BALTIMORE — The Orioles made most of their Opening Day roster decision before departing Sarasota earlier this week, but the official announcement still provided a couple wrinkles on Thursday.
In addition to including the recently signed Tony Kemp as a seventh infielder, Baltimore placed right-hander Jacob Webb on the paternity list and recalled lefty Nick Vespi to complete its eight-man bullpen. As expected, the Orioles placed starting pitchers Kyle Bradish (right UCL sprain) and John Means (left forearm strain) on the 15-day injured list.
Out of minor-league options after not making the club, outfielder Ryan McKenna and infielder Tyler Nevin were officially designated for assignment, leaving their future with the Orioles up in the air.
Opening Day Orioles lineup:
SS Henderson
C Rutschman
1B Mountcastle
RF Santander
LF Hays
DH Westburg
CF Mullins
3B Urias
2B Mateo
SP Burnes— Luke Jones (@BaltimoreLuke) March 28, 2024
Five players officially made their first career Opening Day roster, a list including 2023 All-Star reliever Yennier Cano, outfielder Colton Cowser, starting pitcher Grayson Rodriguez, infielder Jordan Westburg, and Vespi. Three veterans will be making their Orioles debut: Opening Day starter Corbin Burnes, nine-time All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel, and Kemp.
In a sign of continuity from last season, 15 of the 26 players were also on the 2023 Opening Day roster.
Below is a breakdown of the 26-man roster for Opening Day:
8
STARTING PITCHERS (5): Corbin Burnes, Grayson Rodriguez, Tyler Wells, Dean Kremer, Cole Irvin
RELIEF PITCHERS (8): Craig Kimbrel, Yennier Cano, Danny Coulombe, Cionel Perez, Dillon Tate, Mike Baumann, Keegan Akin, Nick Vespi
CATCHERS (2): Adley Rutschman, James McCann
INFIELDERS (7): Gunnar Henderson, Ryan Mountcastle, Ryan O’Hearn, Jordan Westburg, Ramon Urias, Jorge Mateo, Tony Kemp
OUTFIELDERS (4): Austin Hays, Cedric Mullins, Anthony Santander, Colton Cowser
15-DAY INJURED LIST (2): RHP Kyle Bradish (right UCL sprain), LHP John Means (left forearm strain)
60-DAY INJURED LIST (1): RHP Felix Bautista (right UCL reconstruction surgery)
