Jake Rill
@jakerill.bsky.social
Orioles beat reporter for MLB.com
How would new Orioles utility man Blaze Alexander describe himself?
"A super-athlete. A guy who can be versatile, can play everywhere, just go out there and make it happen. I’m a gamer."
Getting to know Alexander, and more from Monday's camp workout: www.mlb.com/orioles/news...
"A super-athlete. A guy who can be versatile, can play everywhere, just go out there and make it happen. I’m a gamer."
Getting to know Alexander, and more from Monday's camp workout: www.mlb.com/orioles/news...
New O's utility man Alexander a 'super-athlete' and 'gamer'
SARASOTA, Fla. -- What type of player did the Orioles acquire when they brought in Blaze Alexander in a trade with the D-backs on Feb. 5? Allow the 26-year-old utility man to tell you himself.
"A supe...
www.mlb.com
February 16, 2026 at 8:50 PM
How would new Orioles utility man Blaze Alexander describe himself?
"A super-athlete. A guy who can be versatile, can play everywhere, just go out there and make it happen. I’m a gamer."
Getting to know Alexander, and more from Monday's camp workout: www.mlb.com/orioles/news...
"A super-athlete. A guy who can be versatile, can play everywhere, just go out there and make it happen. I’m a gamer."
Getting to know Alexander, and more from Monday's camp workout: www.mlb.com/orioles/news...
Shane Baz strikes out Gunnar Henderson swinging during Orioles live BP.
Baz’s stuff again looks great out here today.
Baz’s stuff again looks great out here today.
February 16, 2026 at 6:33 PM
Shane Baz strikes out Gunnar Henderson swinging during Orioles live BP.
Baz’s stuff again looks great out here today.
Baz’s stuff again looks great out here today.
Coby Mayo strikes out looking against Dean Kremer in live BP.
Several member of the Orioles’ dugout: “Challenge! Challenge it!”
Several member of the Orioles’ dugout: “Challenge! Challenge it!”
February 16, 2026 at 6:13 PM
Coby Mayo strikes out looking against Dean Kremer in live BP.
Several member of the Orioles’ dugout: “Challenge! Challenge it!”
Several member of the Orioles’ dugout: “Challenge! Challenge it!”
Well, it appears the big white cast Jackson Holliday had on his right hand this morning has already been removed.
He has a lighter black wrap on it while watching live BP from Orioles’ dugout:
He has a lighter black wrap on it while watching live BP from Orioles’ dugout:
February 16, 2026 at 6:01 PM
Well, it appears the big white cast Jackson Holliday had on his right hand this morning has already been removed.
He has a lighter black wrap on it while watching live BP from Orioles’ dugout:
He has a lighter black wrap on it while watching live BP from Orioles’ dugout:
A big step for Zach Eflin today: His first live BP coming off of back surgery.
Also, a good start for Eflin, who strikes out Leody Taveras swinging to open the session at Orioles camp:
Also, a good start for Eflin, who strikes out Leody Taveras swinging to open the session at Orioles camp:
February 16, 2026 at 5:59 PM
A big step for Zach Eflin today: His first live BP coming off of back surgery.
Also, a good start for Eflin, who strikes out Leody Taveras swinging to open the session at Orioles camp:
Also, a good start for Eflin, who strikes out Leody Taveras swinging to open the session at Orioles camp:
Jackson Holliday showed up to Orioles camp Monday morning with a cast on his right hand, but not for long -- it'll be removed today.
Then, the 22-year-old will soon get to work fielding grounders and running.
"My goal is to be back as fast as possible."
www.mlb.com/orioles/news...
Then, the 22-year-old will soon get to work fielding grounders and running.
"My goal is to be back as fast as possible."
www.mlb.com/orioles/news...
In good spirits post-surgery, Holliday hopes to return to O's not long after Opening Day
SARASOTA, Fla. -- Five live at-bats into a pre-Spring Training workout at the Orioles' Ed Smith Stadium complex on Feb. 6, Jackson Holliday could tell something had gone wrong.
"Took a swing and knew ...
www.mlb.com
February 16, 2026 at 5:53 PM
Jackson Holliday showed up to Orioles camp Monday morning with a cast on his right hand, but not for long -- it'll be removed today.
Then, the 22-year-old will soon get to work fielding grounders and running.
