Suárez on starting Orioles’ 1st Grapefruit League game: ‘It means a lot’

SARASOTA–What’s happening? Albert Suárez was chosen to start the Orioles’ first Grapefruit League game on Saturday against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Ed Smith Stadium.

Suárez is eager for the assignment.

“I think I’m well prepared to be able to start the first game of spring training,” the 35-year-old right-hander said. “It means a lot.”

Last year, Corbin Burnes started the first game of the spring and then was the Orioles’ Opening Day starter. The Orioles’ ace became a free agent after the season and signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Manager Brandon Hyde told reporters not to read too much into the choice of Suárez.

“It means that I’m improving, getting better,” Suárez said. “That’s a challenge, too.”

Hyde noted how hard Suárez worked during the offseason.

“The years before I was playing winter ball, and it’s different when you’re playing. I didn’t have too much time to do lifting and things like that,” Suárez said. “This offseason was different. I didn’t play winter ball. I had the whole offseason to prepare myself.”

What’s happened? Major League Baseball will use Automated Balls and Strikes (ABS) in Grapefruit League games this spring. The new system will be used in 13 Orioles games, but none in Sarasota because ABS is only used in Florida State League parks. Sarasota doesn’t have an FSL team.

Umpires will be used at home plate, but pitchers, catchers and batters can make two challenges per game, and those challenges must be made immediately.

“We’ve had a couple of meetings about it,” Hyde said. “The league introduced us to it, showed us the techniques and some examples from Triple-A last year of how they were using it there. I am interested in seeing what it looks like. I’ve never seen it.”

The Orioles will see it for the first time on Sunday when they play the Philadelphia Phillies in Clearwater, and it will be used in all road Grapefruit Leagues game but March 17^th at Boston and March 23^rd at Atlanta. The Red Sox and Braves don’t have FSL teams in their parks.

“I think it could possibly bring some excitement to the game,” Hyde said. “On a big pitch, in a big spot, everybody’s going right to the Jumbotron. I think that’s interesting.”

Each team gets two chances to challenge per game, and challenges, which must be called immediately, can only be made by the pitcher, catcher or batter.

It’s possible that the ABS system will be implemented for the 2026 season.

Veteran pitcher Charlie Morton was not in camp on Thursday because of illness.

What’s up with? Dylan Coleman signed with the Orioles on February 10^th. After parts of three seasons with the Kansas City Royals in 2021-2023, Coleman threw an inning for Houston last season in August.

Coleman’s best season came in 2022 when he was 5-2 with a 2.78 ERA in 68 games.

“Super super appealing,” he said about the Orioles. “There are so many young guys here that have so much talent, and you hear non-stop good things about the org, and the development and stuff, and that’s obviously the number one goal, developing yourself. That’s the most appealing part of it all.”

Coleman said he’s pitching well so far in camp.

“Stuff feels super, super good,” he said. “Command has been the issue. That’s been the focal point in the offseason, so hopefully it keeps turning upwards. Obviously, so early. Trying to get the reps, the game reps. The games will be starting soon, so that will be a good test coming forward.”

It wasn’t easy landing with the Orioles, Coleman said.

“It’s a tough process. It’s probably harder than ever to get a job right now,” he said. “It definitely is not a fun process to be in, but it’s like a domino effect. They have those big, big guys they have to sign, so it’s harder for the lower-tier guys…You know how it works.”

What’s what? The use of the challenge system in the majors will be a step forward, and once players are used to it, it will make for a fairer game. The replay system has worked well, and ABS will, too.

What’s the word? “Anything that can generate more interest, make the game more exciting, I’m definitely open to it.”-Hyde on the increasing use of technology in baseball.

What’s the number? 133 2/3. Only Burnes’ 194 1/3 innings pitched were more than Suárez’s 133 2/3 on the Orioles last season.