It’s only late February in Lakeland, Florida — but don’t tell that to the Baltimore Orioles.

With Opening Day set for March 26 against the Minnesota Twins, a subtle but fascinating battle is brewing inside the clubhouse. Manager Craig Albernaz hasn’t publicly named his starter. But the choice appears to be narrowing: Kyle Bradish or Tyler Rogers.

And on Sunday afternoon, Bradish made sure his name stayed firmly in the spotlight.

Bradish Sends a Message

In his first start of the spring, Bradish worked two innings in a 4–4 tie against the Detroit Tigers. The box score looked modest — two runs allowed on three hits — but the context told a deeper story.

This is a pitcher who underwent Tommy John surgery in June 2024. A pitcher who still finished fourth in Cy Young voting that year. A pitcher who quietly posted a 2.53 ERA across six starts last season while working under strict workload management.

Now, he’s attempting to prove he can once again front a rotation — even if innings limits remain part of the conversation.

“He could be an ace on a variety of pitching staffs,” Albernaz said. “The ceiling for him is just as high as anyone.”

That’s not routine manager speak. That’s conviction.

Bradish wasn’t overpowering, but there were flashes — a sinker with late bite, a tight slider with depth, and the ability to induce weak contact even when his command drifted slightly in the second inning.

“I got a little bit of everything,” Bradish said. “Mechanically, I feel really good and dialed in. Location will come.”

For someone who hasn’t experienced a full, uninterrupted spring since 2023, feeling “dialed in” might be the most important development of all.

Power Surge in February

Bradish’s outing wasn’t the only development turning heads.

Pete Alonso is suddenly making February feel like October. For the second straight game, Alonso launched a home run, igniting early spring buzz.

Bradish couldn’t help but smile when asked about it.

“I hope he hits one every single game. That would be amazing.”

Meanwhile, Heston Kjerstad joined the home run parade, driving one out with authority. After his 2025 season ended prematurely due to what the team described as exhaustion, simply being healthy is a win — but his swing suggests something more.

“Right now, I feel really good with my swing,” Kjerstad said. “Just to be out here healthy, playing with the team, being back on the field — that’s always good.”

Healthy. Confident. Driving the baseball.

That combination could be pivotal in 2026, especially for a lineup counting on young bats to deepen its run production.

Depth Making Noise

Baltimore’s pitching depth quietly impressed as well.

• Brandon Young allowed one run over two innings.

• Cameron Foster and Anthony Nunez delivered clean frames.

• Cameron Weston spun two scoreless innings with four strikeouts, flashing intriguing swing-and-miss potential.

• Only Andrew Magno surrendered a late RBI single in the ninth.

Through three spring contests, Bradish, Rogers, and Dean Kremer have each logged two innings. The ramp-up is measured and deliberate.

But make no mistake — someone will receive the Opening Day assignment.

Rogers strengthened his case Friday with two dominant innings and is coming off a 9–3 campaign with a sparkling 1.81 ERA. Bradish brings ace-level upside and postseason-caliber stuff. Albernaz has time, but the evaluation has clearly begun.

Injury Scare and Redemption Arc

Not everything was smooth.

Shortstop Payton Eeles exited in the eighth inning after colliding with center fielder Enrique Bradfield Jr., experiencing left shoulder discomfort. Albernaz labeled it precautionary, but any spring injury triggers concern.

Then there’s Jud Fabian — perhaps the most intriguing redemption storyline in camp.

The 2022 second-round pick endured a difficult Triple-A season with Norfolk last year, hitting .183 with 136 strikeouts across 109 games. The power — 15 home runs — was real. The swing-and-miss issues were glaring.

“I got hurt in the middle of last year,” Fabian said. “When I came back, it was hard to get that consistency back.”

Now 25, Fabian returns as a minor league invitee, studying veteran outfielders and working to quiet his strikeout tendencies without obsessing over them.

“If I do everything right, it should lead to less strikeouts,” he said. “When you focus on it, that’s when you do it more.”

The Decision Approaches

Baltimore sits at 1–1–1 this spring — a meaningless record in the standings but meaningful in tone. Health is trending in the right direction. Young bats are showing life. Pitchers are building methodically.

The Atlanta Braves await Monday, with Cade Povich scheduled to take the ball.

And inside that clubhouse, the Opening Day decision inches closer.

Because in Baltimore, spring isn’t just preparation.

It’s positioning.

Game Details
Date: February 23, 2026
Location: Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium
Event: MLB Spring Training
Result: Orioles 4, Tigers 4 (tie)