The Orioles on Monday announced the schedule for their “Birdland Caravan,” and this year’s multiday tour across Maryland will include some of the ballclub’s biggest stars.
Shortstop Gunnar Henderson, catcher Adley Rutschman, outfielder Colton Cowser and second baseman Jackson Holliday are among the 10 Orioles players who will participate in meet-and-greets with fans during the caravan, which will run from Jan. 30 to Feb. 1.
The tour, which includes 11 total events across three days, will be the fourth iteration after it was first conceived as a replacement for FanFest in 2020. The tour wasn’t held in 2021 or 2022 because of the coronavirus pandemic and the Major League Baseball lockout, respectively.
The tour will begin Jan. 30 with a photo-op at a surprise location in Frederick County from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. The Orioles will reveal the location and the players involved on Jan. 29, and the event is open to all fans.
Later that evening, the Orioles will host a happy hour at Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Halethorpe from 5 to 9 p.m. Holliday, right-hander Chayce McDermott, first baseman Ryan O’Hearn and left-hander Cade Povich will bartend for fans and participate in Q&A sessions. Holliday, who turned 21 in December, will be able to partake in the fun after he was unable to — and instead had his own “Bird Bath Water” — during the Orioles’ clinch celebration in September.
One of the three events on Jan. 31 is a karaoke happy hour at PBR Baltimore from 6 to 9 p.m. All 10 players participating in the caravan will attend: Cowser, Henderson, Holliday, Rutschman, McDermott, O’Hearn, Povich, Ryan Mountcastle, Albert Suárez and Jordan Westburg.
Manager Brandon Hyde will be at two of the six events on Feb. 1 — a bowling event with fans and players at Bowlero Columbia, which is already sold out, and a kids rally at Severn Run High School.
Tickets are required for some events. More information can be found on the Orioles’ website.
Here’s a schedule of the tour and who will be there:
Thursday, Jan. 30
3:30-4:30 p.m.: Pop Up Photo Op in Frederick County (open to public) — players TBD
5-9 p.m.: Happy Hour at Guinness Open Gate Brewery (tickets required) — Holliday, McDermott, O’Hearn, Povich
Friday, Jan. 31
Noon-1 p.m. Pop Up Photo Op in Harford County (open to public) — players TBD
5-7 p.m.: The Bird and Camden Franks “Meat” and Greet in Westminster (open to public) — no players
6-9 p.m.: Karaoke Happy Hour at PBR Baltimore (tickets required) — Cowser, Henderson, Holliday, McDermott, Mountcastle, O’Hearn, Povich, Rutschman, Suárez, Westburg
Saturday, Feb. 1
10 a.m.-noon: Bowling Experience at Bowlero Columbia (tickets required) — Cowser, Henderson, O’Hearn, Rutschman, Hyde
11 a.m.-noon: Pop Up Photo Op in Montgomery County (open to public) — players TBD
2-3 p.m.: Kids Rally in Severn (tickets required) — Cowser, Henderson, O’Hearn, Rutschman, Hyde
5-7 p.m.: The Bird & Mr. Splash Meet & Greet in Pasadena (open to public) — no players
5-7 p.m.: Rip & Play Event at Bel Air Sports Cards (tickets required) — Holliday, McDermott, Povich
5:30-7:30 p.m.: Orioles Play Ball Rookie Clinic in Ellicott City (tickets required) — Cowser, Rutschman
Orioles announce Kittredge deal
Reliever Andrew Kittredge passed his physical exam and the Orioles made official his one-year deal with a club option for 2026 on Monday evening. Kittredge will earn a $9 million salary next season and his $9 million option will carry a $1 million buyout, a source with direct knowledge of the contract confirmed to The Baltimore Sun.
In a corresponding transaction, the Orioles designated catcher Blake Hunt for assignment.
The Orioles’ 40-man roster remained full as a result of the moves.
Baltimore Sun reporter Matt Weyrich contributed to this article. Have a news tip? Contact Jacob Calvin Meyer at jameyer@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/JCalvinMeyer.