Author Archives: Domenic Vadala

Welcome to Birdland Crush! Yes folks, for the record it's a spin off of the popular summer beverage native to the Mid-Atlantic Region - "orange crush." Nevertheless, I've been covering Orioles' baseball since 2009 in some capacity, and it's basically the greatest gig of all time so far as I'm concerned! But for those who aren't familiar with my work or bio, I'm familiar with pretty much every sport out there. But baseball is king - we all know that. So my hope is that you come back and check in after every Orioles' game, and throughout the off-season. I'm always on duty!

Baltimore Orioles: Beware of the big inning

Dean Kremer made his maiden spring voyage this afternoon against Pittsburgh at Ed Smith Stadium. Interesting outing; Kremer surrendered two runs, but didn’t give up a hit. Kremer’s line: 2.0 IP, 0 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 1 K.

Kremer sent Pittsburgh down 1-2-3 in the first. However he surrendered three walks to lead off the second inning, and you know what comes next. Nothing good ever happens after a walk – much less three. Yorke grounded into a force out, giving Pittsburgh a 1-0 lead. Rodriguez would do the same, and the O’s trailed 2-0.

These spring games are as much about fundamentals as anything else. They certainly aren’t about wins and losses! That second force out was a comebacker to Kremer. He hesitated ever so slightly in throwing the ball to second base; did that cause him to make a throwing that was slightly “off?” Tough to say. But the throw was slightly “off,” perhaps preventing a double-play. You can’t give away outs.

The Orioles would get on the board in the last of the second when Dylan Beavers grounded into a double-play with runners at the corners. But that was the only run that they would put across in the at-bat. In a game that didn’t count.

The O’s brought in Dietrich Enns in the fourth. Remember how every pitching analyst in history says stay out of the big inning? Enns didn’t take that advice this afternoon. Following a walk, he surrendered a two-run homer to Rodriguez, extending Pittsburgh’s lead to 4-1. Two singles later runners were at the corners, and Pittsburgh attempted a steal of second. Adley Rutschman committed a throwing error, allowing a run to score.

Following another walk, former Oriole fan favorite Ryan O’Hearn came up to bat. O’Hearn specifically requested to be on the trip for Pittsburgh, as he valued his time with the Orioles so much. To his credit, he took full advantage, sending an Enns pitch into the stands for a three-run home run and extending the Pittsburgh lead to 8-1.

However we also saw the beauty and majesty of baseball in that moment. When he came up for his first at-bat, O’Hearn was giving a standing ovation by Orioles fans at Ed Smith Stadium. He acknowledged the crowd and went about his business. While rounding the bases on that home run, Orioles fans also applauded; O’Hearn again acknowledged the crowd while rounding the bases.

O’Hearn anappreciated the fans while an Oriole. It showed today – on both sides. He showed a lot of class in that moment, as did the Orioles fans.

The O’s would get one back in the last of the fifth on an errant pickoff attempt, but the damage was done. Remember folks, the results aren’t important in these games. It’s things like Kremer hesitating in the moment as I mentioned above which need to be worked out. And they will be.

The Orioles head out on the road for the first time this spring tomorrow to take on Detroit at Joker Merchant Stadium. Kyle Bradish gets the start for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by Detroit’s Jack Flaherty. Game time is set for just after 1 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Pete Alonso for the win!

Opening Day of Spring Training came today for the Baltimore Orioles. Trevor Rogers was on the mound, and was all but flawless. Okay, he gave up one base hit in two innings. But other than that he looked good. Rogers’ line: 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K.

I’ll only say this seven or eight more times over the next week or so. But keep in mind that hitters are roughly 5-7 days behind pitchers and catchers. So it isn’t shocking to see low-scoring spring games. Especially in early spring.

One important aspect of today’s game was prior to it – Mike Elias told the media that Jordan Westburg had a partially torn UCL, and would miss at the very least the first month of the season. I suspect more. He’s undergoing therapy, and the Orioles are hopeful of a positive prognosis.

So injuries are once again leading the day. It’s unclear how this injury occurred, but one way or the other it occurred. And the Orioles are now taxed with finding a replacement, at least temporarily.

That replacement could be Coby Mayo in the interim. The youngster went 0-for-2 today, but looked good in the field at the hot corner. Needless to say that could be the biggest early camp storyline for the O’s.

Filling in for Jackson Holliday at second was Jeremiah Jackson, who looks better and better as an acquisition. He led off the sixth with a base hit, and later scored the Orioles’ first run in camp on a two-run home run by Pete Alonso. The Orioles’ biggest offseason acquisition in years made his first bang. And led to a 2-0 Orioles’ win on Grapefruit League Opening Day.

