It took a while, but the Orioles are finally playing their first night game of spring training, taking on the Yankees under the lights at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota.<\/p>\n
Zach Eflin will make just his second start of spring training and first since his impressive two-inning debut March 5. Orioles beat reporters are generally assuming that Eflin won\u2019t get enough innings this spring to be ready for the Opening Day roster, but the O\u2019s haven\u2019t indicated anything one way or the other about Eflin\u2019s status. How he looks tonight might affect their decision.<\/p>\n
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Tyler O\u2019Neill returns to the Orioles after Team Canada\u2019s elimination from the World Baseball Classic. O\u2019Neill was scalding hot for the O\u2019s before leaving camp, but didn\u2019t play particularly well in the WBC.<\/p>\n
Curiously, Coby Mayo remains absent from the Orioles lineup. He hasn\u2019t played since March 10, when he went 4-for-4 as the designated hitter. His last appearance at third base was the previous day, March 9. There haven\u2019t been any reports of an injury, but you\u2019d think the O\u2019s would want Mayo to get as many game reps at third base as possible before the season begins. It\u2019s strange.<\/p>\n
Also still missing from the lineup is Ryan Mountcastle, who left the March 11 game after being hit in the hand. X-rays came back negative and Mountcastle was considered day-to-day. MASN\u2019s Roch Kubatko reports<\/a> that Mountcastle is expected to return tomorrow. Hopefully the same is true for Mayo.<\/p>\n Orioles lineup:<\/p>\n DH Taylor Ward Advertisement<\/p>\n RHP Zach Eflin<\/p>\n Build Your Winning Bracket!<\/p>\n
CF Colton Cowser
1B Pete Alonso
C Samuel Basallo
RF Tyler O\u2019Neill
LF Heston Kjerstad
2B Blaze Alexander
3B Bryan Ramos
SS Jos\u00e9 Barrero<\/p>\n