BALTIMORE -- As the Orioles arrive at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City on Friday afternoon, they¡¯re expected to be joined by the two-time reigning Most Valuable Oriole winner -- star shortstop Gunnar Henderson.
On Thursday, manager Brandon Hyde said Henderson is ¡°probable¡± to make his 2025 debut on Friday, when the O¡¯s open a three-game series against the Royals. The 23-year-old missed the first seven games of the season due to a right intercostal strain that resulted in his first stint on the injured list during his four-year MLB career.
¡°This is a scheduled off-day/travel day for him,¡± Hyde said. ¡°But he should be in there tomorrow.¡±
After playing only three Grapefruit League games during Spring Training between Feb. 22-27, Henderson started a rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk last Friday. He made five starts for the Tides -- four at shortstop and one at designated hitter -- and went 5-for-19 (.263) with two home runs, four RBIs and two runs scored.
It was the first game action for Henderson since he sustained the injury on a jumping play at short during the first inning of a Feb. 27 exhibition contest vs. the Blue Jays.
Henderson should provide an immediate boost to Baltimore¡¯s lineup. The 2023 American League Rookie of the Year had a tremendous ¡®24 season, becoming a first-time All-Star and finishing fourth in AL MVP voting after hitting .281 with 31 doubles, seven triples, 37 homers and 92 RBIs in a team-high 159 games.
¡°I think everybody¡¯s looking forward to having Gunnar back on the team,¡± Hyde said. ¡°The rehab went really, really well. I talked to him a couple days ago, [he] feels great swinging the bat. The timing came, especially the last few days. He just had to get out there and get some reps defensively and get some games in, and it all went well.¡±