TORONTO — Albert Suárez and Cade Povich are 11 years apart in age, but opening day Thursday will hold a special meaning for both Orioles pitchers.

They spent the second half of spring training competing for the No. 5 starter job in the Orioles’ rotation after Grayson Rodriguez was sidelined with a triceps injury. Povich won the battle with a strong Grapefruit League performance, pushing Suárez to the bullpen despite the veteran right-hander emerging as a viable swingman with Baltimore last season. Not that Suárez has any hard feelings about the way things shook out.

“I was happy because this was the first time I made a team out of camp. I was happy regardless,” Suárez said ahead of the Orioles’ on-field workout Wednesday. “I’m happy to be able to make the team and then always ready to help the team in any situation. So, for me, it doesn’t matter if I’m starting in the bullpen. I’m focused on helping the team.”

Suárez and Povich both learned this week they would be making the first opening day rosters of their respective MLB careers. Povich is slated to start the Orioles’ home opener Monday against the Boston Red Sox and take part in the first of what he hopes are many opening days to come. Suárez, who hadn’t pitched in the majors since 2017 before the Orioles called him up last year, understands every opportunity he has to play the game might be his last.

He will have to put a rough spring behind him. Suárez allowed 19 earned runs in 21 2/3 innings (7.89 ERA) during Grapefruit League play; he described his spring performance as “up and downs” and said he had to make “a lot of adjustments” throughout the exhibition schedule. Manager Brandon Hyde called Suárez the team’s No. 6 starter early in spring, but Povich overtook him for the job after posting a 3.07 ERA over 14 2/3 frames.

“I think just being able to get to opening day and be in the rotation with this team is an honor in itself,” Povich said Monday. “And then being able to start our first home opener as well is truly another honor. I’m super excited.”

While Suárez and Povich are set, the Orioles have yet to make the final call on a couple of roster spots with first pitch for Thursday’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays mere hours away.

Reliever Bryan Baker had a locker in the Orioles’ clubhouse at the Rogers Centre and took part in Wednesday’s workout while Matt Bowman, who the Orioles added to their 40-man roster Sunday, wasn’t in attendance. The two right-handers are the final candidates for the spot left open by Andrew Kittredge, who underwent knee surgery during camp.

Infielder Livan Soto also had a locker in the Orioles’ clubhouse and participated in the workout. He’s expected to nab a bench spot should Jorge Mateo (elbow surgery) not be ready to return. Mateo and shortstop Gunnar Henderson, already placed on the injured list with a right intercostal strain, have spent this week working out at the club’s spring training complex.

Neither Baker nor Soto had been informed that they made the opening day roster as of Wednesday afternoon.

Around the horn

The San Diego Padres returned right-handed pitching prospect Juan Nuñez to the Orioles on Tuesday after the Rule 5 draft pick failed to crack their opening day roster. Nuñez, 24, never pitched above High-A and injuries limited him to 29 1/3 innings last season. He cleared waivers and the Orioles assigned him to minor league camp.

Rodriguez said on the “Foul Territory” podcast Tuesday that his injury was diagnosed as triceps tendinitis, something he’s dealt with for the past three to four years. Rodriguez, who did some light throwing from 90 feet at Nationals Park on Monday, added that he will throw a bullpen session this week as he restarts his buildup process for the season. Rodriguez declined to speak in the clubhouse Wednesday.

Baltimore’s Triple-A affiliate Norfolk Tides announced their break camp roster for the 2025 season Wednesday. In addition to carrying top prospects Samuel Basallo and Coby Mayo, the Tides are also rostering nine new players this year including right-hander Cameron Weston (No. 13 on Baseball America’s top 30 rankings for Baltimore) and spring training standout Vimael Machín.

Catcher David Bañuelos made the trip to Toronto ahead of opening day Thursday as a member of the Orioles’ taxi squad, a role he held for much of last season. Bañuelos, 28, appeared in just 23 games between Norfolk and Baltimore in 2024 while providing the Orioles with an emergency bench option who could join the active roster whenever needed.

Forbes released its annual MLB team valuations Wednesday and pegged the Orioles at $1.9 billion, a total up 10% over last year that ranked 18th in the sport. The club’s operating income of $65 million was also baseball’s third highest overall. Owner David Rubenstein purchased a majority stake in the Orioles from the Angelos family at a $1.725 billion valuation last year.

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