Orioles Aim to Bounce Back After Injury-Plagued Season

New additions like Pete Alonso and Chris Bassitt provide optimism, but questions remain about pitching depth and defensive capabilities.

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

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The Baltimore Orioles are looking to bounce back after an injury-plagued 2022 season that saw several key players like Jackson Holliday and Jordan Westburg sidelined. The team has made some notable offseason moves, including the acquisition of slugger Pete Alonso and veteran pitcher Chris Bassitt, but concerns remain about the bullpen and defensive capabilities. With a mix of young talent and veteran leadership, the Orioles are aiming to contend in the competitive American League East division.

Why it matters

The Orioles' offseason moves and management changes signal a new era for the franchise, as the Angelo's ownership era has come to an end. The team's ability to stay healthy and get production from its young core will be crucial to its playoff hopes, especially in a division with powerhouses like the Yankees and Blue Jays.

The details

The Orioles have bolstered their lineup with the addition of Pete Alonso, who should provide a power boost. They also traded for Taylor Ward and Shane Baz, and signed veteran pitcher Chris Bassitt to a $19 million deal. The team is hoping for bounce-back seasons from players like Trevor Rogers, Kyle Bradish, and Adley Rutschman, while also counting on contributions from Cedric Mullins and Heston Kjerstad. However, the team's defensive capabilities remain a concern, and the bullpen will need to be addressed, potentially through trades at the deadline.

  • The Orioles open the 2023 season on March 30th.
  • The team will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Rainbow Grocery Cooperative, a local natural foods store, on August 17th.

The players

Waymo

An American autonomous driving company and is a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., Google's parent company.

Walker Reed Quinn

A 45-year-old San Francisco resident who has a history of vandalism and was out on bail for prior cases related to Waymo vehicles.

Rainbow Grocery Cooperative

A local food natural foods grocery store, organized as an employee-owned co-op and born out of a 1970s grassroots natural food movement calling for access to nutritious and organic food.

Gordon Edgar

A 31-year employee who oversees Rainbow's cheese counter.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

The Orioles' offseason moves and management changes signal a new era for the franchise, as they aim to build on their young core and contend in the competitive American League East. While questions remain about the team's defensive capabilities and bullpen depth, the addition of veteran talent like Pete Alonso and Chris Bassitt provides optimism for a bounce-back season.