Orioles fans get rough news as Gunnar Henderson’s status for Opening Day comes into question
It’s not the worst-case scenario for Gunnar Henderson’s injury, but for Orioles fans eager to see him back on the field, the news isn’t ideal. As reported Wednesday afternoon, the star shortstop has been diagnosed with an intercostal strain, and the team has yet to provide a timeline for his return.
The Orioles announced that they remain hopeful Henderson will be ready for Opening Day. However, the fact that his status is even in question is concerning. Intercostal injuries can have a wide range of recovery times—mild strains may heal within days, while more severe cases can sideline players for months.
For what it’s worth, manager Brandon Hyde described Henderson’s injury as mild, so concerns about him missing time to start the season might be overblown. However, one thing is certain—the Orioles won’t rush his return. He’s too crucial to the team’s success to risk aggravating the strain by fast-tracking his recovery.
Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson dealing with a mild intercostal strain
In the meantime, the Orioles will rely on a mix of infielders to fill the gap left by Henderson’s absence. Livan Soto and Luis Vásquez have seen time at shortstop in the past two games, and that trend should continue as long as Henderson remains out. However, with Jordan Westburg also sidelined, the situation becomes even more challenging.
If Henderson’s absence extends, the Orioles may have to shift Jackson Holliday to shortstop. That move would open up second base for a rotation of Vimael Machín, Terrin Vavra, and Ramón Urías, as none of them are suited for shortstop defensively. Hopefully, Henderson makes a quick recovery so this doesn’t become a long-term concern.
Along with Henderson, newly acquired right-hander Andrew Kittredge has also been sidelined due to a left knee issue. He first reported soreness over the weekend, and the discomfort has persisted into this week.
Kittredge underwent an MRI, but the injury doesn’t appear to be too serious. He’s simply waiting for the inflammation to subside before resuming mound work. With a few days of rest, he should be back without issue. If he stays healthy this season, Kittredge could be in the mix for save opportunities when Félix Bautista is unavailable.