"My goal is to be back as fast as possible."
www.mlb.com/orioles/news...
Then, the 22-year-old will soon get to work fielding grounders and running.
"My goal is to be back as fast as possible."
www.mlb.com/orioles/news...
It’s been a good start to camp for Heston Kjerstad, who has already taken a ton of live at-bats in recent days.
Kjerstad in the cage on first day of Orioles full-squad workouts:
Kjerstad in the cage on first day of Orioles full-squad workouts:
February 16, 2026 at 5:04 PM
It’s been a good start to camp for Heston Kjerstad, who has already taken a ton of live at-bats in recent days.
Kjerstad in the cage on first day of Orioles full-squad workouts:
Kjerstad in the cage on first day of Orioles full-squad workouts:
Taylor Ward in the batting cage on first day of Orioles full-squad workouts
February 16, 2026 at 4:50 PM
Taylor Ward in the batting cage on first day of Orioles full-squad workouts
“One Last Breath” by Creed must be a popular one, because it just came on for the second time today
The playlist on the backfields for the Orioles’ first full-squad workout this morning featured:
Nickelback
Creed
Three Days Grace
Stone Temple Pilots
Goo Goo Dolls
3 Doors Down
Nickelback
Creed
Three Days Grace
Stone Temple Pilots
Goo Goo Dolls
3 Doors Down
February 16, 2026 at 4:46 PM
“One Last Breath” by Creed must be a popular one, because it just came on for the second time today
The playlist on the backfields for the Orioles’ first full-squad workout this morning featured:
Nickelback
Creed
Three Days Grace
Stone Temple Pilots
Goo Goo Dolls
3 Doors Down
Nickelback
Creed
Three Days Grace
Stone Temple Pilots
Goo Goo Dolls
3 Doors Down
February 16, 2026 at 4:04 PM
The playlist on the backfields for the Orioles’ first full-squad workout this morning featured:
Nickelback
Creed
Three Days Grace
Stone Temple Pilots
Goo Goo Dolls
3 Doors Down
Nickelback
Creed
Three Days Grace
Stone Temple Pilots
Goo Goo Dolls
3 Doors Down
New Orioles utility man Blaze Alexander reported to camp over the weekend. Here for his first workout on first day of full squad.
February 16, 2026 at 3:41 PM
New Orioles utility man Blaze Alexander reported to camp over the weekend. Here for his first workout on first day of full squad.
The sleeveless shirts are back for Tyler O’Neill this spring. TBD whether more Orioles players follow suit, as they did last year.
February 16, 2026 at 3:38 PM
The sleeveless shirts are back for Tyler O’Neill this spring. TBD whether more Orioles players follow suit, as they did last year.
Blaze Alexander said trade to Orioles caught him by surprise. He was heading to D-backs facilities and didn’t think a move would happen so close to Spring Training.
“I couldn’t be more excited to come here, represent Baltimore and be an Oriole. I’ve heard really good things.”
“I couldn’t be more excited to come here, represent Baltimore and be an Oriole. I’ve heard really good things.”
February 16, 2026 at 1:23 PM
Blaze Alexander said trade to Orioles caught him by surprise. He was heading to D-backs facilities and didn’t think a move would happen so close to Spring Training.
“I couldn’t be more excited to come here, represent Baltimore and be an Oriole. I’ve heard really good things.”
“I couldn’t be more excited to come here, represent Baltimore and be an Oriole. I’ve heard really good things.”
Jackson Holliday can’t swing a bat or throw, but he said he’ll be out here at Orioles camp fielding ground balls and running.
“I mean, I’ve got nothing to do but try to get better as fast as I can.”
“I mean, I’ve got nothing to do but try to get better as fast as I can.”
Jackson Holliday is here and said he’s getting cast off today. Hopeful he can be taking live at-bats in 3 weeks, but also knows he and team don’t want to rush it.
At same time, Holliday believes recovery won’t linger too long and that he’ll be back not long after Opening Day.
At same time, Holliday believes recovery won’t linger too long and that he’ll be back not long after Opening Day.
February 16, 2026 at 1:17 PM
Jackson Holliday can’t swing a bat or throw, but he said he’ll be out here at Orioles camp fielding ground balls and running.
“I mean, I’ve got nothing to do but try to get better as fast as I can.”
