Mountcastle homers in Orioles’ 6-2 win over Yankees; Henderson starts hitting progression

TAMPA-What’s happening? Shortstop Gunnar Henderson started a light hitting progression on Tuesday in Sarasota. Henderson hasn’t played since leaving the Orioles’ game against Toronto on February 27^th with a strained right intercostal muscle.

“Did some cage stuff. That went extremely well,” manager Brandon Hyde said. ‘He’s going to start defensive stuff tomorrow, ground balls, light ground balls, first day of progression. Tomorrow is a big day from a ground-ball standpoint.”

Infielder Jorge Mateo, who has yet to play after last August’s Tommy John surgery on his left elbow is taking batting practice on the field and had  a full day of defense on Monday, Hyde said. “He’s progressing extremely well,” he said.

Right-hander Chayce McDermott, out with a right lat/teres strain, and left-hander Trevor Rogers, who had a dislocated left knee, haven’t pitched this spring. “They’re still playing catch,” Hyde said.

Zach Eflin, who last pitched on Thursday, threw four innings on the back fields on Tuesday.

Dean Kremer will make his fourth appearance and third start of the spring when the Orioles host the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday at 1:05 p.m. at Ed Smith Stadium. Kremer has allowed eight runs in 10 innings, including four home runs. He’s walked five and struck out eight.

It’s the first time the Orioles will face the Braves, who are starting Ian Anderson. Atlanta was scheduled to play the Orioles on February 24^th in Sarasota but it was cancelled by rain.

Cade Povich will pitch against Toronto in Dunedin on Thursday, and Tomoyuki Sugano will face Minnesota in Sarasota on Friday night.

The Orioles will play seven games at George M. Steinbrenner Field in June and July against the Tampa Bay Rays, who will use the ballpark because Tropicana Field was severely damaged by Hurricane Milton last October.

Tuesday’s lineup featured regulars Colton Cowser, Ryan Mountcastle, Cedric Mullins, Tyler O’Neill and Adley Rutschman.

“I actually brought more guys here than I normally would because of it,” Hyde said. “Rutsch wanted to play here.”

Hyde thinks batters will hit well here during the regular season.

“This is obviously really a hitter-friendly ballpark,” Hyde said. “But the Rays have great pitching. The elements are going to be different …. I wanted to give some of our guys a taste for this ballpark.”

The Orioles will host the 2025 UA Next All-America Game at Camden Yards on September 13^th. The game has previously featured Gunnar Henderson and Bobby Witt Jr. In the past, it’s been played at Wrigley Field, Kauffman Stadium and Globe Life Field.

What’s happened? Ryan Mountcastle hit a three-run home run and Albert Suárez pitched four innings, allowing two runs, as the Orioles beat the New York Yankees, 6-2, before 8,777 at George M. Steinbrenner Field on Tuesday.

Mountcastle is hitting .273 (6-for-22) with a home run and four RBIs. “I feel like I’m swinging it at the right pitches,” Mountcastle said. “Hopefully, that turns into good results.”

He was raised in Central Florida, about two hours from Tampa and knows it will be different playing outdoors this summer instead of air-controlled Tropicana Field.

“Being from Florida, I know it’s going to be hot,” Mountcastle said. “It’s a nice field. I think it’s going to be a decent setup. Going to have to get used to it, I guess.”

Mountcastle was eager to play here.

“I just wanted to get at least a game in here before the season, and thankfully I was able to, and the schedule lined up,” he said.

Suárez threw 70 pitches, allowed five hits and struck out six without walking a batter.

With Grayson Rodriguez out with right elbow inflammation, Hyde has said the competition for a fifth starter is between Suárez and Povich.

“That’s unfortunate for him to be hurt,” Suárez said about Rodriguez. “I think, personally, I’m always ready for anything. It’s good if I can go four, five innings [in spring training] and be in the starting rotation.”

New York didn’t score against Suárez in the first three innings and scored twice in the fourth.

“Everything was working well. I think I was aggressive all the time,” Suárez said. “At the end, they started making some contact. Those things happen during spring training because you realize you have to make some adjustments to be ready for the season.”

Cionel Pérez and Yennier Cano pitched scoreless innings in relief. Minor league reliever Zach Fruit struck out five in three scoreless innings.

What’s up with? Griff O’Ferrall was the Orioles’ second pick and the 32^nd overall in the 2024 draft. O’Ferrall, an infielder who played for Virginia, played in Saturday’s game in Sarasota, and he’ll be back at Ed Smith Stadium this Saturday for Spring Breakout when Orioles prospects face Yankees prospects.

“It was awesome. The atmosphere was pretty sick,” O’Ferrall said after his first game. “Getting to do the pregame work with all those guys was pretty cool, just seeing how they go about their business, seeing how detailed and efficient they are was just a really cool experience to back them up. That’s for sure.”

Minor league players watch most of a Grapefruit League game before they enter in the late innings.

“Most of the time I’m watching my positions, so like short and second, seeing their movements, their actions, how they approach different balls,” O’Ferrall said. “At-bat wise, I’m watching everyone, but I kind of like to specifically watch hitters who are similar to my type of hitting, just to see how they’re getting pitched and what kind of swings they’re putting on balls. Pitchers throwing strikes, not throwing strikes, just different things.”

O’Ferrall is looking forward to Saturday night’s game, which will be nationally televised on MLB Network.

“I’m excited to come over here especially with all those young guys I’ve been playing with at the minor league complex and have some fun and play as hard as I can,” O’Ferrall said.

What’s what? The Orioles have announced five theme nights this season: Bark at Oriole Park on April 16^th and May 28^th, Healthcare Appreciation Night on May 13^th, Japanese Heritage Night on May 27^th, Lacrosse Night on June 10^th and Pokémon Go Night on August 13^th.

What’s the word? “I think it will be a lot different by the time we come back here with the Rays. During the summer, I know there’s a lot of rain.”-Suárez on pitching regular-season games here this season.

What’s the number? .435/1.014. Colton Cowser was the DH and went 2-for-3. He’s batting .435 with a 1.014 OPS.

What’s the record? 8-8-1. The Orioles will play the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday at 1:05 p.m. at Ed Smith Stadium.