The latest health updates on Orioles recovering from injuries or surgeries will be shared on the first day of spring training. Media access begins Feb. 13.

Nothing passed along at this point has sounded the alarms.

Jorge Mateo seems to be the largest question mark regarding Opening Day availability as he recovers from Aug. 28 surgery to correct a dislocated left elbow. Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias said Thursday that Mateo’s “not going to be a hundred percent citizen of spring training, but he’ll be ramping up and we’ll be able to address whether or not he’s going to break for exact Opening Day a little bit later.”

That crowded infield might have found its solution. Too soon to know.

Closer Félix Bautista also needs to ramp up after reporting and is going to be on a slower spring pace than his teammates, but he’s expected to be ready for March 27 in Toronto.

“I’ve been in Sarasota the last couple weeks,” manager Brandon Hyde said Friday during the Birdland Caravan. “He’s been there. Fun to walk to walk in the clubhouse and seeing him in the training room and the weight room and throwing on the field.

“We missed him obviously in a huge way last year. Loved when he was just around. Just him being around last year at times was a good feeling, but you wanted to put him in the game. Unfortunately, he had to go through what he had to go through rehab-wise, did an amazing job with that, and he looks great right now.”

The greatness that he exhibited in 2023 before tearing the ligament in his right elbow hasn’t been forgotten. Players mention him when asked about their optimism for the upcoming season.

Why is this year going to be better than the last two?

“Well, I mean, Félix Bautista’s back on our team, which is a massive thing,” said first baseman Ryan O’Hearn. “I don’t want to put too much pressure on Félix. Obviously, he was the best pitcher in the world for a good stretch of 2023. That’s one that I’m really excited about.”

Meanwhile, outfielder Colton Cowser is physically ready to start spring training on time.

“Yes, yes sir, I am,” he said, chuckling at the shortness and direct path of his response.

“Are we good?”

Funny guy.

While hitters are celebrating the decision to move in the left field wall, Cowser is the guy who’s mainly got to adjust to it defensively. He made 91 starts among his 109 appearances in left last season. He’s still going to get most of the reps there while also shouldering a backup role in center field.

“I think when it comes to the wall, the way it was, it was just one of those situations where you kind of knew where a ball was gonna get out in that ballpark,” he said. “There was more room to cover, but it kind of made it easier to play because you knew you were never gonna run into the wall. You kind of just developed that sense for it when the ball was hit off the bat, whether or not it was getting out.

“I think this year is gonna be new challenges. There’s different nooks and crannies in the wall now and I know that the bullpen is more extended over, closer toward direct left, and there’s more balls hit over there. I think it’s gonna present challenges, and looking forward to seeing how it goes.”

Cowser isn’t worrying about regression from a team that’s made the playoffs in back-to-back seasons.

“I’m feeling really good about it (the roster) this year going into it,” he said. “I think that we’re gonna have tons of people step up and I’m looking forward to getting that going down in spring training. I really do like our roster.”

The biggest changes to it are the loss of No. 1 starter Corbin Burnes and right fielder Anthony Santander to free agency. Burnes finished fifth in American League Cy Young voting and Santander belted 44 home runs to win his first Silver Slugger and finished 14th in Most Valuable Player balloting.

The backup catcher doesn’t garner as much attention or get as many plaudits, but Gary Sánchez was signed to replace James McCann as the alternative to Adley Rutschman.

“Mac did an awesome job for us the last couple years, Robby Chirinos before that in the backup role,” Hyde said, also referencing the new bench coach. “They know Adley really well. With a new catcher in Gary, there’s gonna be some get-to-know throughout camp. That’s going to be important for us that he catches everybody. These six weeks are gonna be a real get-to-know for him, as well the pitchers. Him understanding what they like, what they don’t like, how to set up, etc.

“I’ve been on a couple Zooms with Gary and he’s a pro, and looking forward to the season to start.”

Chirinos was the starting catcher in 2022 before Rutschman’s much-anticipated promotion. He became a reserve and a mentor, and now he’s coaching for the first time.

“I mean, he’s just like an all-time human being,” Rutschman said. “Great guy to play with and I’m really excited to have him around. He’s just going to be a great energy guy, great coach, and like super, super knowledgeable.”