The Orioles remain in Sarasota tomorrow as Pittsburgh rides into Ed Smith Stadium. Dean Kremer gets the start for the Orioles, and he’ll be opposed by Pittsburgh’s Wilber Dotel. Game time is set for just after 1 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: Jordan Westburg’s status up in the air

2026 is already not being kind to the Baltimore Orioles in terms of injuries. Jackson Holliday broke a bone in his wrist – and might miss a couple of weeks. Then there’s Jordan Westburg…

All the Orioles are publicly saying is that he has a strained oblique. However as this week has gone on rumors have swirled that he would be missing more time, and might be facing surgery. Manager Craig Albernaz on Westburg (quote courtesy of Roch Kubatko, MASNsports):

Right now, he’s physically unable to participate right now. So he’s getting evaluated by a medical team and also outside people to make sure we have a plan in place and see what’s going on with Jordan and get him going.

That’s obviously a quote that’s fairly ominous among other things. It’s purposely vague. Will this be yet another year where the O’s struggle with injuries?

In a later comment Alberbaz also used the term play “this year” with regard to Westburg. Hopefully that’s truly the case. The Orioles were a much better team last year when Westburg was in the lineup. Time will tell.

The Orioles also open Florida Grapefruit League play this afternoon when AL East rival New York visits Ed Smith Stadium. Trevor Rogers gets the start for the O’s, and New York is yet to announce a starter. Game time is set for just after 1 PM.

Baltimore Orioles: First pitch for 2026

1996 was the last time the President of the United States threw out the first pitch for the Baltimore Orioles. That in the form of President Bill Clinton on Opening Day. Vice-President Joe Biden also came to Camden Yards one year. But it’s been that long since a sitting President has done it.

The White House has a unique relationship with Major League Baseball, due to the tradition of the President throwing out the first pitch on Opening Day. President William Howard Taft almost inadvertently began the tradition in 1910 on Opening Day for the Washington Senators. Since then most subsequent Presidents have done it.

Sadly the tradition has waned in recent years. Neither President Biden nor President Trump (to this point) did the honors. But it was certainly a thing for a time. President Roosevelt (FDR) actually hit a Washington Post camera when doing the deed one year. President Kennedy opened the 1961 season (his first in office) and the new DC Stadium with a first pitch for the Senators on Opening Day. DC Stadium would later be renamed in honor of his slain brother, Senator Robert F. Kennedy.

When the Senators moved after 1971, the “Presidential Opener” did take on a Baltimore flavor. The Orioles were the closest team to the nation’s capitol, but ironically the first time a President did the honors at Memorial Stadium wasn’t on Opening Day. It was in the 1979 World Series when President Jimmy Carter threw out the first pitch. President’s Reagan, Bush (41), and the aforementioned President Clinton would come to Memorial Stadium and Camden Yards in subsequent years. (And the aforementioned Joe Biden, as Vice-President.)

Obviously the most celebrated and important first pitch in history was that of President George W. Bush at the 2001 World Series. This of course in the wake of 9/11, and at Yankee Stadium to boot. In a moment that largely symbolizes a moment when America rose like a Phoenix from the ashes (and yes I recognize that the Arizona Diamondbacks won that World Series!), the President threw from the mound as opposed to in front of it. And…he threw a strike.

Again, the tradition has waned. Many Presidents, including Bush (43) and Obama, have cited the fact that it’s somewhat unfair to fans coming to games to have to undergo the security checks which get set up by the Secret Service when the President shows up. Having attended football games with the President in attendance, honestly it isn’t as much as I would have thought. For what that’s worth.

As a Presidential history buff, this is one of my favorite “recurring” columns to write each year. I always end it the same way, and this year is going to be no exception. But I’m going to give an additional “add-on spin” to it also. We now have for the first time in history, a Pope born in the United States. So to His Holiness, Pope Leo, I suspect that your hometown team, the Chicago White Sox, would love to have you throw out the first pitch on Opening Day!

Again, I end this column in the same way every year, pointing at the current occupant of the Oval Office. I think the President of the United States should throw out the first ball on Opening Day in Washington DC every year.

Baltimore Orioles: Chris Bassitt goes Bird to Bird

It’s being reported this evening that the Baltimore Orioles have signed RHP Chris Bassitt to a one-year contract worth $18.5 million dollars. Bassitt, 36, now joins the Orioles’ re-tooled rotation.

Last year Bassitt went 11-9 with a 3.96 ERA with Toronto. And unsung benefit of the signing is that Bassitt obviously has post-season experience. He was a part of a Toronto rotation that went to the World Series last year. He also participated in a resurgence with Toronto, which the Orioles hope happens again but to them. Time will tell if that ends up being the case.

Baltimore Orioles: Injuries already a concern

News out of Sarasota for the Baltimore Orioles today was more of the same as we saw at various points last year. Mike Elias announced this morning that Jackson Holiday would miss Opening Day with a broken hamate bone in his finger. Jordan Westburg is also working through a strained oblique, and will miss the beginning of Grapefruit League play. He’s not expected to miss any regular season games at this time.

The silver lining is that last part – that Westburg isn’t expected to miss any time in the regular season (at this time). It’s more concerning on a large-scale basis given the number of injuries this franchise sustained in 2025. And even before. Holliday’s injury was sustained a few weeks ago taking live BP.

