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TORONTO—The Orioles don’t have to set their roster until noon on Thursday. However, a survey of their clubhouse before their workout at Rogers Centre on Wednesday offered some clues to the 26-man roster.
Infielder Jorge Mateo, who stayed behind in Sarasota when the team left Florida on Sunday night, didn’t have a locker. He was set to take additional at-bats after playing in five Grapefruit League games in his rehab from Tommy John surgery on his left elbow last August.
Infielder Liván Soto did have a locker, and so did reliever Bryan Baker while two other right-handed bullpen arms — Matt Bowman and Roansy Contreras — didn’t have lockers.
Bowman was added to the 40-man roster on Sunday. He could have opted out of his minor league contract if that procedural move didn’t take place, but adding him to the 40-man didn’t guarantee a spot on the roster. Baker, Bowman and Contreras are out of options and can’t be sent to the minors without passing through waivers.
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Soto, who hit .395 with eight RBIs in spring training, could be with the Orioles temporarily. Shortstop Gunnar Henderson is eligible to return on April 3rd after he was placed on the 10-day injured list retroactive to Monday. Henderson is also in Florida rehabbing his strained right intercostal muscle.
“I’m prepared if they need me tomorrow,” Soto said through a team translator. “I’m ready to go, just waiting.”
Soto isn’t a rookie, but he’s had only 77 major league at-bats in the past three seasons, and played in 12 games for the Orioles last season, hitting .300.
“I did a good job,” he said about his spring. “I think I did everything that I needed to do. I feel really happy with the way I played. I think at this point, it’s their decision to make, and we’ll see how satisfied they feel on their end, and I do feel happy with where I’m at and how I was able to play and what I was able to prove.”
Soto, who played 22 games with the Los Angeles Angels in 2022 and 2023, was claimed off waivers by the Orioles on February 8th, 2024 before he was reclaimed by the Angels 10 days later. He returned to the Orioles on waivers on April 11th. Eight days later, Soto was claimed by Cincinnati and was traded to the Orioles along with outfielder Austin Slater last July 29th.
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“I feel incredible. I want to actually applaud myself for being in this position,” Soto said. “Obviously, last year was a difficult year just with the ups and downs. Being in this position now, competing for an Opening Day roster spot means a lot, and I’m really happy I get to be in this position. Just really proud of myself for all the hard work.”
Baker had a 5.40 ERA in eight games, with four home runs allowed in 8 1/3 innings. He said he hadn’t been told anything about his status.
“No, I’m here,” he said with a laugh. “That’s all I know.”
Baker has a 3.76 ERA with the Orioles over the past three seasons.
“I’d rather be here than anywhere else,” Baker said. “Hopefully, ready to go tomorrow.”
He was happy with his spring training despite the numbers.
“Overall, it was a positive for me,” he said. “I improved and hopefully continue improving and hopefully can help this team. Starting at a better spot than I normally do. The velocity is better. I feel like everything got better. Throwing more strikes and getting ahead of guys. I’ve got the tools to be successful, just a matter of executing and using them the right way.”
Baker knew he was in a heated competition for a final bullpen spot.
“That just comes with the territory,” he said. ‘I try not to think about my situation too much. It’s more about the team as a whole. Whatever happens, happens.”
Suárez goes to the bullpen
On Sunday, Cade Povich was named the Orioles’ fifth starter, and with that, Albert Suárez, who started 24 times last season, tied for second most on the team, moves to the bullpen.
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“I was happy because this was the first time I made the team out of camp,” Suárez said. “I was happy regardless.”
At 35, Suárez pitched for the San Francisco Giants in 2016 and 2017, but didn’t start the season in the majors, and returned to the majors last April after nearly a seven-year absence with the Orioles but began the season at Triple-A Norfolk.
“I’m always ready to help the team in any situation,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if I’m starting or in the bullpen. I’m focused on helping the team.”
Norfolk’s roster set
The Norfolk Tides open their season on Friday, and their 27-man roster includes names that are familiar to those who paid close attention to spring training.
Six of the Orioles’ top 30 prospects — catcher Samuel Basallo (1st), first baseman/third baseman Coby Mayo (2nd) outfielder Dylan Beavers (6th), right-handed pitchers Cameron Weston (17th) and Brandon Young (19th) and outfielder Jud Fabian (19th) — are on the Tides’ rosters.
Right-handed relievers Colin Selby and Kade Strowd and left-hander Luis González are on the 40-man roster as is outfielder Dylan Carlson and Mayo.
The other pitchers are left-handers Raul Alcantara, Kyle Brnovich and right-handers Justin Armbruester, Corbin Martin, Rodolfo Martinez, Nick Richmond, Carlos Tavera, Thaddeus Ward and Nathan Webb.
The rest of the position players are catchers Maverick Handley and Connor Pavolony, infielders TT Bowens, Nick Gordon, Vimael Machin, Terrin Vavra and Luis Vázquez and outfielder Daz Cameron.
Rodriguez declines comment
Ever since Grayson Rodriguez was shut down with a right elbow inflammation, he’s been approached multiple times for comment, but has declined to be interviewed. On Monday, he appeared on “Foul Territory” to discuss his injury, and on Tuesday again declined to be interviewed by the Baltimore media.
Note: Dean Kremer starts on Saturday and Tomoyuki Sugano is Sunday’s starter.
Call for questions: Most weekdays, I answer Orioles questions. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com