“I mean, I’ve got nothing to do but try to get better as fast as I can.”
Jackson Holliday is here and said he’s getting cast off today. Hopeful he can be taking live at-bats in 3 weeks, but also knows he and team don’t want to rush it.
At same time, Holliday believes recovery won’t linger too long and that he’ll be back not long after Opening Day.
At same time, Holliday believes recovery won’t linger too long and that he’ll be back not long after Opening Day.
February 16, 2026 at 1:16 PM
Jackson Holliday is here and said he’s getting cast off today. Hopeful he can be taking live at-bats in 3 weeks, but also knows he and team don’t want to rush it.
At same time, Holliday believes recovery won’t linger too long and that he’ll be back not long after Opening Day.
At same time, Holliday believes recovery won’t linger too long and that he’ll be back not long after Opening Day.
Heston Kjerstad is at full health at Orioles camp, his swing appears to be in a good (maybe even better?) spot and his spirits are high.
The 27-year-old outfielder/former top prospect is optimistic heading into 2026.
"It should be a good year for me."
www.mlb.com/orioles/news...
The 27-year-old outfielder/former top prospect is optimistic heading into 2026.
"It should be a good year for me."
www.mlb.com/orioles/news...
Kjerstad at full health in O's camp, believes '26 will be 'good year for me'
SARASOTA, Fla. -- Heston Kjerstad's challenging start to the 2025 season (his third in the big leagues) led to a mid-June demotion to Triple-A Norfolk. While there, the former top prospect went on the...
www.mlb.com
February 15, 2026 at 8:57 PM
Heston Kjerstad is at full health at Orioles camp, his swing appears to be in a good (maybe even better?) spot and his spirits are high.
The 27-year-old outfielder/former top prospect is optimistic heading into 2026.
"It should be a good year for me."
www.mlb.com/orioles/news...
The 27-year-old outfielder/former top prospect is optimistic heading into 2026.
"It should be a good year for me."
www.mlb.com/orioles/news...
Heston Kjerstad: “The year you have in front of you, that’s always the most important and what you want to focus on. It should be a good year for me. Healthy, and we’ll see what happens.”
February 15, 2026 at 7:19 PM
Heston Kjerstad: “The year you have in front of you, that’s always the most important and what you want to focus on. It should be a good year for me. Healthy, and we’ll see what happens.”
Heston Kjerstad (who didn’t play after going on Triple-A IL last year with what Orioles described as “fatigue”) said he’s not sharing what exactly he went through.
However, he’s at full health now and said it took him the first part of the offseason to build back strength.
However, he’s at full health now and said it took him the first part of the offseason to build back strength.
February 15, 2026 at 7:17 PM
Heston Kjerstad (who didn’t play after going on Triple-A IL last year with what Orioles described as “fatigue”) said he’s not sharing what exactly he went through.
However, he’s at full health now and said it took him the first part of the offseason to build back strength.
However, he’s at full health now and said it took him the first part of the offseason to build back strength.
Trey Gibson (Orioles’ No. 9 prospect per MLB Pipeline) first on the mound for live BP today.
Hitters will include Willy Vasquez, Samuel Basallo, Heston Kjerstad.
Hitters will include Willy Vasquez, Samuel Basallo, Heston Kjerstad.
February 15, 2026 at 6:03 PM
Trey Gibson (Orioles’ No. 9 prospect per MLB Pipeline) first on the mound for live BP today.
Hitters will include Willy Vasquez, Samuel Basallo, Heston Kjerstad.
Hitters will include Willy Vasquez, Samuel Basallo, Heston Kjerstad.
The Orioles will have a formidable 1-2 punch atop the rotation with Kyle Bradish and Trevor Rogers.
"Are they the 1-2? ... Yeah, probably," Craig Albernaz said Sunday.
No matter which one starts Opening Day, the O's have 2 co-aces set to lead the staff: www.mlb.com/orioles/news...
"Are they the 1-2? ... Yeah, probably," Craig Albernaz said Sunday.
No matter which one starts Opening Day, the O's have 2 co-aces set to lead the staff: www.mlb.com/orioles/news...
