Gunnar Henderson’s recent tear brings life to Orioles lineup

Gunnar Henderson didn't have a traditional ramp up to the 2025 season.

The 23-year-old suffered a right intercostal strain in late February after appearing in just three Spring Training games. He was forced to miss the beginning of the big league regular season, and instead started the year in Triple-A Norfolk. There, he mashed for the Tides, posting an .879 OPS. After only five games down on the farm, Henderson was back in the big leagues for the O's eighth game of the season.

MLB teams typically play just over 30 Spring Training games. A myriad of factors might've led to a healthy Henderson appearing in about 15 of those contests, complemented by live batting practice, fielding drills, and anything else required to get the season started on the right foot. All in all, it's about a month and a half road map to the regular season.

The star shortstop didn't get that. In fact, he may have only had about one-third of it between those three spring games, five rehab appearances, and missed time in Sarasota. So it's no wonder the back-to-back top-10 MVP finisher hasn't been playing up to his standard to kick off the season.

That didn't last long.

In his last 10 games, Henderson has a dozen hits, good for a .308 batting average. He was about the only thing working offensively for the O's in Detroit, tallying four hits in the three contests. And in his last five, Henderson's slash line is an impressive .389/.421/.611/1.032. It's no wonder the O's took two of three against the Yankees and can do the same against the Royals this afternoon.

In an ever-evolving Orioles lineup, Henderson is one of the few constants. Whether the opposition trots out a right-handed or left-handed starter, the All-Star shortstop is going to be written on the lineup card in pen. He's a table setter, capable of lifting the O's to a much more productive month of May.

He can start by being a catalyst in Sunday's lineup, facing Royals' right-hander Michael Lorenzen. Against righties this season, Henderson is hitting .310 with a .907 OPS. Plus, he's hitting .320 with a .978 OPS at home.

If Baltimore can wrap up this homestand with series victories over the Yankees and Royals, things suddenly feel a lot different, especially as they hit the road to face the struggling Twins and Angels. And if the O's can get back to their winning ways on the back of their 23-year-old superstar shortstop, perhaps Orioles fans can start to feel as if things are back to some semblance of normalcy.

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