The Baltimore Orioles' pitching staff will face early challenges in the 2025 season as both starting pitcher Grayson Rodriguez and reliever Andrew Kittredge will begin the year on the injured list. Manager Brandon Hyde announced that Rodriguez is dealing with soreness in his right triceps and discomfort in the area near the back of his right elbow. Although the initial MRI showed no structural damage, the team is proceeding cautiously and seeking multiple opinions to determine the exact nature of the ailment. Meanwhile, Kittredge will undergo arthroscopic surgery on the cartilage in his left knee and is expected to miss several months. The Orioles are hopeful for a swift recovery for both pitchers as they navigate these early setbacks.
Hyde expressed confidence that Rodriguez's injury is not ligament-related, which provides some relief. However, the team is still working to identify the specific issue and develop a treatment plan. "Having some discomfort in the back of his elbow, so we are still getting multiple opinions. It’s not a ligament issue, so we’re not concerned about that. But it’s going to result in some missed time," Hyde stated. Rodriguez, a former top prospect and 2018 first-round draft pick, showed promising development in 2024 with a 3.86 ERA and 130 strikeouts in 116 2/3 innings over 20 starts. As the Orioles await his return, they are focused on ensuring his long-term health and success.
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The Baltimore Orioles are excited to announce the induction of Adam Jones, Joe Orsulak, and Tom Davis into their Hall of Fame for the Class of 2025. Adam Jones, a former center fielder and five-time All-Star, will temporarily step away from his front office duties to attend the ceremony. Joe Orsulak, renowned for his significant contributions on the field, and Tom Davis, celebrated for his outstanding work in broadcasting, will join Jones in receiving this prestigious honor. The Orioles community and fans are eagerly anticipating the ceremony, as they recognize the lasting impact these individuals have made both on and off the field.
The induction of Jones, Orsulak, and Davis highlights their exceptional achievements and dedication to the Orioles organization. Jones, with his leadership and remarkable performances, has left an indelible mark on the team. Orsulak's memorable moments and consistent play have endeared him to fans, while Davis's voice has been synonymous with Orioles baseball for years. This recognition serves as a testament to their enduring legacies and the deep connection they share with the Orioles and their supporters. Baltimore Orioles star shortstop Gunnar Henderson is dealing with an intercostal strain, but the team remains optimistic about his availability for Opening Day. Manager Brandon Hyde revealed on Wednesday that Henderson suffered a mild strain on his right side. Hyde emphasized the importance of not rushing Henderson's recovery, noting, "It's one of those sensitive areas where we don't want anything to reoccur." The team is taking a cautious approach to ensure Henderson is fully recovered before returning to the field.
Henderson exited last Thursday's 11-8 spring training victory over the Toronto Blue Jays after experiencing "lower right side discomfort" following a leaping catch in the first inning. The 22-year-old shortstop, who had an impressive rookie season, will continue to be monitored closely by the Orioles' medical staff. Despite the setback, the team remains hopeful that Henderson will be ready to contribute on Opening Day. Félix Bautista's highly anticipated return to the mound in his first spring training game since Tommy John surgery was a resounding success. The Orioles' closer delivered a flawless inning, striking out two batters and showcasing his signature fastball, which appeared to be back to its dominant form. The emotional moment was met with a standing ovation from enthusiastic fans, highlighting the high expectations and anticipation surrounding Bautista's comeback. His performance provided a significant boost of confidence for the Orioles and their fans, reinforcing his status as a key component of the team's bullpen.
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde emphasized a cautious approach to Bautista's workload, prioritizing his long-term health and avoiding back-to-back appearances or extended innings. Bautista himself expressed confidence in his ability to regain his peak velocity by Opening Day 2025, demonstrating his determination and optimism. His successful return marks a significant step in his recovery and sets the stage for a potentially impactful season. The Orioles are banking on Bautista's presence to solidify their bullpen and contribute to their pursuit of a successful season. The Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles have finally ended their prolonged legal battle over television rights, a dispute dating back to 2012. On Monday, Major League Baseball announced that the Nationals will be released from their current deal with the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN) after the upcoming season. Under a new one-year contract, Nationals games will still be broadcast by MASN in 2025. Following this term, the Nationals will be free to explore alternative options for their television rights starting from the 2026 season. This settlement resolves all previous media rights disputes between the Nationals, Orioles, and MASN, and will result in the dismissal of all related litigation.
MASN was established in March 2005 when the Montreal Expos relocated to Washington, becoming the Nationals, and moved into Baltimore's exclusive broadcast territory. The Orioles were initially given a 90% supermajority partnership interest in MASN, while Washington paid $75 million for an initial 10% stake. The agreement stipulated that the Nationals' equity would increase by 1% annually, with a cap of 33%. Over the years, various disputes arose regarding the network's rights payments, leading to multiple lawsuits and decisions by MLB's Revenue Sharing Definitions Committee. The most recent RSDC decision awarded the Nationals approximately $320.5 million for 2022-26, with rights fees adjusted due to the economic conditions of regional sports networks. With this settlement in place, both teams can now move forward without the cloud of ongoing litigation. After three seasons of batters grimacing at the expanded left-field wall in Camden Yards—affectionately dubbed “Walltimore”—the Orioles announced in November that they’d be making the dimensions a little friendlier to hitters. The updated wall will be moved between 9-20 feet closer to the plate at various points and will be 3-6 feet shorter, depending on the location. This change comes after realizing that the initial expansion may have been an overcorrection. Baltimore general manager Mike Elias stated, “It became clear to us and me and our staff, our coaches, our players, the feedback we received over three years of lived experience that it was a directionally correct move, but we overcorrected.” While it's not the original wall that stood through the 2021 season, it's also not the towering Walltimore setup—it's a compromise between the two.
