{"id":166519,"date":"2026-03-20T01:29:19","date_gmt":"2026-03-20T01:29:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=166519"},"modified":"2026-03-20T01:29:19","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T01:29:19","slug":"update-%f0%9f%9a%a8-two-baltimore-orioles-players-are-expected-to-make-the-opening-day-roster-but-might-be-gone-by-may-tough-decisions-are-coming-fast-as-competition-heats-up-inside-the-clu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=166519","title":{"rendered":"UPDATE! \ud83d\udea8 Two Baltimore Orioles players are expected to make the Opening Day roster\u2026 but might be gone by May. Tough decisions are coming fast as competition heats up inside the clubhouse. Smart roster management\u2026 or cutting talent too soon?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Baltimore Orioles Roster Crunch: 2 Players Likely to Make Opening Day Team But Not Last Until May<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"2<\/p>\n

The Baltimore Orioles<\/span><\/span> are heading into the 2026 season with strong momentum\u2014but early injuries have created unexpected roster opportunities that may be short-lived.<\/p>\n

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

However, with those injuries expected to be temporary, some of these players may only have a brief stay in the majors.<\/p>\n

Two names stand out as likely short-term roster placeholders: Jackson Kowar<\/span><\/span> and Bryan Ramos<\/span><\/span>.<\/p>\n

\n

Opportunity Created by Injuries<\/h2>\n

\"5<\/p>\n

Injuries early in the season often create a ripple effect across MLB rosters. For Baltimore, the absence of key contributors has opened doors\u2014but only temporarily.<\/p>\n

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  • \n

    Kittredge\u2019s return will impact the bullpen<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    Holliday\u2019s return will tighten the infield rotation<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    Westburg\u2019s absence adds short-term flexibility<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    As a result, players who make the roster now may quickly find themselves squeezed out once the team returns to full strength.<\/p>\n

    \n

    Jackson Kowar: Fighting for a Bullpen Spot<\/h2>\n

    Jackson Kowar<\/span><\/span> finds himself in a particularly tough situation.<\/p>\n

    Because he is out of minor league options, the Orioles face a clear decision:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • \n

      Keep him on the active roster<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    • \n

      Or risk losing him on waivers<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      That reality makes it very likely Kowar will open the season in the bullpen.<\/p>\n

      The Problem? Heavy Competition<\/h3>\n

      The Orioles\u2019 bullpen is crowded with established arms, including:<\/p>\n

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      • \n

        Ryan Helsley<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      • \n

        Tyler Wells<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      • \n

        Yennier Cano<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      • \n

        Rico Garcia<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        When Kittredge returns, one of these pitchers will likely be removed from the roster.<\/p>\n

        Helsley, Wells, and Cano are considered safe due to performance and tenure. That leaves Kowar in direct competition with Rico Garcia.<\/p>\n

        Why Kowar Could Be the Odd Man Out<\/h3>\n
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        • \n

          Garcia had stronger numbers last season<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

        • \n

          He has better career performance metrics<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

        • \n

          Projection systems favor Garcia going forward<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Unless Kowar clearly outperforms Garcia early in the season, he could be the one cut when roster pressure increases.<\/p>\n

          \n

          Bryan Ramos: A Temporary Infield Fill-In<\/h2>\n

          On the position player side, Bryan Ramos<\/span><\/span> is another candidate for a short-term roster spot.<\/p>\n

          With Jackson Holliday<\/span><\/span> expected to miss only about a week, the Orioles need a temporary utility option.<\/p>\n

          Why Ramos Makes Sense\u2014For Now<\/h3>\n
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            He is already on the 40-man roster<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

          • \n

            He is out of minor league options<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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            Promoting him avoids using options on younger prospects<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            This makes Ramos a logical short-term solution while Holliday recovers.<\/p>\n

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            Why Ramos Likely Won\u2019t Stick<\/h2>\n

            Despite the opportunity, Ramos\u2019 long-term outlook with the team is uncertain.<\/p>\n

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              The Orioles have already designated him for assignment (DFA) once this year<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

            • \n

              He was briefly claimed by another team before returning<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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              The front office has shown willingness to move him<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              Once Holliday returns, Baltimore will face the same decision again\u2014and likely make the same move.<\/p>\n

              \n

              A Classic MLB Roster Reality<\/h2>\n

              \"Orioles<\/p>\n

              Situations like this are common across baseball.<\/p>\n

              Opening Day rosters often include:<\/p>\n

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              • \n

                Temporary replacements<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

              • \n

                Depth players filling injury gaps<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

              • \n

                Fringe talents fighting for survival<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                But once key players return, difficult decisions follow.<\/p>\n

                For the Baltimore Orioles<\/span><\/span>, this means balancing:<\/p>\n

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                • \n

                  Short-term needs<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                • \n

                  Long-term roster construction<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                • \n

                  Player development priorities<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                  \n

                  Final Thoughts: Short-Term Opportunity, Long-Term Uncertainty<\/h2>\n

                  For players like Jackson Kowar<\/span><\/span> and Bryan Ramos<\/span><\/span>, making the Opening Day roster would be a significant achievement.<\/p>\n

                  But the reality is harsh:<\/p>\n

                  Their time in Baltimore may be brief.<\/p>\n

                  With reinforcements like Andrew Kittredge<\/span><\/span> and Jackson Holliday<\/span><\/span> expected back soon, roster spots will quickly disappear.<\/p>\n

                  Still, these early-season opportunities matter. A strong performance\u2014even in a short window\u2014can:<\/p>\n

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                  • \n

                    Extend a player\u2019s stay<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                  • \n

                    Earn future chances<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

                  • \n

                    Or attract interest from other teams<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                    In Major League Baseball, sometimes all you need is a moment.<\/p>\n

                    For Kowar and Ramos, that moment is now.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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

                    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… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":166522,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-166519","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mlb"],"yoast_head":"\nUPDATE! \ud83d\udea8 Two Baltimore Orioles players are expected to make the Opening Day roster\u2026 but might be gone by May. Tough decisions are coming fast as competition heats up inside the clubhouse. Smart roster management\u2026 or cutting talent too soon? - NEWS USA<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=166519\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"UPDATE! \ud83d\udea8 Two Baltimore Orioles players are expected to make the Opening Day roster\u2026 but might be gone by May. Tough decisions are coming fast as competition heats up inside the clubhouse. 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