication that the injury wasn't a serious concern. |
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Adley Rutschman Adley Rutschman Productive start in spring training
Sat, Feb 28, 2026, 10:30 PM
Rutschman went 2-for-2 with a solo home run and an additional run scored during Saturday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta.
Analysis: It was the first big fly of spring training for Rutschman, who's now gone 4-for-15 (.267) with a double and two walks over his first 15 at-bats of the spring. The switch-hitting backstop was a big disappointment in 2025, as evidenced by a career-worst .673 OPS across 365 regular-season plate appearances, but Rutschman is all set to reprise his role as Baltimore's top catcher in 2026. Although top prospect Samuel Basallo (abdomen) does present some competition for action behind the dish, he's more likely to serve as the Orioles' primary designated hitter. |
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Samuel Basallo Samuel Basallo Returning Sunday
Sat, Feb 28, 2026, 10:12 AM
Basallo (abdomen) will start at catcher in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against Boston, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: Abdominal discomfort forced Basallo out of Thursday's game early, but he was never brought in for imaging and is now set to return behind the plate after a two-day break. The 21-year-old backstop has begun the spring 2-for-8 with three runs scored through four contests. |
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Jackson Holliday Jackson Holliday Cleared for throwing
Sat, Feb 28, 2026, 8:39 AM
Holliday (hand) said Saturday that he has been cleared to resume throwing a baseball, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.
Analysis: Holliday was cleared for fielding and one-handed swings earlier this week after getting the stitches removed from his hand, and he's now added throwing to his regimen. Assuming he continues to progress without any issues, he'll begin taking regular swings Thursday as part of a plan to have him back in Baltimore's lineup around mid-April. |
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Shane Baz Shane Baz Fans four in spring debut
Fri, Feb 27, 2026, 10:45 PM
Baz allowed two walks in 2.1 hitless and scoreless innings in Friday's Grapefruit League game against the Pirates. He struck out four.
Analysis: Baz looked to be in midseason form during his spring debut, with his fastball topping out at 98.6 mph. The 26-year-old right-hander should be relieved to move away from hitter-friendly Steinbrenner Field -- he had a 5.90 ERA and 1.46 WHIP over 16 home starts with the Rays in 2025 -- and Baz is lined up as a back-end starter to begin his first season with the Orioles in 2026. |
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Samuel Basallo Samuel Basallo Aiming to return this weekend
Fri, Feb 27, 2026, 8:38 AM
Basallo (abdomen) believes he'll be ready to return to Grapefruit League play this weekend, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.
Analysis: Basallo was pulled from Thursday's game against the Tigers due to right-side abdominal discomfort, but he thinks it was merely cramping and imaging was deemed unnecessary. Consider the young slugger day-to-day. |
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Samuel Basallo Samuel Basallo No additional testing scheduled
Thu, Feb 26, 2026, 2:53 PM
Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said that Basallo's (abdomen) removal from Thursday's game versus the Tigers was precautionary and he doesn't believe the catcher will undergo additional testing, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.
Analysis: The skipper added that Basallo could have remained in the game, but he felt no need to push things this early in spring training. Basallo was diagnosed with right-side abdominal discomfort following a tag play at home plate Thursday, but it appears he has avoided a serious injury and can be considered day-to-day. |
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Samuel Basallo Samuel Basallo Dealing with abdominal injury
Thu, Feb 26, 2026, 1:34 PM
Basallo was pulled from Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers due to right-side abdominal discomfort, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.
Analysis: Basallo suffered the injury when he lunged to tag out Matt Vierling on a play at the plate. Though it's a positive that the Orioles are not immediately calling the injury a strain, it's possible Basallo still needs to undergo more testing. The club could offer more details regarding the 21-year-old's condition after the game, but he'll likely be unavailable for at least a few days, at minimum. |
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Samuel Basallo Samuel Basallo Injured on play at plate
Thu, Feb 26, 2026, 12:57 PM
Basallo was removed from Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers after being injured on a tag play at home plate, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
Analysis: Drawing a start at catcher, Basallo had to lunge to tag out Matt Vierling in the top of the third inning and, in doing so, looked like he might have tweaked something. He was visited by the trainers before eventually walking off the field under his own power. The Orioles should have an update soon on Basallo's condition. |
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Chayce McDermott Chayce McDermott Turning heads in relief role
Thu, Feb 26, 2026, 8:41 AM
McDermott has impressed the Orioles early on in camp as he transitions to a full-time relief role, Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner reports.
Analysis: McDermott wasn't able to solve his command issues as a starting pitcher, but the early returns as he shifts to the bullpen have been promising. The righty worked this offseason with Mason Feole -- a pitching coach based in Rhode Island -- on posture and alignment and has made strides with his command. McDermott has also bumped his average fastball velocity from 93 mph to 96 mph and has struck out five of the seven batters he's faced so far in Grapefruit League play. The 27-year-old is in the running for a spot in the Orioles' Opening Day bullpen and could eventually push for high-leverage appearances. |
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Ryan Helsley Ryan Helsley Scoreless inning in spring debut
Tue, Feb 24, 2026, 10:57 PM
Helsley allowed one hit in a scoreless third inning during Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Twins.
Analysis: After signing a two-year, $28 million contract with the Orioles in November, Helsley pounded the zone for 10 strikes among his 12 pitches in his spring debut. The 31-year-old right-hander's fastball velocity topped out at 97.7 mph, and he'll likely be looking to increase that as spring training progresses. With Felix Bautista (shoulder) likely to miss 2026, Helsley is gearing up to function as Baltimore's closer to begin the season. |
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Cade Povich Cade Povich Promising start in spring training
Mon, Feb 23, 2026, 10:48 PM
Povich allowed one hit and one walk in two scoreless innings during Monday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta. He struck out one.
Analysis: The Orioles have a quartet of arms battling for a roster spot this spring either as a sixth starter or bulk reliever, and Povich did his part Monday to keep himself under consideration. Zach Eflin (back) is expected to be a full participant at camp, though it remains to be seen when he'll make his spring debut. For now, Povich has Dean Kremer, Tyler Wells and Brandon Young as his primary competition. |
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