No Gunnar Henderson for Orioles on Thursday, but he’s likely to return Friday at Kansas City
BALTIMORE (AP) – Star shortstop Gunnar Henderson is expected to return to the Orioles on Friday at Kansas City after missing the start of the season with a right intercostal strain.
Manager Brandon Hyde said Henderson is “probable” for the series opener against the Royals. He was not activated for Thursday’s home game against Boston.
Henderson hit .281 with 37 home runs, 92 RBIs and 21 stolen bases in 2024, finishing fourth in the American League MVP race.
Baltimore’s offense has remained explosive without him, scoring at least eight runs in four of the team’s first six games, although the Orioles were shut out by Boston on Wednesday night.
Baltimore’s offense has remained explosive without him, scoring at least eight runs in four of the team’s first six games, although the Orioles were shut out by Boston on Wednesday night.
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.”
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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.”
Padres extend historic start to ’25, sweep Guards for perfect 7-0 record
SAN DIEGO — Off to the best start in franchise history, the Padres finalized a nine-year contract extension with Jackson Merrill on Wednesday morning. Before they even took the field, it was a storybook opening homestand.
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They made sure it was a perfect one.
With their 5-2 victory over the Guardians at Petco Park, the Padres improved to 7-0 for the first time in franchise history — another complete team victory in a homestand full of them.
“It’s just been great baseball all the way around,” said Fernando Tatis Jr., who had two more hits and a steal of home. “We have a great ballclub over here, and we came out of the gate on the right foot.”
In the process, the Padres kept the rival Dodgers close after L.A. started 8-0 following a walk-off win over the Braves on Wednesday. It’s just the fifth time in history two teams have started the same season with seven straight victories. And, since divisional play began in 1969, the first time they’ve come from the same division.
