Report: Veteran starter Julio Teherán agrees to minor league contract with Orioles; Tate makes impression

SARASOTA, Florida-What’s happening?- Dean Kremer will make his first spring start when the Orioles play the Minnesota Twins at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers on Wednesday at 1:05 p.m.

Following Kremer will be Andrew Suárez, Bryan Baker, Luis González, Wandisson Charles and Jonathan Heasley.

According to a report by the New York Post’s Jon Heyman, the Orioles are in agreement with veteran right-hander Julio Teherán on a minor league contract with an invitation to major league camp. Teherán’s deal reportedly allows him to opt-out if he doesn’t make the Orioles.

The 33-year-old right-hander was 3-5 with a 4.40 ERA in 14 games, 11 starts with Milwaukee last season. Teherán is 81-82 with a 3.83 ERA in 12 seasons with Atlanta, the Los Angeles Angels, Detroit and the Brewers.

Teherán was an All-Star in 2014 and 2016 with the Braves, and he’ll attempt to join a starting staff that currently includes Kremer, Corbin Burnes, his teammate with Milwaukee last season, Grayson Rodriguez, who pitched on Tuesday, Tyler Wells and Cole Irvin.

Kyle Bradish, who has a sprained right elbow, and John Means, whose left elbow caused him to miss last October’s Division Series won’t be on the Opening Day roster.

Outfielder Kyle Stowers homered against Atlanta left-hander Dylan Lee on Monday. It was a rare at-bat against a left-hander for the left-handed hitter.

“Righties or lefties, I’ve got to put together good at-bats,” Stowers said. “I had two good ones [Monday]. Righty or left, I feel confident against them. Just have to stack good at-bats throughout the whole spring.”

Stowers, who was hitless in two at-bats on Tuesday. says he feels strong.

“I’m getting my timing back,” Stowers said. “I feel healthy. The swing’s feeling pretty good, just trying to take a step every day.”

Manager Brandon Hyde has noticed.

“He’s taken some really good swings so far this camp,” Hyde said. “Looks ready to go. It’s still early. The way he’s stayed on the baseball against left-handers, it’s definitely been impressive and something he’s worked hard on.”

Infielder Gunnar Henderson, who hasn’t played because of left oblique muscle injury, took batting practice before the game.

Hyde said that closer Craig Kimbrel, who shortened a bullpen session because of soreness in a quadriceps muscle, will pitch within the next week.

What’s happened?—Rodriguez allowed one run in two innings as the Orioles defeated a Tigers split-squad, 5-2, before 4,820 at Ed Smith Stadium on Tuesday.

Rodriguez allowed a wind-aided home run to Zach McKinstry in the first and struck out two, throwing 37 pitches.

“Didn’t really look at the pitch count, just that I was going out for two innings,” Rodriguez said. “Felt good really to see some hitters, just ripped some fastballs. Just trying to work on keeping a consistent delivery. Today, got out of whack a little bit there. It’s still early, just overexcited I think.”

McKinstry’s homer to left carried in the wind.

“We were trying to go up with it,” Rodriguez said. “I’d like to think it doesn’t happen at Camden [Yards]. It’s a good thing none of these count.”

Hyde thinks Rodriguez can do better.

“Too many deep counts,” Hyde said. “The stuff was there. The command wasn’t his best. It’s still really early in camp.”

Relief pitcher Dillon Tate, who missed last season with forearm/elbow injuries, retired three consecutive batters in the third.

“It feels good to be out there with my teammates,” Tate said. “It’s been a while since I competed at this level.”

Hyde hadn’t seen Tate pitch in a game since October 5^th, 2022.

“It’s the best I’ve seen him look so far. It’s been a while,” Hyde said.

The Orioles scored four runs in the fifth. Catcher James McCann’s two-run double was the big hit. Non-roster outfielder Daniel Johnson tripled, doubled and singled and scored two runs.

“He’s swung the bat really well, especially today,” Hyde said. “Three great swings, faced some pretty good arms. He’s been a joy to have in camp. He plays hard, doing all the little things. It’s nice to see him get a start today, and he’s swung the bat extremely well.”

Minor league right-hander Alex Pham pitched the final two innings, retiring all six batters he faced.

What’s up with?— Right-hander Chayce McDermott struggled in first spring training outing. He exhausted his pitch limit in the sixth inning, his first, walking two and allowing a double, and retiring two batters. He was brought back to start the seventh and retired his three batters.

McDermott was 8-8 with a 3.10 ERA in 26 starts last season at Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk, and he’s learning in spring training.

“I’m getting to watch guys, just kind of seeing the way they do things, helped me focus a little bit, pitch quality stuff, too,” McDermott said.  “Watching Kimbrel throw a ‘pen the other day, if he missed by a couple of inches in the ‘pen, he was upset with himself. Seeing that and being like, ‘this is where it needs to get’ is kind of a big thing for me right now.”

McDermott, 25, thinks it’s possible he’ll make the major leagues this season.

“Really close. We have a great team, so it’s going to be hard to break in there, but I feel like I’ve done a lot of things well. I’m putting myself in a good position. Now, a couple of more adjustments, I feel like I’ll be right there.”

What’s what? MLB Players Association executive director Tony Clark visited Orioles camp to speak to the players on Tuesday. Clark said while other sports have changed their All-Star Games, he likes the current format. There’s been talk of allowing major league players to participate in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

“I think our All-Star Game is the best All-Star Game that’s out there. That’s why it’s stood the test of time as long as it has,” Clark said. “In regards to representing your country, there are opportunities to do so, the [World Baseball Classic], there’s obviously been some dialogue around the Olympics, whether or not players will be able to participate in the Olympics.

“It’s a conversation we haven’t formally had with the league, but perhaps it will become one at some point in time. I think independent of the All-Star Game, there are opportunities for guys to wear their country on their chest, and if more of them present themselves, all the more reason to leave the All-Star Game as it is, but if there’s a conversation to be had there, the players most importantly are interested in taking a look at what that might look like, then we’ll sit down and have that conversation.”

What’s the word? “He’s improved his defense, which is great to see. I think he’s come a long way defensively. I haven’t seen him take many at-bats, but the power in batting practice is ridiculously impressive.”-Hyde on infielder Coby Mayo’s growth 

What’s the number? 77. That was the temperature at game time, the warmest day of the Grapefruit League season.

What’s the record? 4-1. The Orioles play the Minnesota Twins at Hammond Stadium at 1:05 p.m. on Wednesday.