Opening Day is about a week away in Baltimore as the Orioles close out spring training and prepare for the upcoming season.The roster is starting to take shape, and after a rough start to spring with injuries, they have been relatively healthy since. They will be without infielders Jackson Holliday and Jordan Westburg to start the season, although Holliday is making good progress from a broken bone in his hand and shouldn’t miss too much time. The injuries opened up a couple of spots on the 26-man roster, but for the most part, the lineup and rotation are set. The final roster decisions will come down to the makeup of the bench and the bullpen, as well as who will start the season on the injured list. Here is a look at the Orioles’ projected 26-man roster for the 2026 season:LINEUP: Gunnar Henderson – Shortstop Taylor Ward – Left Field Pete Alonso – First Base Adley Rutschman – Catcher Tyler O’Neill – Right FieldSamuel Basallo (R)* – Designated Hitter (DH)Coby Mayo – Third BaseColton Cowser – Center FieldBlaze Alexander – Second BaseBENCH:First Baseman – Ryan MountcastleOutfield – Dylan Beavers(R)*Outfield – Leody TaverasUtility – Jeremiah Jackson*RookiesAnalysis: The injury to Westburg was a blessing in disguise for Coby Mayo, who will get a chance to build on his strong finish to last season at third base. Blaze Alexander will fill in at second, but could find himself back on the bench when Holliday returns.Dylan Beavers will see time in right field in a platoon with Tyler O’Neill and could even be an option for lead-off. Ryan Mountcastle will fill in for Samuel Basallo at DH against left-handed pitching, as well as allow Pete Alonso to play DH. Leody Taveras will serve as a defensive replacement in the outfield as well as some speed off the bench. The question will be what will happen when/if Westburg returns from his partially torn UCL in his elbow. Mayo and Mountcastle would be the odd men out, and while Mayo can be sent to the minors with an option, Mountcastle would need to be designated for assignment(cut) or traded. ROTATION: Trevor RogersKyle Bradish Chris Bassitt Shane Baz Dean Kremer/Zach Eflin BULLPEN:Closer – Ryan HelsleySet Up – Yennier CanoKeegan AkinTyler WellsDietrich EnnsRico GarciaJackson KowarAnalysis: This year’s rotation is drastically different from last season, when Zach Eflin was the Opening Day starter. He may not even make the rotation this season, depending on whether the team utilizes a six-man rotation. Trevor Rogers is looking to build on a season that saw him become one of the best pitchers in the league, while Kyle Bradish wants to stay healthy after only pitching in six games last season, coming off Tommy John surgery. The biggest wild card will be from newcomer Shane Baz. He could be the best pitcher in the rotation if he lives up to his potential and pitches a full season.The bullpen will be the biggest question going into the season. They signed Ryan Helsley to fill in for Felix Bautista at closer and brought back Andrew Kittredge, although he will miss the beginning of the season. Tyler Wells was moved to the bullpen after being a starter last season. Jackson Kowar will fill out the final spot in the bullpen, mostly due to his lack of options.INJURED LIST:Felix Bautista (60-day)Jackson HollidayJordan WestburgAndrew KittredgeColin Selby (60-day)Analysis: Bautista is expected to miss most of the 2026 season after shoulder surgery ended his year last August. They have not placed anyone else on the list yet, but Westburg is expected to be out until at least May and could join Bautista on the 60-day injured list if his elbow doesn’t respond to treatment. There is a sense that Holliday will only miss a week or two, while Kittredge will most likely start the season on the 15-day injured list. Selby was one of the few promising bullpen arms from last season, but he will be out at least two months.
BALTIMORE —
Opening Day is about a week away in Baltimore as the Orioles close out spring training and prepare for the upcoming season.
The roster is starting to take shape, and after a rough start to spring with injuries, they have been relatively healthy since. They will be without infielders Jackson Holliday and Jordan Westburg to start the season, although Holliday is making good progress from a broken bone in his hand and shouldn’t miss too much time.
The injuries opened up a couple of spots on the 26-man roster, but for the most part, the lineup and rotation are set. The final roster decisions will come down to the makeup of the bench and the bullpen, as well as who will start the season on the injured list.
Here is a look at the Orioles’ projected 26-man roster for the 2026 season:
LINEUP: Gunnar Henderson – Shortstop Taylor Ward – Left Field Pete Alonso – First Base Adley Rutschman – Catcher Tyler O’Neill – Right FieldSamuel Basallo (R)* – Designated Hitter (DH)Coby Mayo – Third BaseColton Cowser – Center FieldBlaze Alexander – Second Base
BENCH:
First Baseman – Ryan Mountcastle
Outfield – Dylan Beavers(R)*
Outfield – Leody Taveras
Utility – Jeremiah Jackson
*Rookies
Analysis: The injury to Westburg was a blessing in disguise for Coby Mayo, who will get a chance to build on his strong finish to last season at third base. Blaze Alexander will fill in at second, but could find himself back on the bench when Holliday returns.
Dylan Beavers will see time in right field in a platoon with Tyler O’Neill and could even be an option for lead-off. Ryan Mountcastle will fill in for Samuel Basallo at DH against left-handed pitching, as well as allow Pete Alonso to play DH.
Leody Taveras will serve as a defensive replacement in the outfield as well as some speed off the bench. The question will be what will happen when/if Westburg returns from his partially torn UCL in his elbow. Mayo and Mountcastle would be the odd men out, and while Mayo can be sent to the minors with an option, Mountcastle would need to be designated for assignment(cut) or traded.
ROTATION: Trevor RogersKyle Bradish Chris Bassitt Shane Baz Dean Kremer/Zach Eflin BULLPEN:
Closer – Ryan Helsley
Set Up – Yennier Cano
Keegan Akin
Tyler Wells
Dietrich Enns
Rico Garcia
Jackson Kowar
Analysis: This year’s rotation is drastically different from last season, when Zach Eflin was the Opening Day starter. He may not even make the rotation this season, depending on whether the team utilizes a six-man rotation.
Trevor Rogers is looking to build on a season that saw him become one of the best pitchers in the league, while Kyle Bradish wants to stay healthy after only pitching in six games last season, coming off Tommy John surgery. The biggest wild card will be from newcomer Shane Baz. He could be the best pitcher in the rotation if he lives up to his potential and pitches a full season.
The bullpen will be the biggest question going into the season. They signed Ryan Helsley to fill in for Felix Bautista at closer and brought back Andrew Kittredge, although he will miss the beginning of the season. Tyler Wells was moved to the bullpen after being a starter last season. Jackson Kowar will fill out the final spot in the bullpen, mostly due to his lack of options.
INJURED LIST:
Felix Bautista (60-day)
Jackson Holliday
Jordan Westburg
Andrew Kittredge
Colin Selby (60-day)
Analysis: Bautista is expected to miss most of the 2026 season after shoulder surgery ended his year last August. They have not placed anyone else on the list yet, but Westburg is expected to be out until at least May and could join Bautista on the 60-day injured list if his elbow doesn’t respond to treatment.
There is a sense that Holliday will only miss a week or two, while Kittredge will most likely start the season on the 15-day injured list. Selby was one of the few promising bullpen arms from last season, but he will be out at least two months.
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