Sizing up Opening Day roster for 2026 Orioles
Luke Jones takes a look at the initial 26-man roster for new manager Craig Albernaz.
gunnar henderson
Swinging for the fences and a shot at October magic
We believe the Baltimore Orioles will hit the ball this year but will they catch it? Luke Jones and Nestor discuss last year’s bad defense, poor start and how the many hopeful bats of the Birds should pound their into a playoff caliber team as Opening Day awaits.
Twelve Orioles Thoughts entering 2026 season
New manager Craig Albernaz will try to lead Baltimore back to the postseason after a last-place finish in 2025.
Allen McCallum and Luke Jones join Nestor for a full Orioles preview for Opening Day
Allen McCallum and Luke Jones join Nestor for a full Orioles preview for Opening Day
Dear Alby: Welcome to Birdland and the low bar of high expectations
Before Grondahl and Bader and Griggs and Fine grab you and tell you all about me and my decades of orange civic mind crimes of baseball passion, let me make this clear: I am a true believer. I think the 2026 Orioles can win.
Our expert panel discusses what’s in store for Orioles this summer
We don’t convene two generations of WNST ballpark reports often enough but when Allen McCallum and Luke Jones join Nestor to talk Baltimore Orioles baseball, it’s always a good day on the Maryland Crab Cake Tour. The trio navigate Opening Day and beyond from Costas Inn in Dundalk with a resounding: “Play ball!”
Luke Jones and Nestor bring depth of Orioles pitching into focus as Kittredge goes down in Sarasota
As we march through spring on the road to Opening Day, Luke Jones and Nestor convened at Costas Inn in Dundalk to discuss the bullpen concerns of the Baltimore Orioles as pitching and innings come into focus as Andrew Kittredge goes down in Sarasota.
Bullpen depth and health continues to be a massive spring concern for Orioles
As we march through spring on the road to Opening Day, Luke Jones and Nestor convened at Costas Inn in Dundalk to discuss the bullpen concerns of the Baltimore Orioles as pitching and innings come into focus as Andrew Kittredge goes down in Sarasota.
Luke Jones and Nestor discuss Orioles spring training pathway to Opening Day and roster spots
As we watch selected spring training games on what’s left of the MASN television network, we see opportunity and the summer ahead for the Baltimore Orioles. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the Sarasota innings and at-bats and what they’ll mean for skipper Craig Albernaz and the Birds as Opening Day looms and injuries abound in Florida.
Injuries open new path to an Opening Day roster spot in Birdland
As we watch selected spring training games on what’s left of the MASN television network, we see opportunity and the summer ahead for the Baltimore Orioles. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the Sarasota innings and at-bats and what they’ll mean for skipper Craig Albernaz and the Birds as Opening Day looms and injuries abound in Florida.
Twelve Orioles Thoughts as World Baseball Classic competition begins
Adley Rutschman enters a pivotal 2026 after enduring struggles and injuries over the last season and a half.
Finding the WBC mojo as spring training splinters for MLB players
With Opening Day three weeks away, the structure of Major League Baseball changes dramatically as many players including Gunnar Henderson report to World Baseball Classic duties and games that feel far more competitive than spring training. Luke Jones and Nestor do some long toss on this international tournament that has produced some classic moments. Will you be watching?
Luke Jones and Nestor discuss expectations of new Orioles manager Craig Albernaz this season
With changes made in leadership with both professional sports franchises in Baltimore this winter, it’ll be Craig Albernaz leading off for the Orioles with an early-season testing ground that already include key injuries and a suspect bullpen. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the expectations of the new Birds skipper and the vital signs of life for a team with high hopes in a crowded AL East Division.
The “Alby Effect” and how it will affect and infect Orioles youthful energy
With changes made in leadership with both professional sports franchises in Baltimore this winter, it’ll be Craig Albernaz leading off for the Orioles with an early-season testing ground that already include key injuries and a suspect bullpen. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the expectations of the new Birds skipper and the vital signs of life for a team with high hopes in a crowded AL East Division.
Allen McCallum returns for a spring training thaw and Orioles prospectus with perspective for long MLB season ahead
It’s early and the Orioles already have big injuries to Jackson Holliday and Jordan Westburg that will affect the Opening Day roster. Allen McCallum returns for a spring training thaw and Birdland prospectus with perspective for the long MLB season ahead and the pitching it will take to contend in the American League East.
Trying to reason with long Orioles season ahead
It’s early and the Orioles already have big injuries to Jackson Holliday and Jordan Westburg that will affect the Opening Day roster. Allen McCallum returns for a spring training thaw and Birdland prospectus with perspective for the long MLB season ahead and the pitching it will take to contend in the American League East.
