Good Morning Birdland,
There are just two days left until an actual game is played down in Florida, kicking off this year’ Grapefruit League action. The Orioles and Yankees will face off in Sarasota at 1:05 pm on Friday. That one will be broadcast on MASN and WBAL Radio. Hopefully many of us are able to at least have it on in the background of work, school, or errands.
I am genuinely excited for that day! It’s a combination of what the Orioles have done this winter and the fact that it means actual spring is very close. I’m yearning for sunshine and warmth more this year than I can ever remember. But baseball is good too!
For now all we get are social media posts and the written account of reporters on the ground. It’s better than nothing.
According to MASN’s Roch Kubatko, Kyle Bradish and Tyler Wells got to face live hitters on Tuesday. There was some good and some bad, but it’s all about getting reps in right now. Wells did say that he is feeling “the best [he has] felt in a really long time.” That is a great to hear. The Orioles are going to need him, either in the bullpen or as a contributor in the rotation.
Heston Kjerstad continues to be an interesting story of camp. Seemingly past his undisclosed health issues from last summer, he has been swinging a hot stick, adding two singles off of Bradish on Tuesday. His path to an Opening Day role continues to look narrow, but you never know. The Orioles are going to need plenty of depth to survive the season, even in what might feel like a packed outfield at the moment.
Yennier Cano also got good marks for his work. We all know how impressive he can be. But it was a wild ride in 2025, and as the bullpen is currently constructed he will have a significant role to play. Fingers crossed.
The work will continue today ahead of the preseason opener on Friday. And we will all be sure to overreact to anything that comes out. That is our right as fans in mid-February.
Links
Orioles Hire Robinson Chirinos As Special Assistant | MLB Trade Rumors
The former catcher is back! He spent 2022 as a player with the Orioles, and last year served as Brandon Hyde’s bench coach in the dugout. That, of course, did not go well since Hyde was fired in May. Chirinos remained in place through the end of the season, but was not part of Craig Albernaz’s 2026 staff. Now he will move to the baseball operations and player development department.
Nothing could ruin Noda’s offseason after Orioles DFA | Roch Kubatko
Baseball is a brutal business. The Orioles DFA’d this guy on his wedding day! Other than that tidbit, this is a lovely little read. Ryan Noda seems to have the right perspective of life, and he loves a sweet treat. I’m with you, Ryan.
Chris Bassitt, MLBPA executive subcommittee member, reacts to Tony Clark’s resignation: ‘We are OK’ | The Baltimore Banner
The resignation of MLBPA Executive Director Tony Clark is a big deal. MLB and the MLBPA are already in the midst of a negotiation that is likely to drag beyond 2026 and could cost all or part of the 2027 season. Clark was an important part of that conversation. It’s unclear how much this news impacts everything.
Who’s blasting all that ‘Dad Rock’ at O’s camp? | MLB.com
Of course Pete Alonso loves Nickelback and Creed. It just makes sense.
Orioles birthdays
Is it your birthday? Happy birthday!
- Jordan Westburg turns 27 today. The infielder has been a standout in his first three MLB seasons, including an all-star nod in 2024. He just needs to stay healthy. To this point, he has never played more than 107 MLB games in a season and entered this spring with an oblique injury.
- Ryan Mountcastle is 29. A fan favorite, Mountcastle has been a solid contributor ever since his arrival 2020. His future is murky though, given the O’s recent signing of Pete Alonso and the continued presence of youngster Coby Mayo.
- Nick Maton is 29 years old. The utilityman played in five games for the O’s in 2024. He last played for the White Sox for part of the 2025 campaign.
- The late Walter Young (b. 1980, d. 2015) was born on this day. His lone big league season was in 2005, when he appeared in 14 games with the Orioles.
- Chad Moeller is 51 years old. The journeyman catcher had a 30-game stint with the Orioles during the 2009 season.
- The late Jeff McKnight (b. 1963, d. 2015) was born on this day. He played all over the field for the Orioles between 1990 and ‘91.
This day in O’s history
1954 – The Orioles acquire Gil Coan from the Washington Senators in exchange for Roy Sievers. Coan would be worth -1.0 bWAR across two seasons in Baltimore while Sievers would go to three all-star games and compile 14.6 bWAR during his six-season stint in D.C.
2011 – The Orioles finalize their deal with Vladimir Guerrero and place pitcher Alfredo Simon on the restricted list to make room on the roster. At the time, Simon is still in custody in the Dominican Republic following a shooting death on New Year’s Eve.