Despite not landing ace, O's may already have 2 on starting staff
SARASOTA, Fla. -- Manager Craig Albernaz won't be naming the Orioles' Opening Day starter in mid-February. The new skipper is having an open competition for the assignment, one that is likely to be wo...
www.mlb.com
February 15, 2026 at 4:58 PM
The Orioles will have a formidable 1-2 punch atop the rotation with Kyle Bradish and Trevor Rogers.
"Are they the 1-2? ... Yeah, probably," Craig Albernaz said Sunday.
No matter which one starts Opening Day, the O's have 2 co-aces set to lead the staff: www.mlb.com/orioles/news...
"Are they the 1-2? ... Yeah, probably," Craig Albernaz said Sunday.
No matter which one starts Opening Day, the O's have 2 co-aces set to lead the staff: www.mlb.com/orioles/news...
Kyle Bradish was asked about the Orioles’ competition for the Opening Day starter assignment, which also features Trevor Rogers.
“I don’t know how much of a competition it is after that performance yesterday from Rogers.”
“I don’t know how much of a competition it is after that performance yesterday from Rogers.”
February 15, 2026 at 2:58 PM
Kyle Bradish was asked about the Orioles’ competition for the Opening Day starter assignment, which also features Trevor Rogers.
“I don’t know how much of a competition it is after that performance yesterday from Rogers.”
“I don’t know how much of a competition it is after that performance yesterday from Rogers.”
Jackson Kowar was DFA’d by Twins on Thursday, now joins Orioles’ bullpen mix.
The 29-year-old RHP had a 4.24 ERA in 15 relief appearances for Mariners last season. Previously pitched for Royals from 2021-23.
The 29-year-old RHP had a 4.24 ERA in 15 relief appearances for Mariners last season. Previously pitched for Royals from 2021-23.
Orioles announce they have acquired RHP Jackson Kowar from the Twins in exchange for cash considerations.
RHP Colin Selby (right shoulder inflammation) placed on the 60-day injured list to make room on 40-man roster.
RHP Colin Selby (right shoulder inflammation) placed on the 60-day injured list to make room on 40-man roster.
February 14, 2026 at 10:49 PM
Jackson Kowar was DFA’d by Twins on Thursday, now joins Orioles’ bullpen mix.
The 29-year-old RHP had a 4.24 ERA in 15 relief appearances for Mariners last season. Previously pitched for Royals from 2021-23.
The 29-year-old RHP had a 4.24 ERA in 15 relief appearances for Mariners last season. Previously pitched for Royals from 2021-23.
Orioles announce they have acquired RHP Jackson Kowar from the Twins in exchange for cash considerations.
RHP Colin Selby (right shoulder inflammation) placed on the 60-day injured list to make room on 40-man roster.
RHP Colin Selby (right shoulder inflammation) placed on the 60-day injured list to make room on 40-man roster.
February 14, 2026 at 10:46 PM
Orioles announce they have acquired RHP Jackson Kowar from the Twins in exchange for cash considerations.
RHP Colin Selby (right shoulder inflammation) placed on the 60-day injured list to make room on 40-man roster.
RHP Colin Selby (right shoulder inflammation) placed on the 60-day injured list to make room on 40-man roster.
Colton Cowser on Trevor Rogers: “Very deceptive. I wasn’t ready for that. But yeah, he looked really good.”
Trevor Rogers live BP results:
Adley Rutschman grounder SS
Willy Vasquez K (looking)
Colton Cowser K (looking)
Heston Kjerstad K (swinging)
Weston Wilson K (swinging)
Dylan Beavers K (swinging)
Cowser flyout LF
Wilson K (swinging)
Rutschman single (likely)
Kjerstad K (swinging)
Adley Rutschman grounder SS
Willy Vasquez K (looking)
Colton Cowser K (looking)
Heston Kjerstad K (swinging)
Weston Wilson K (swinging)
Dylan Beavers K (swinging)
Cowser flyout LF
Wilson K (swinging)
Rutschman single (likely)
Kjerstad K (swinging)
February 14, 2026 at 7:03 PM
Colton Cowser on Trevor Rogers: “Very deceptive. I wasn’t ready for that. But yeah, he looked really good.”
Yennier Cano looking pretty sharp early in his session of live BP. Here he is striking out Dylan Beavers swinging:
February 14, 2026 at 6:20 PM
Yennier Cano looking pretty sharp early in his session of live BP. Here he is striking out Dylan Beavers swinging: