New O's arrivals finding familiarity within clubhouse

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Two new faces arrived in the Orioles’ clubhouse at the Ed Smith Stadium complex on Thursday morning. They were more familiar to some than others.

Right-hander Julio Teheran and infielder Kolten Wong each signed Minor League deals with Baltimore on Wednesday -- both receiving invites to big league camp -- and reported a day later. They’re both familiar with new O’s ace Corbin Burnes, who was teammates with Wong (2021 and ‘22) and Teheran (‘23) in Milwaukee.

Teheran, who spent the first nine years of his big league career in Atlanta, also reunited with Orioles bench coach Fredi González, who managed Teheran with the Braves from 2011-16, and closer Craig Kimbrel, who played with Teheran from 2011-14.

When Teheran and Kimbrel reconnected Wednesday night, they couldn’t believe 10 years had passed since their last game as teammates.

“We looked at each other like, ‘We’re getting old,’” a smiling Teheran said.

Teheran and Wong are each 33 years old, and together, they have a combined 23 years of big league experience. But they’re both confident they can still be quality MLB players at this point in their careers, and have skills they could bring to the Orioles in 2024.

Teheran proved that in 2023, when he returned to the Majors after spending all of ‘22 in independent leagues. A two-time All-Star while with the Braves, Teheran had disappointing stints with the Angels (a 10.05 ERA in 10 games in ‘20) and the Tigers (only one start due to a right shoulder injury).

Last year, Teheran became a solid member of the Brewers’ pitching staff, recording a 4.40 ERA in 14 games (11 starts).

“I’ve got some of the guys, the hitters, they tell me that I look like a new pitcher,” Teheran said. “For me, it was like, ‘OK, that was my goal. To come back and look like a new, different guy.’ Especially after throwing a long time in the league, they get to know everything that you do.”

Teheran revamped his arsenal, introducing a cutter that he threw nearly as often (310 times) as his traditional sinker (418).

Now preparing to work with Baltimore’s pitching coaches, Teheran could prove that he’s worthy of a spot on the 26-man Opening Day roster. He’s being stretched out as a starter, but it seems more likely he could carve out a role as a long reliever, which he would be open to.

“To be honest, I’m at this point in my career that I don’t really complain about anything, and I know when some team needs you to do it, you’ve got to be able to do it,” Teheran said. “That’s what my mentality is right now.”

As for Wong, he’s hopeful he can force his way into the Orioles’ crowded infield picture.

Baltimore is hoping to have a left-handed hitter who can play second base on its roster, and right now, three players in big league camp fit that mold -- Jackson Holliday (MLB Pipeline’s No. 1 overall prospect), utility man Nick Maton and Wong.

“I’m definitely a guy that everybody knows my game -- I’m not flashy, but I get the job done,” Wong said.

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Although Wong hasn’t put up huge offensive numbers in his big league career (a .256/.330/.390 slash line over 1,189 games), he was a National League Silver Slugger finalist in 2022, when he had 24 doubles, 15 homers and a .769 OPS in 134 games for Milwaukee. He’s also a two-time Gold Glover, winning the award while in St. Louis in both ‘19 and ‘20.

In 2023, Wong had a tough showing with the Mariners, slashing .165/.241/.227 over 67 games, which led to him getting designated for assignment for the first time in his career. But he closed out the regular season with a strong 20-game stint for the Dodgers, going 9-for-30 (.300) with two homers and an .853 OPS.

“That was the first time for me going down the DFA route and whatnot,” Wong said. “So I just learned a lot about that and took it to the offseason. It kind of gave me a little extra fuel to train harder and do the things I’ve got to do to be ready.”

Wong attributed his better offensive showing in Los Angeles to swing posture, as he tweaked some of his mechanics in the batter’s box. He’s confident that can lead to a strong showing this year, as he looks to earn a spot on the Orioles’ roster.

“The ability to come in and try and earn a job, that’s kind of all you can ask for in this situation,” Wong said. “So I’m excited. Obviously, talking with the guys and trying to figure out the situation, it seems like a good fit."