You have to hope this is the extent of injuries this spring. If so, it’s a non-story. Blip in the radar. The other option is that maybe the Orioles need to look into their training programs. Jackson Holliday with a broken bone during BP – those things happen. But Westburg with the oblique…is there something wrong with how the Orioles are training? Because this sort of thing happened a lot last year.

Baltimore Orioles: Shane Baz to the Birds

The Baltimore Orioles made a move to acquire starting pitching today, trading for RHP Shane Baz, formerly of the Tampa Rays. In return, the Orioles sent OF Slater de Brun, C Caden Bodine, RHP Michael Forret and OF Austin Overn back to Tampa. The teams have not confirmed the deal, which also includes a Competitive Balance Round A pick going to Tampa.

Baz, 26, made a career-high 31 starts in 2025. He pitched to a 10-12 record with a 4.87 ERA. He struck out 176 and walked 64. He’s also under team control until 2029.

That last part is probably the key, presumably the reason the price was so high. Controllable pitching is a hot commodity. Many of the big names on the trade market are on the docket BECAUSE they don’t have much team control left on their contracts.

Controllable pitching is key. So is keeping your core. Any discussion of involving the likes of someone such as Jackson Holliday should be a non-starter.

Baltimore Orioles: Pete Alonso is for the Birds

Don’t say that the Baltimore Orioles weren’t aggressive this offseason. It’s being reported today at the MLB Winter Meetings that the O’s are signing former New York Mets’ first baseman Pete Alonso. The club has not confirmed the signing as of yet, as it’s pending a physical.

Alonso signed a two-year deal with New York last year, which had an opt-out clause. The deal with the Orioles is a reported five years and $155 million, and allegedly has no opt-out clause. Alonso, 31, is excepted to be the Orioles’ starting first baseman on Opening Day.

President of Baseball Operations Mike Elias said he went to the Winter Meetings partially to get a big bat, and he did. Alonso hit .272 last year, with 38 homers. Also 41 doubles. He should plug into the Orioles’ lineup well.

The question now becomes what to do with Ryan Mountcastle, who was recently tendered a contract. It’s entirely possible that he’ll be packaged in a trade for a starting pitcher. Or perhaps Coby Mayo could be that guy. Either way the O’s have a logjam now at first base, despite this being a winning move.

Baltimore Orioles trade Grayson Rodriguez to Anaheim

The Baltimore Orioles made a trade overnight. And a stunning one at that. Pitcher Grayson Rodriguez was traded to the Anaheim Angels in return for OF Taylor Ward.

For starters, Ward is a career .247 hitter. He did hit 25 homers in 2024, and 36 in 2025. Whether that translates to anything in 2026 of course remains to be seen. However we do know that Camden Yards tends to favor hitters, this despite the newish dimensions.

Rodriguez of course was expected to be a stalwart in the Oriole rotation at one time. He was injured in 2024, and missed all of 2025. Are the Orioles not confident that he’ll ever amount to what was thought to be his full potential?

At its surface, it’s a curious trade. The O’s had a lot invested in Rodriguez, and he was thought to be the future. Ward is also a free agent in 2027, for what that’s worth. Again, seems curious.

My thought is that yes, Rodriguez returning to form (or at all in 2026) could be in question. But keep in mind that we’re not even at Thanksgiving yet. The Hot Stove season has barely been ushered in. Maybe the Orioles have a trade in the works for a bigger name pitcher.

If they do, it may not even be one that’s consummated in the near future. But it’s a thought. For now, Grayson Rodriguez has gone to Anaheim, and the Orioles have Taylor Ward in the outfield.

Baltimore Orioles: Craig Albernaz appears to be it

The Baltimore Orioles appear to be hiring Craig Albernaz as their new manager. You might find yourself asking, “who?” You aren’t alone.

Albernaz, 43, was hired as the Cleveland Guardians’ bench coach for the 2024 season. He was promoted to Associate Manager for this past year. He was also the San Francisco Giants’ Bulloen Coach in 2019, and he’s coached in the Tampa Rays’ organization,

A minor league catcher, Albernaz never made it to the big leagues. He wasn’t on anyone’s short list as a candidate. My personal opinion was that it was going to be former Seattle skipper Scott Servais. But Albernaz did enough to woo Mike Elias to get the job. For what it’s worth, he was also rumored to be a finalist for at least one other job.

He’s another young hire, at 43. Brandon Hyde was 45. He’ll inherit a team that was riddled with injuries in 2025, and couldn’t quite put it together even in the short amount of time they were close to full strength. But he’ll also inherit a roster that has the potential to make a run at a title – IF the likes of Elias and the front office can add perhaps a big name in the field and on the mound. But one way or the other, Craig Albernaz it seems to be.

I wouldn’t expect a formal announcement until after the conclusion of the World Series, but this appears to be the direction in which the Orioles are going.