FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Ever wonder what it’s like to suit up with Trey Mancini? Now that he is back on the field after battling Stage 3 colon cancer, the Orioles are celebrating by giving you that chance … sort of.
Mancini offered an illuminating peek behind the curtain recently, wearing a microphone during spring workouts on the back fields at the club’s Ed Smith Stadium complex. The resulting eight-minute video posted to the club’s Twitter feed features Mancini’s joy upon returning to the game he loves, football commentary, a “Curb Your Enthusiasm” reference (yes) and much more.
But don’t just take our word for it. Watch (and listen) for yourself:
From the game
Dean Kremer made his shaky spring debut a distant memory by twirling three scoreless innings in Tuesday’s 1-0 loss to the Twins at Hammond Stadium. Throwing predominately fastballs, Kremer held Minnesota to two baserunners and struck out three batters. The 25-year-old righty is looking to lock up a rotation job after going 1-1 with 4.82 ERA in four starts as a rookie down the stretch last season.
“The life on my fastball was the same as last time, but mentally was the difference-maker,” Kremer said. “I was definitely more locked in today and being really intentional with every pitch, as opposed to last time when I dug myself into a hole and couldn’t get out.”
Rookie left-hander Bruce Zimmermann then continued his dark-horse rotation candidacy, allowing only one baserunner over three no-hit innings behind Kremer. It was the second strong performance in as many outings for Zimmermann this spring; he has yet to allow a run across five Grapefruit League innings.
“All my springs have always been about coming in and being ready to go, because I’m trying to make the team,” Zimmermann said after his debut. “I don’t really play into the paradigm of easing into where I’m supposed to be at. I come in hoping my stuff is pretty close to where I need it to be.”
Ryan Mountcastle earned positive reviews for his defensive play in left field down the stretch last year, surprising some given his checkered reputation as a fielder in the Minors. He appears to be growing more comfortable out there. Mountcastle helped Zimmermann by providing Tuesday’s defensive highlight, battling angry winds to take at least an extra-base hit away from Mitch Garver with a catch at the left-field wall.
From the trainer’s room
• Chris Davis will see a specialist for the sore back that has sidelined him for most of Grapefruit League play, manager Brandon Hyde said. There is no timetable for his return. Suffered in the O’s spring opener, the issue puts Davis in jeopardy of starting the season on the injured list. He missed all but 16 games in 2020 due to knee problems.
• The prognosis is better for shortstop Richie Martin, who has healed enough from right hamate surgery to return to big league camp this week. Martin could make his spring debut as early as this weekend, Hyde said. The 26-year-old infielder broke his right hamate bone this winter after missing all of 2020 with a broken left wrist.
No ‘off’ days
The Orioles kept rotation candidate Wade LeBlanc on track with a three-inning simulated game Monday, despite the club’s first off-day of the spring. Right-hander Ashton Goudeau also completed three innings in the game, per Hyde.
Up next
Rotation candidate Keegan Akin will make his first Grapefruit League start when the Orioles return home to face the Blue Jays on Wednesday at Ed Smith Stadium. Veteran righty Ross Stripling will start for Toronto, with first pitch set for 1:05 p.m. ET.