TAMPA, Fla. — Orioles star shortstop Gunnar Henderson began a hitting progression on March 11 and will begin defensive work on March 12, manager Brandon Hyde announced ahead of the Orioles’ game against the Yankees in Tampa.
Henderson was removed from the Orioles’ game against the Blue Jays on Feb. 27 with discomfort in his lower right side after making a leaping catch at shortstop in the first inning. The injury was later diagnosed as a mild right intercostal strain.
Henderson did some light work in the batting cage on March 11.
“Today was Day 1 of his hitting progression,” Hyde said. “I just talked to our medical people and that went extremely well. A little bit more each day, and tomorrow is a big day from a ground ball standpoint.”
“He hasn’t been on the field doing any sort of defensive work, so tomorrow’s the first day of that,” Hyde added.
Hyde said several days ago that the Orioles are optimistic Henderson can break camp with the club, but even if that is the case, the manager might have to be careful early on with his star shortstop. The Orioles begin the season with five straight days of games, including four on artificial turf in Toronto.
“We’re looking at everything right now,” Hyde said before the Orioles’ game against the Pirates on March 10.
With Henderson and Jorge Mateo (left elbow) out, Hyde has started Jackson Holliday, Luis Vazquez and Liván Soto at shortstop in recent spring training games. Mateo took batting practice on the field on March 11 and had a full day defensively on March 10, according to Hyde.
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