Naturally, this adjustment has become a hot topic among players. Free agent signee Tyler O’Neill, a right-handed pull-side slugger, said, “I think it’s good for guys like me, obviously.” Statcast data supports this sentiment, showing that Ryan Mountcastle lost 11 homers due to the previous wall change. However, it's important to note that the change had its benefits too—former Orioles pitcher Cole Irvin was spared from the damage of 10 more dingers. With yet another change in the books, the question now is: What impact will this version of the park have? Only time will tell as we wait to see how the new dimensions will affect gameplay in the upcoming season. The Baltimore Orioles are planning to develop Roansy Contreras into a starting pitcher this spring, according to manager Brandon Hyde, who spoke to reporters, including Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun. The 25-year-old right-hander spent last season in a multi-inning relief role, splitting time between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Los Angeles Angels. This shift to a starter’s role marks a new chapter for Contreras as the Orioles look to tap into his potential on the mound.
However, Contreras’ long-term spot with the Orioles remains uncertain. He’s far from guaranteed to stay on Baltimore’s roster through the end of spring training, especially given his turbulent offseason. Contreras has bounced between teams via waivers five times, with the Orioles claiming him twice—most recently from the New York Yankees in early February. Since he’s out of minor league options, any attempt to send him down would require passing through waivers again, a process no team has managed to complete without another club snapping him up. In a recent game, Orioles' star shortstop Gunnar Henderson made a remarkable play by robbing Bo Bichette of a hit. However, shortly after the play, Henderson experienced discomfort on his right side, prompting him to exit the game. Fortunately, it has been confirmed that he will not need an MRI, providing some relief to the team and fans. The Orioles' medical staff is closely monitoring his condition, and Henderson is scheduled to be re-evaluated on Friday to determine the next steps in his recovery process. His presence on the field is crucial for the team's success, and they are hopeful for a swift and complete recovery.
As the team prepares for upcoming games, the Orioles will need to adapt to Henderson's absence and ensure that they continue to perform at a high level. The coaching staff and teammates are rallying around Henderson, providing support and encouragement during this challenging time. While the injury is a setback, the focus remains on his health and well-being, with the anticipation of seeing him back in action soon. Fans are eagerly awaiting updates on his condition and look forward to his return to the lineup. Baltimore Orioles' left-handed pitcher Cole Rogers is unlikely to be ready for the team's season opener after being sidelined with a knee injury. Rogers, who had been an integral part of the Orioles' pitching depth, has been rehabbing and working through the injury, but team officials have indicated that it’s unlikely he will be fully recovered in time for the start of the 2024 season. While the injury isn't expected to be long-term, his absence to begin the year leaves a gap in the bullpen and forces the team to look for alternatives to fill his spot.
The Orioles are expected to provide more updates on Rogers' progress as Spring Training continues, but for now, the team will have to adjust their pitching plans without him in the mix. Rogers’ injury could lead to some new faces stepping up, either from within the current roster or from additional offseason moves. Despite the setback, the Orioles are optimistic that Rogers will return to full strength shortly after the season begins and continue contributing to their pitching staff in the near future. The Baltimore Orioles are expected to start the season without two key players, as both Trevor Rogers and Jorge Mateo are unlikely to be ready for Opening Day. Rogers, who suffered a right knee subluxation in January, has been behind schedule in his recovery, delaying his return to full baseball activities. Orioles General Manager Mike Elias confirmed that the left-hander is still weeks away from being fully prepared, making his availability for the start of the season highly doubtful. His absence could impact the Orioles' pitching depth as they look for alternative options in the rotation.
Meanwhile, infielder Jorge Mateo is still recovering from the elbow surgery that ended his 2024 season early. Although he has made progress, Elias stated that Mateo likely won't have enough at-bats in spring training to be ready by Opening Day. With both players sidelined, the Orioles may need to adjust their roster plans, exploring backup options to fill the gaps left by Rogers and Mateo as they prepare for the season opener on March 27 in Toronto. Former center fielder Adam Jones has been hired as a special advisor to general manager Mike Elias and community ambassador. Jones, who played 14 MLB seasons, will bring his high energy and positive attitude to the role every day.
Jones will mentor young players, learn about the baseball operations department, and potentially give input on the business side. His experience in Japan, where he played two seasons with the Orix Buffaloes, will be valuable in the Orioles' future pursuit of Japanese players. "I think Adam’s experience in Japan is going to be an asset for us," Elias said. "We see the growth of Japanese baseball and how it's impacting the Major Leagues, and we want to be a part of that." |
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