SARASOTA, Fla. — The 2025 Baltimore Orioles showcased a promising roster filled with position-player talent, but potential issues in their pitching lineup were evident this Tuesday.
During the afternoon, 41-year-old Charlie Morton, the second-oldest active player in MLB, was pulled from his scheduled Grapefruit League start against the Toronto Blue Jays without immediate explanation, which sparked worries regarding the Orioles’ rotation. Shortly after, top prospect Coby Mayo expressed his frustration over being sent to minor league camp.
However, Morton was not injured; the Orioles opted for him to pitch in a simulated setting rather than against a divisional rival. As for Mayo, his performance, including 34 home runs and a .919 OPS in Triple-A, did not diminish Baltimore’s view of him but rather highlighted a lack of space on the major league roster.
According to Orioles manager Brandon Hyde, “That’s what happens when you have good teams.” They have high hopes for the upcoming season, but the critical question remains: to what extent will they succeed?
This season’s squad, driven by an impressive young core, is expected to maintain its offensive power even after losing Anthony Santander and his 44 home runs to the Blue Jays in the offseason. Nonetheless, their starting rotation is forecasted to be the weakest among a fiercely competitive American League East, with all five teams anticipated to achieve at least 80 wins.
Having reached the playoffs for the past two years, the Orioles will need their pitching lineup to perform effectively if they wish to make another postseason appearance and secure a playoff win, particularly with no clear ace on their roster.
The loss of last year’s reliable starter, Corbin Burnes, to free agency adds further pressure on their pitching staff. The Orioles have sought to fill this gap by signing veterans Morton and Tomoyuki Sugano, while addressing outfield concerns through the acquisition of Tyler O’Neill.
