Questions as spring training kicks off a new season for Orioles

It’s been more than four months since we’ve seen the Orioles on the field, but the wait is nearly over. On Thursday, one day after pitchers and catchers report to the Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota, Florida, players will take the field.

Other than a January 31^st availability at the Birdland Caravan with 10 players and Zoom interviews for some newly signed players, there’s been nothing heard from the Orioles since their deflating exit from the playoffs.

There’s much to be curious about.

There are players who’ve been injured who haven’t been heard from their surgeries: Félix Bautista, who is scheduled to pitch in Grapefruit League games; Kyle Bradish and Tyler Wells, who aren’t. All had elbow surgeries, and we’ll be eager to find out about their progress.

There’s also infielder Jorge Mateo, who had Tommy John surgery in August. Inquiring minds want to know his timetable.

We’ll hear from executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias, and we’re eager to know if there are additional injuries.

There are new starting pitchers — 41-year-old Charlie Morton, who lives in neighboring Bradenton and will commute home each night, and Tomoyuki Sugano, whose home is thousands of miles away in Japan. Hhe’ll be pitching in the major leagues for the first time at the age of 35.

We saw catcher Adley Rutschman at PBR Baltimore on January 31^st, but we didn’t see Gary Sánchez, who replaces James McCann as Rutschman’s backup.

There’s a new reliever Andrew Kittredge, who should help Bautista with the late-inning load. And there are new outfielders Tyler O’Neill, a Canadian signed in December, and the more recently signed Ramón Laureano and Dylan Carlson.

With Cedric Mullins, Colton Cowser and Heston Kjerstad already on board, how will the Orioles make room for all these outfielders?

There’s locker room space for just under 60 players in the main clubhouse, which means that perhaps a dozen players, mostly non-roster pitchers, will have to dress in an auxiliary clubhouse that’s off-limits to the media.

The Orioles are slated to have 69 players in camp, and if outfielder Daz Cameron isn’t traded or claimed off waivers in the next few days, he could become the 70^th.

There are 10 new players on the 40-man roster: Carlson, Kittredge, Laureano. Morton, O’Neill, Sugano, pitchers Roansy Contreras, Luis González, Kade Strowd and Brandon Young.

For the second straight season, there’s no Rule 5 draft choice trying to wedge their way on to the 26-man roster. The Orioles’ most accomplished Rule 5 player, Anthony Santander, is gone along with his 44 home runs.

The Orioles should see him during spring training when they play the Toronto Blue Jays in Dunedin next month. Later in March, they’ll see more of him when the Orioles open the season in Toronto at Rogers Centre.

They’re also missing Corbin Burnes, who was their No. 1 starter. He’s off in Arizona, where the Orioles will play in early April.

Zach Eflin and Grayson Rodriguez are the top contenders for the Opening Day start.

Even though Eflin, Morton, Rodriguez, Sugano and Dean Kremer look to be the starters to begin 2025, there are others we’ll want to see — Albert Suárez, who was invaluable last season; Chayce McDermott, who started one game in July; Cade Povich, who was impressive in September; Trevor Rogers, who was not impressive in four starts in August; and Young, the Orioles’ minor league pitcher in 2020.

Every camp brings a look at some prospects. There’s Coby Mayo, who struggled in his first big league games; and catcher Samuel Basallo, who has intrigued the Orioles and other major league teams.

While Basallo and Mayo should get time with the Orioles this season, the Orioles also will take a look at swift outfielder Enrique Bradfield Jr., the top pick in 2023. They’ll also see outfield prospects Dylan Beavers and Jud Fabian.

Bradfield could be the eventual replacement for Mullins, who could be a free agent after this season.

Brandon Hyde will begin his seventh season as Orioles manager, and he’ll be joined by new coaches Buck Britton (major league), Robinson Chirinos (bench), Sherman Johnson and Tommy Joseph (assistant hitting). Cody Asche has been promoted from offensive strategist to lead hitting coach. There’s a new head athletic trainer, Scott Barringer.

After two seasons of 192 regular-season wins and none in the postseason, there will be high hopes. But first there are six weeks in Florida with 30 Grapefruit League games and lots of speculation.

Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com.