SARASOTA, Fla. -- Gunnar Henderson hasn’t played in a Grapefruit League game since Feb. 27, when the Orioles’ star shortstop sustained a mild right intercostal strain. The 23-year-old has slowly returned to baseball activities over the past week.
Does Henderson still believe he can be ready for Opening Day on March 27 in Toronto?
“That’s my plan,” Henderson said on Saturday morning. “That’s what I’m hoping for.”
Henderson began his hitting progression on Tuesday, hitting in the cage at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. He fielded ground balls for the first time since getting hurt on Wednesday. He has continued to do both activities in recent days.
With a strong belief that he can still get back into games before Spring Training concludes on March 23, Henderson is noticing the improvement in his condition as he advances.
“I’m on the right track, progressing,” Henderson said. “It’s getting there. It’s a lot better than what it originally felt like.”
Although Henderson has never gone on the injured list during his three-year MLB career, he has worked through a spring injury in the past.
Last year, Henderson was dealing with left oblique soreness at the start of camp. Then, he played in his first Grapefruit game on March 4 and had plenty of time to ramp up for the beginning of the 2024 season.
This year, Henderson went 1-for-6 over three games before sustaining the injury in an exhibition contest vs. the Blue Jays. He made a jumping catch on a ball off the bat of Bo Bichette and landed a bit awkwardly on his feet as he came down to the ground.
“This one is a little bit unique, in the sense of what I had happen last year. This one is just kind of lingering,” Henderson said. “Body was in a weird, awkward position whenever I caught the ball and then landed on it weird. Didn’t feel great.”
Baltimore’s lineup will be missing an integral piece if Henderson goes on the injured list to open the season. The 2023 American League Rookie of the Year was a first-time All-Star in ‘24, when he hit .281 with 31 doubles, seven triples, 37 home runs, 92 RBIs and an .893 OPS over a team-high 159 games.
Henderson became the everyday shortstop last year -- after previously splitting time between there and third base -- and showed a lot of potential at the position because of his impressive range. He is widely expected to get even better this season.
If Henderson isn’t ready by Opening Day, then Jackson Holliday is expected to shift over from second base to shortstop. Jordan Westburg can also provide depth at the position, while utility infielder Livan Soto is emerging as the front-runner to take Henderson’s spot on the 26-man roster, if necessary.
"We're all hopeful that he'll be ready," manager Brandon Hyde said of Henderson. "It's just going to depend on how many at-bats he can get, how this thing reacts after a game, soreness, all that kind of stuff."