The Baltimore Orioles are reaching into their recent past as they prepare to face the New York Yankees on Tuesday night.
Veteran right-hander Kyle Gibson will make his first major league appearance of the season. Gibson, who won a career-high 15 games with Baltimore in 2023, spent last year with the St. Louis Cardinals, posting an 8-8 record and a 4.24 ERA.
“I know one thing — he’s going to compete every time he takes the mound,” said Orioles manager Brandon Hyde. “He’s one of the best clubhouse guys I’ve ever been around. He pitched great for us a couple years ago and had a solid season in St. Louis. Two years ago, he consistently gave us a chance to win and was just outstanding.”
Gibson last pitched on April 20 for Class-A Aberdeen and has gone 1-1 with a 3.75 ERA in three minor league starts so far in 2025. Against the Yankees in his career, he holds a 3-7 record and a 5.48 ERA in 13 starts, though he delivered seven strong innings of one-run ball in a win over New York last August.
Baltimore is looking to build momentum after Monday’s 4-3 win in the series opener — only their second victory in the last eight games.
Orioles designated hitter Ryan O’Hearn, who launched a three-run homer in Monday’s win, expressed optimism about the team’s outlook. “In this game, once you get hot, you just ride the momentum,” O’Hearn said. “I think Monday was definitely a step in the right direction.”
Left-hander Carlos Rodón (3-3, 3.50 ERA) will get the start for the Yankees in Tuesday’s game, having earned decisions in each of his starts this season — including back-to-back road wins. On April 18, he blanked the Tampa Bay Rays over six innings, and followed that with seven strong innings against the Cleveland Guardians on April 23, allowing just one unearned run.
Rodón tallied 17 strikeouts and six walks across those two outings. After surrendering five home runs in his first four starts, he managed to keep both the Rays and Guardians in the park.
Historically, Rodón has struggled against Baltimore. In seven career appearances (six starts) versus the Orioles, he is 0-3 with a 5.58 ERA and has allowed six home runs in 30 2/3 innings.
On Monday, the Yankees opted to give former closer Devin Williams the eighth inning despite trailing by a run. Manager Aaron Boone was encouraged by the results. “I liked what I saw — he was aggressive,” Boone said. “It was good to see him go out and have a clean 1-2-3 inning. I thought he showed real confidence with every pitch.”
However, Monday wasn’t all positive news for the Orioles. The team placed third baseman/designated hitter Jordan Westburg (left hamstring strain) and catcher Gary Sánchez (right wrist inflammation) on the injured list. To fill the vacancies, infielder Emmanuel Rivera and catcher Maverick Handley were called up from Triple-A Norfolk.
“It’s tough,” said Ryan O’Hearn. “Westy is a big part of this lineup and this team. We need him back soon. That’s just how this game goes sometimes — hopefully we can avoid any more injuries.”
Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge extended his on-base streak to 25 games on Monday, marking the fifth-longest such streak of his career. He went 2-for-5 with an RBI in the series opener but struck out in the ninth inning against Orioles closer Félix Bautista.
“When you’re playing the Yankees, it feels like Judge is always coming up in the ninth,” Orioles manager Brandon Hyde remarked.
Despite Judge’s consistency, the Yankees have lost three of their last four games away from home.
