{"id":156080,"date":"2026-02-24T09:04:24","date_gmt":"2026-02-24T09:04:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=156080"},"modified":"2026-02-24T09:04:24","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T09:04:24","slug":"%f0%9f%9a%a8-just-in-the-ace-debate-is-officially-on-in-baltimore-%e2%9a%a1-after-a-sharp-two-inning-return-kyle-bradish-has-fans-of-the-baltimore-orioles-asking-the-big-question-is-he-re","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=156080","title":{"rendered":"\ud83d\udea8 JUST IN: The ace debate is officially on in Baltimore \u26a1 After a sharp two-inning return, Kyle Bradish has fans of the Baltimore Orioles asking the big question \u2014 is he ready to reclaim the top spot in the rotation? The velocity looked alive, the command was there, and the confidence never left. But with a stacked staff and postseason expectations, does Baltimore hand him the ace title again right away\u2026 or take the cautious route? Orioles fans, who truly leads this rotation right now? \ud83d\udc47"},"content":{"rendered":"
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It\u2019s only late February in Lakeland, Florida \u2014 but don\u2019t tell that to the Baltimore Orioles<\/span><\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

With Opening Day set for March 26 against the Minnesota Twins<\/span><\/span><\/strong>, a subtle but fascinating battle is brewing inside the clubhouse. Manager Craig Albernaz<\/span><\/span><\/strong> hasn\u2019t publicly named his starter. But the choice appears to be narrowing: Kyle Bradish<\/span><\/span><\/strong> or Tyler Rogers<\/span><\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

And on Sunday afternoon, Bradish made sure his name stayed firmly in the spotlight.<\/p>\n

\n

Bradish Sends a Message<\/h2>\n

In his first start of the spring, Bradish worked two innings in a 4\u20134 tie against the Detroit Tigers<\/span><\/span><\/strong>. The box score looked modest \u2014 two runs allowed on three hits \u2014 but the context told a deeper story.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Now, he\u2019s attempting to prove he can once again front a rotation \u2014 even if innings limits remain part of the conversation.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe could be an ace on a variety of pitching staffs,\u201d Albernaz said. \u201cThe ceiling for him is just as high as anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

That\u2019s not routine manager speak. That\u2019s conviction.<\/p>\n

Bradish wasn\u2019t overpowering, but there were flashes \u2014 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.<\/p>\n

\u201cI got a little bit of everything,\u201d Bradish said. \u201cMechanically, I feel really good and dialed in. Location will come.\u201d<\/p>\n

For someone who hasn\u2019t experienced a full, uninterrupted spring since 2023, feeling \u201cdialed in\u201d might be the most important development of all.<\/p>\n

\n

Power Surge in February<\/h2>\n

<\/p>\n

Bradish\u2019s outing wasn\u2019t the only development turning heads.<\/p>\n

Pete Alonso<\/span><\/span><\/strong> is suddenly making February feel like October. For the second straight game, Alonso launched a home run, igniting early spring buzz.<\/p>\n

Bradish couldn\u2019t help but smile when asked about it.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope he hits one every single game. That would be amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Heston Kjerstad<\/span><\/span><\/strong> 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 \u2014 but his swing suggests something more.<\/p>\n

\u201cRight now, I feel really good with my swing,\u201d Kjerstad said. \u201cJust to be out here healthy, playing with the team, being back on the field \u2014 that\u2019s always good.\u201d<\/p>\n

Healthy. Confident. Driving the baseball.<\/p>\n

That combination could be pivotal in 2026, especially for a lineup counting on young bats to deepen its run production.<\/p>\n

\n

Depth Making Noise<\/h2>\n

Baltimore\u2019s pitching depth quietly impressed as well.<\/p>\n

    \n
  • \n

    Brandon Young allowed one run over two innings.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    Cameron Foster and Anthony Nunez delivered clean frames.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    Cameron Weston spun two scoreless innings with four strikeouts, flashing intriguing swing-and-miss potential.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    Only Andrew Magno surrendered a late RBI single in the ninth.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Through three spring contests, Bradish, Rogers, and Dean Kremer<\/span><\/span><\/strong> have each logged two innings. The ramp-up is measured and deliberate.<\/p>\n

    But make no mistake \u2014 someone will receive the Opening Day assignment.<\/p>\n

    Rogers strengthened his case Friday with two dominant innings and is coming off a 9\u20133 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.<\/p>\n

    \n

    Injury Scare and Redemption Arc<\/h2>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Not everything was smooth.<\/p>\n

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

    Then there\u2019s Jud Fabian<\/span><\/span><\/strong> \u2014 perhaps the most intriguing redemption storyline in camp.<\/p>\n

    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 \u2014 15 home runs \u2014 was real. The swing-and-miss issues were glaring.<\/p>\n

    \u201cI got hurt in the middle of last year,\u201d Fabian said. \u201cWhen I came back, it was hard to get that consistency back.\u201d<\/p>\n

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

    \u201cIf I do everything right, it should lead to less strikeouts,\u201d he said. \u201cWhen you focus on it, that\u2019s when you do it more.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \n

    The Decision Approaches<\/h2>\n

    Baltimore sits at 1\u20131\u20131 this spring \u2014 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.<\/p>\n

    The Atlanta Braves<\/span><\/span><\/strong> await Monday, with Cade Povich<\/span><\/span><\/strong> scheduled to take the ball.<\/p>\n

    And inside that clubhouse, the Opening Day decision inches closer.<\/p>\n

    Because in Baltimore, spring isn\u2019t just preparation.<\/p>\n

    It\u2019s positioning.<\/p>\n

    \n

    Game Details<\/strong>
    Date: February 23, 2026
    Location: Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium<\/span><\/span>
    Event: MLB Spring Training
    Result: Orioles 4, Tigers 4 (tie)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    <\/div>\n
    \n
    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n
    <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    It\u2019s only late February in Lakeland, Florida \u2014 but don\u2019t tell that to the Baltimore Orioles. With Opening Day set for March 26 against the Minnesota Twins,… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":156087,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-156080","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mlb"],"yoast_head":"\n\ud83d\udea8 JUST IN: The ace debate is officially on in Baltimore \u26a1 After a sharp two-inning return, Kyle Bradish has fans of the Baltimore Orioles asking the big question \u2014 is he ready to reclaim the top spot in the rotation? The velocity looked alive, the command was there, and the confidence never left. But with a stacked staff and postseason expectations, does Baltimore hand him the ace title again right away\u2026 or take the cautious route? 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