Terrible spring debuts for pair of Orioles bullpen arms an eerie reminder of 2024

As spring training games really start to get underway, it's important to note that most of these results really don't matter. Guys are out there working on specific things, developing new pitches, tweaking their swings in live action, and so on. So when you watch a spring game or look at a box score afterward, you've got to know in the back of your mind that we shouldn't be taking too much from this in the early going.

But sometimes, you just can't help but think the worst after a poor performance. The Orioles had a couple of those on Tuesday, specifically from relievers Seranthony Dominguez and Gregory Soto. In a vacuum, a bad inning here or there isn't a big deal. And even in this case, it was the spring debut for both of these guys. It's not the end of the world that they put up some stinkers.

However, it's tough to not think about the Orioles' bullpen collapse in 2024. The group was awful in the second half, putting up a combined 4.90 ERA that was good for 5th worst in the league during that time frame. The 'pen was a big part of why the Orioles struggled to keep pace with the Yankees in the AL East down the stretch and Dominguez and Soto were a big part of that.

Seranthony Dominguez and Gregory Soto crater in spring training debuts with Orioles

With Felix Bautista slated to return to full health in 2025, the bullpen is expected to take a step in the right direction. But this pair of outings from Dominguez and Soto this afternoon didn't exactly inject confidence into the fanbase in the way we hoped to see.

The pair pitched an inning apiece on Tuesday. Dominguez gave up 2 runs on 2 hits and a walk, while Soto allowed another 2 runs on 3 hits. They both looked...well, bad. And unfortunately, that feels about par for the course.

Both Dominguez and Soto came to Baltimore at the trade deadline last year, but neither was particularly inspiring. Dominguez was the Orioles' nominal closer after Craig Kimbrel's flame out but while he saved 10 games, he did so with a 3.97 ERA and a frightening 5.33 FIP. Soto got a bit unlucky, but his stint with Baltimore resulted in a 5.09 ERA in 17.2 innings.

Getting Bautista back will go a long way toward making the bullpen more reliable. And the pair of Andrew Kittredge and Yennier Cano should help keep both Dominguez and Soto out of most high-leverage situations in 2025.

At the end of the day, this one specific spring matchup isn't going to mean much. But it's not a great sign to see these two guys who are supposed to be key pieces in the O's bullpen this year go belly up in their first outings. With any luck, they'll be able to put today behind them and move on. But the Orioles need to be proactive this year. Another bullpen collapse down the stretch will likely be a death blow for a team looking to win a highly competitive division.