Baltimore Orioles Roster Crunch: 2 Players Likely to Make Opening Day Team But Not Last Until May

The Baltimore Orioles are heading into the 2026 season with strong momentum—but early injuries have created unexpected roster opportunities that may be short-lived.

With key players like Andrew Kittredge, Jackson Holliday, and Jordan Westburg sidelined to begin the year, several fringe players are getting a chance to make the Opening Day roster.

However, with those injuries expected to be temporary, some of these players may only have a brief stay in the majors.

Two names stand out as likely short-term roster placeholders: Jackson Kowar and Bryan Ramos.

Opportunity Created by Injuries

Injuries early in the season often create a ripple effect across MLB rosters. For Baltimore, the absence of key contributors has opened doors—but only temporarily.

• Kittredge’s return will impact the bullpen

• Holliday’s return will tighten the infield rotation

• Westburg’s absence adds short-term flexibility

As a result, players who make the roster now may quickly find themselves squeezed out once the team returns to full strength.

Jackson Kowar: Fighting for a Bullpen Spot

Jackson Kowar finds himself in a particularly tough situation.

Because he is out of minor league options, the Orioles face a clear decision:

• Keep him on the active roster

• Or risk losing him on waivers

That reality makes it very likely Kowar will open the season in the bullpen.

The Problem? Heavy Competition

The Orioles’ bullpen is crowded with established arms, including:

• Ryan Helsley

• Tyler Wells

• Yennier Cano

• Rico Garcia

When Kittredge returns, one of these pitchers will likely be removed from the roster.

Helsley, Wells, and Cano are considered safe due to performance and tenure. That leaves Kowar in direct competition with Rico Garcia.

Why Kowar Could Be the Odd Man Out

• Garcia had stronger numbers last season

• He has better career performance metrics

• Projection systems favor Garcia going forward

Unless Kowar clearly outperforms Garcia early in the season, he could be the one cut when roster pressure increases.

Bryan Ramos: A Temporary Infield Fill-In

On the position player side, Bryan Ramos is another candidate for a short-term roster spot.

With Jackson Holliday expected to miss only about a week, the Orioles need a temporary utility option.

Why Ramos Makes Sense—For Now

• He is already on the 40-man roster

• He is out of minor league options

• Promoting him avoids using options on younger prospects

This makes Ramos a logical short-term solution while Holliday recovers.

Why Ramos Likely Won’t Stick

Despite the opportunity, Ramos’ long-term outlook with the team is uncertain.

• The Orioles have already designated him for assignment (DFA) once this year

• He was briefly claimed by another team before returning

• The front office has shown willingness to move him

Once Holliday returns, Baltimore will face the same decision again—and likely make the same move.

A Classic MLB Roster Reality

Situations like this are common across baseball.

Opening Day rosters often include:

• Temporary replacements

• Depth players filling injury gaps

• Fringe talents fighting for survival

But once key players return, difficult decisions follow.

For the Baltimore Orioles, this means balancing:

• Short-term needs

• Long-term roster construction

• Player development priorities

Final Thoughts: Short-Term Opportunity, Long-Term Uncertainty

For players like Jackson Kowar and Bryan Ramos, making the Opening Day roster would be a significant achievement.

But the reality is harsh:

Their time in Baltimore may be brief.

With reinforcements like Andrew Kittredge and Jackson Holliday expected back soon, roster spots will quickly disappear.

Still, these early-season opportunities matter. A strong performance—even in a short window—can:

• Extend a player’s stay

• Earn future chances

• Or attract interest from other teams

In Major League Baseball, sometimes all you need is a moment.

For Kowar and Ramos, that moment is now.