2 Orioles who earned an Opening Day roster spot, 2 who lost one during spring training

Coming into spring training, there weren't many roster spots up for grabs on the 2026 Baltimore Orioles. Even with the injuries the Orioles have suffered on the infield and in the bullpen, there still isn't much room for anyone who isn't already established. When it's all said and done, there will only be a handful of players that make this team who aren't former top prospects or don't have a guaranteed contract.

It's still early, but some fringe players have already cemented themselves as deserving of a roster spot; others haven't fared as well.

2 Orioles players who have earned an Opening Day roster spot

Yennier Cano

What defined Cano's struggle in 2025 was his inability to get lefties out. When he was rolling in 2023, lefties put up a wOBA of .286; last year, Cano surrendered a wOBA of .404 against left-handed hitters. That's a big jump; it's about the difference between Cal Raleigh and Anthony Volpe. To combat these issues, Cano tried adding various pitches to his arsenal, but nothing really worked.

This spring training, Cano is making a change to be more effective against lefties. He's replacing his changeup with a splitter that he plans to pair with the four-seam that he's used sparingly over the last few years. The early returns are good, the stuff models like the splitter, and he's generating a ton of whiff. In just a few outings, he's gone from hot water to a cool seat.

Jeremiah Jackson

Jackson has hit well so far this spring; the slashline is pretty much right on line with what the Orioles have come to expect from Jackson, and those spring training stats don't even factor in the home run he hit against the Netherlands. The offense isn't the concern, though; the Orioles know Jackson can hit. What they need to see from him is if he can be trusted to hold down a spot on the infield defensively.

That's where Jackson has done well this spring. After mostly playing in the outfield after his call-up last season, he's transitioned nicely back to the infield. He's made all his Grapefruit League starts at second base and looked smooth. The only hiccup so far came in the game vs the Netherlands while playing short, which isn't something the Orioles are likely to ask him to do. Expect to see Jackson around the infield early in the season.

2 players who lost an Opening Day roster spot during spring training

Chayce McDermott

McDermott came into camp with an inside track to make the team. He's been in the org since 2022 and has been on the 40-man since 2024. The Orioles would love to have a quality reliever under team control for the next 6 years. Unfortunately for McDermott, he got blasted in one of his first outings, giving up three home runs on three consecutive pitches.

Albernaz said the Orioles were fine with McDermott's outing and happy he bounced back, but a few days later, he was one of the first cuts from camp. McDermott's going to have to show the Orioles something in the minors early in the season if he wants another shot at the major league bullpen.

Maverick Handley

Maverick Handley is a good defensive catcher, but his bat puts a hard ceiling on his potential. Unfortunately for him, the Orioles brought in Sam Huff to compete for the third catcher role, and Huff has been absolutely hitting the seams off the ball; meanwhile, Handley hasn't hit a thing. It's unclear whether the Orioles will roster three catchers, but if they do, it'll be Huff over Handley.