Baltimore Orioles pitchers and catchers conduct first spring training workout in Florida
The Baltimore Orioles' push toward another postseason berth is underway.
Pitchers and catchers had their first spring training workout on Thursday at the Orioles' complex in Sarasota, Florida.
The Orioles are coming off a 2024 season in which they made the playoffs for the second year in a row. They lost to the Kansas City Royals in the wild-card series.
Baltimore didn't make any splashy moves with its pitching staff this offseason. However, general manager Mike Elias is encouraged by the outlook of this team.
"We've put ourselves in a really good position to continue to play toward the top of our division," Elias said. "Obviously, our competition is really stiff and in Major League Baseball, we all know what the landscape looks like."
The Orioles lost ace starting pitcher Corbin Burnes and key middle reliever Danny Coulombe, but brought in starting pitchers Charlie Morton and Tomoyuki Sugano, from the Japanese league.
The Orioles added Andrew Kittredge, who had a 2.80 ERA in St. Louis last season, to bolster the bullpen.
They are hopeful that closer Felix Bautista, who missed the entire 2024 season following Tommy John surgery, will be back at the start of the season. Starter Kyle Bradish is still recovering from Tommy John surgery, and relief pitcher Trevor Rogers isn't expected to be ready for the season-opener because of a subluxation of his right knee cap.
"I just want our guys to stay healthy," Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said. "That's my main concern right now, and to get these guys ready to start the season, and if everything goes well these next six weeks, we will see where our rotation is at that point."
As spring training gets underway, the Orioles appear to have 25-year-old Grayson Rodriguez lead the starting rotation, followed by Zach Eflin, Morton, Dean Kremer and Sugano.
In 2024, Rodriguez posted a 3.86 ERA with 130 strikeouts in 20 games but spent two stints on the injured list.
"You go out and attack every game like it might be your last. You want to leave everything you have on the field," Rodriguez said. "And you want to be able to handle the pressure. "I think that's something that I'm ready for."
Last season, as a staff, the Orioles compiled a 3.94 earned run average and gave up 175 home runs.
The Orioles' first full-team workout will be on Tuesday, Feb. 18.
Their first spring training game will be against Pittsburgh on Feb. 22. The season opener is on March 27 in Toronto, and the home opener is against Boston on March 31.
The Orioles won the AL East in 2023, but they haven't won a playoff game since 2014.
"We are really excited with where the team is at, where the organization is at, where the franchise is at," Elias said. "I think we are going to have a great season."