Luke Jones and Nestor take another swing at Orioles spring with Westburg and Holliday injured
There are certainly reasons to be optimistic that the Baltimore Orioles won’t repeat a last-place performance in the American League East but losing two blue-chip, emerging players before March doesn’t lift hope. Luke Jones and Nestor take another swing at spring in Birdland with Jordan Westburg and Jackson Holliday injured before the team takes the field in Sarasota.
Taking another swing at spring training without Holliday and Westburg
There are certainly reasons to be optimistic that the Baltimore Orioles won’t repeat a last-place performance in the American League East but losing two blue-chip, emerging players before March doesn’t lift hope. Luke Jones and Nestor take another swing at spring in Birdland with Jordan Westburg and Jackson Holliday injured before the team takes the field in Sarasota.
Projecting 2026 Orioles’ Opening Day roster ahead of Grapefruit League opener
Will Colton Cowser be able to handle center field every day?
Luke Jones and Nestor preview Orioles new look at spring training and talk MASN money and watching Pete Alonso swing for fences
As the Birds descend upon Sarasota and daily news leaks into the conversation, we’ll be covering the Baltimore Orioles better than ever. Luke Jones and Nestor preview the Orioles new look at spring training and talk MASN money and Bird watching as Mike Elias seeks to add pitching and Pete Alonso brings a captain ready to swing for the fence.
Downloading into Sarasota and swinging for the fences
As the Birds descend upon Sarasota and daily news leaks into the conversation, we’ll be covering the Baltimore Orioles better than ever. Luke Jones and Nestor preview the Orioles new look at spring training and talk MASN money and Bird watching as Mike Elias seeks to add pitching and Pete Alonso brings a captain ready to swing for the fence.
Twelve Orioles Thoughts at start of 2026 spring training
Luke Jones offers his latest orange musings as pitchers and catchers report to Sarasota.
Luke Jones and Nestor discuss that one more arm Orioles need before Sarasota to compete in AL East
The new ownership group reached deep into the monetary reserve to sign slugger Pete Alonso in Baltimore but what’s up with the pitching? Luke Jones and Nestor discuss that one more arm the Orioles need in the rotation – not to mention a too-thin bullpen – in preparation for pitchers and catchers to report to the refurbished facility in Sarasota.
With spring nearly upon us, time running short for Orioles to punctuate encouraging offseason
Is another notable move coming before pitchers and catchers report to Sarasota next week?
Are the Orioles really “armed” for April?
The new ownership group reached deep into the monetary reserve to sign slugger Pete Alonso in Baltimore but what’s up with the pitching? Luke Jones and Nestor discuss that one more arm the Orioles need in the rotation – not to mention a too-thin bullpen – in preparation for pitchers and catchers to report to the refurbished facility in Sarasota.
Luke Jones and Nestor discuss final weeks before spring training and Orioles pitching needs
As the Baltimore Orioles move back into the local news with the Birdland Caravan ahead, Luke Jones and Nestor wonder what moves general manager Mike Elias will have left before pitchers and catchers report to Sarasota to continue to augment the never-ending need for more arms and innings.
Still up in arms for more pitching before Orioles arrive in Sarasota?
As the Baltimore Orioles move back into the local news with the Birdland Caravan ahead, Luke Jones and Nestor wonder what moves general manager Mike Elias will have left before pitchers and catchers report to Sarasota to continue to augment the never-ending need for more arms and innings.
Luke Jones and Nestor discuss Alonso emergence at Camden Yards and what Orioles must do next
The newest and shiniest Baltimore Orioles addition arrived for a bizarrely timed Friday afternoon press conference at Camden Yards and won the day. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the Pete Alonso emergence at The Warehouse alongside David Rubenstein, Mike Elias and Scott Boras and what the future holds for the slugger, whom the owner compared to Frank Robinson coming the Charm City.
Pete Alonso looked the part and won The Warehouse press conference
The newest and shiniest Baltimore Orioles addition arrived for a bizarrely timed Friday afternoon press conference at Camden Yards and won the day. Luke Jones and Nestor discuss the Pete Alonso emergence at The Warehouse alongside David Rubenstein, Mike Elias and Scott Boras and what the future holds for the slugger, whom the owner compared to Frank Robinson coming the Charm City.
Alonso’s arrival makes Orioles look and feel different after years of waiting
Friday’s press conference was fun and exciting, which aren’t adjectives we’ve used to describe the Orioles at this point in the offseason in a very long time.
