SARASOTA, Fla. – Gunnar Henderson is once again absent from the lineup tonight as the Orioles take on the Tigers at Ed Smith Stadium. However, he is scheduled to face live pitching in batting practice on Saturday on one of the back fields.
Henderson has been out since Feb. 27 and appears unlikely to be ready for Opening Day, though the Orioles haven’t ruled it out entirely.
Grayson Rodriguez played catch again today, and according to manager Brandon Hyde, “it went well.”
Emmanuel Rivera is still sidelined with a sore left shoulder. Chayce McDermott is scheduled for a light bullpen session on Saturday. Meanwhile, Trevor Rogers has started playing catch, but according to Hyde, he is “a long way away” from returning.
Closer Félix Bautista is set to pitch tonight in the team’s final home exhibition game.
Bautista has pitched in four games, giving up three runs on five hits while recording seven strikeouts and one walk over four innings. He also threw on a back field on Monday.
“Everything’s going according to plan, and after I pitch, I’m feeling really well,” Bautista said through interpreter Brandon Quinones.
The Orioles have not informed Bautista if he will be on the Opening Day roster, but when asked if he’s confident about being ready, he gave the same response.
“Yes, of course,” he said.
Jordan Westburg is batting leadoff and playing second base, while Jorge Mateo starts at shortstop and Ramón Urías mans third base.
Jordan Westburg is leading off and playing second base, with Jorge Mateo at shortstop and Ramón Urías handling third base.
Adley Rutschman is once again behind the plate, while Gary Sánchez fills the designated hitter role.
Albert Suárez, making his final appearance before the Orioles finalize their Opening Day roster, has pitched in five games (three starts), allowing 11 runs on 22 hits over 17 innings. In his last start in Lakeland, he limited the Tigers to one run over five innings.
Outfielder Dylan Beavers and pitcher Dylan Coleman are among the extra players brought over from minor league camp.
The Tigers will send left-hander Tarik Skubal to the mound, the unanimous winner of the American League Cy Young Award. This will be Skubal’s fifth start of the spring, during which he has allowed four runs, walked one, and struck out 15 over 13 1/3 innings.
