“I brought more guys here than I normally would because of it,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “This is Yankee Stadium, plus a jet stream out to right field."
In less than two weeks, the Orioles will be playing their final exhibition game ahead of the regular season at Nationals Park. Here’s who looks good in Sarasota, Florida.
It’s not ideal for Hyde or the Orioles, considering all that has gone into making Holliday a strong second baseman. But it’s a contingency plan with Gunnar Henderson’s status for opening day uncertain.
On April 12 against the Toronto Blue Jays, the Orioles will play in orange pants and orange tops, harkening back to the days of a pitching staff with four 20-game winners: Jim Palmer, Dave McNally, Mike Cuellar and Pat Dobson.
Although the shorter left field wall may lead to greater power numbers for pull-side righties such as Ryan Mountcastle, the left-handed hitters have as much to gain from a more friendly dimension.
Jones was acquired from the Seattle Mariners in 2008 and became a five-time All-Star who ranks near the top in franchise leaders for hits (fourth), homers (fifth), runs batted in (fifth), runs (fifth), doubles (seventh) and games played (eighth).
Rodriguez threw 33 pitches in 1 1/3 innings before he was pulled and, after his second start of spring training, he said he felt sluggish and had trouble commanding the ball.
This week, many of the names are familiar, beginning with their franchise catcher and ending with a young starting pitcher who is doing his best to make sure the rotation isn’t as set as it seems to be.
According to an announcement from Major League Baseball, the Nationals will be free to pursue their own television deal for the 2026 season and beyond.
“That was very exciting,” Bautista said through team interpreter Brandon Quinones. “I missed my fans. I missed hearing them every time I stepped onto the field. It was very gratifying being able to go out there today and hear them once again.”
In February, Orioles owner David Rubenstein said his focus for MLB is to create a “competitive environment,” and that “if you look at other sports, the other sports which have that kind of arrangement seem to have players that are pretty happy with the situation.”