Luke Jones and Nestor discuss all aspects of Pete Alonso coming to the Baltimore Orioles for big money
It’s not our money and it made the baseball team better so there will be no complaining about Mike Elias taking the money of David Rubenstein and Michael Arougheti and investing in a legitimate attempt to win. The Baltimore Orioles got better with the signing of slugger Pete Alonso but they get $155 million better? Luke Jones and Nestor take a deep dive into the Birdland splash of MLB free agency.
That’s Alonso money for a Baltimore Orioles first baseman
It’s not our money and it made the baseball team better so there will be no complaining about Mike Elias taking the money of David Rubenstein and Michael Arougheti and investing in a legitimate attempt to win. The Baltimore Orioles got better with the signing of slugger Pete Alonso but they get $155 million better? Luke Jones and Nestor take a deep dive into the Birdland splash of MLB free agency.
Searching for the soul of the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards
The Baltimore Orioles finished in last place, lost a half a million fans at the gate at Camden Yards and are searching for a soul this offseason while watching the rest of MLB hang bunting and play October baseball. Luke Jones attended the bizarre Tony Mansolino and Mike Elias press conference at The Warehouse on Monday. Nestor watched on his computer. Here, they discuss the word salad and measure the strategy of David Rubenstein and Michael Arougheti.
Wanna help us spend hundreds of millions of David Rubenstein’s money on Orioles players?
The delicious pizza at Pizza John’s brings all of our friends together to talk baseball in Essex. Our MLB insider Luke Jones and legendary sports cartoonist Ricig join Nestor on the Maryland Crab Cake Tour to take a deep dive on the everything Baltimore Orioles offseason. From the leadership of Mike Elias and the hiring of Craig Albernaz to the expectations of spending hundreds of millions of David Rubenstein and Michael Arougheti’s money before Valentine’s Day, it’s always baseball season here.
Dear Catie Griggs: When Orioles fans ask why I don’t have an Orioles media credential, I’m sending them to you for answers
I’m pulling for you to fix the Orioles on-and-off the field, even if you continue the bizarrely petty Angelos family tradition of willfully, purposely and strategically mistreating me and restricting a legitimate professional working local media member from asking you serious questions in the David Rubenstein “Next Chapter” era.
“We all want the same things here.”
Luke Jones and Ricig join Nestor to talk Orioles, Elias, Albernaz expectations and Rubenstein money
The delicious pizza at Pizza John’s brings all of our friends together to talk baseball in Essex. Our MLB insider Luke Jones and legendary sports cartoonist Ricig join Nestor on the Maryland Crab Cake Tour to take a deep dive on the everything Baltimore Orioles offseason. From the leadership of Mike Elias and the hiring of Craig Albernaz to the expectations of spending hundreds of millions of David Rubenstein and Michael Arougheti’s money before Valentine’s Day, it’s always baseball season here.
So, what do we expect from Craig Albernaz in Baltimore?
Is it the job of the Orioles manager to recruit the community? Well, someone or something has to be a part of driving the Baltimore baseball brand forward this offseason. Luke Jones and Nestor welcome new skipper Craig Albernaz and discuss their hopes for improvements and acquisitions in this offseason that Mike Elias will be judged daily on progress.
Luke Jones and Nestor discuss Orioles welcoming of Albernaz and hope for Elias offseason of acquistions
Is it the job of the Orioles manager to recruit the community? Well, someone or something has to be a part of driving the Baltimore baseball brand forward this offseason. Luke Jones and Nestor welcome new skipper Craig Albernaz and discuss their hopes for improvements and acquisitions in this offseason that Mike Elias will be judged daily on progress.
Examining the pedigree and hire of Orioles manager Craig Albernaz
As the heavy lifting of the offseason begins for the last-place Baltimore Orioles, the first step is complete. New manager Craig Albernaz brings plenty of fresh blood and great recommendations but as Luke Jones and Nestor point out, the players the team acquires this offseason and the maturation of a bevy of young, high-ceiling prospects will decide his fate in the dugout. It’s still baseball season in Baltimore!
Luke Jones and Nestor discuss Orioles managerial hiring of Craig Albernaz and leadership of Elias
As the heavy lifting of the offseason begins for the last-place Baltimore Orioles, the first step is complete. New manager Craig Albernaz brings plenty of fresh blood and great recommendations but as Luke Jones and Nestor point out, the players the team acquires this offseason and the maturation of a bevy of young, high-ceiling prospects will decide his fate in the dugout. It’s still baseball season in Baltimore!
