The Baltimore Orioles are ready to begin their 2026 Major League Baseball season with a home opener against the Minnesota Twins at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The first pitch is scheduled for 3:05 p.m., while the Opening Day ceremony will begin around 2:30 p.m.
Opening Day always brings excitement for baseball fans in Baltimore, and this year feels especially important. After finishing last in the American League East in 2025, the Orioles are determined to turn things around and return to playoff contention.
The team has made several roster changes during the offseason, added new talent, and welcomed back important players. Fans will also experience several upgrades at Camden Yards as the new season begins.
Opening Day Game Details
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Match | Baltimore Orioles vs Minnesota Twins |
| Date | March 26, 2026 |
| First Pitch | 3:05 p.m. |
| Pregame Ceremony | 2:30 p.m. |
| Stadium | Oriole Park at Camden Yards |
| Broadcast | MASN |
Left-handed pitcher Trevor Rogers will start on Opening Day for Baltimore, while the Twins will send right-hander Joe Ryan to the mound.
Trevor Rogers Gets the Opening Day Start
Trevor Rogers enters the season as the Orioles’ Opening Day starter after a brilliant 2025 campaign. He finished last year with a strong record and impressive pitching numbers that made him one of the most reliable starters on the team.
Trevor Rogers – 2025 Season Snapshot
| Stat | Performance |
|---|---|
| Record | 9–3 |
| ERA | 1.81 |
| Starts | 18 |
| Strikeouts | 103 |
Rogers will lead a rotation that also includes experienced and returning pitchers expected to play major roles this season.
Orioles Make Major Roster Moves for 2026
Baltimore’s front office made several important changes to strengthen the roster before Opening Day. The team added power hitters and experienced pitchers while keeping its young core intact.
Position Player Roster
The Orioles’ Opening Day roster includes 13 pitchers, two catchers, six infielders, and five outfielders.
Catchers
| Player |
|---|
| Adley Rutschman |
| Samuel Basallo |
Infielders
| Player |
|---|
| Blaze Alexander |
| Pete Alonso |
| Gunnar Henderson |
| Jeremiah Jackson |
| Coby Mayo |
| Ryan Mountcastle |
Outfielders
| Player |
|---|
| Dylan Beavers |
| Colton Cowser |
| Tyler O’Neill |
| Leody Taveras |
| Taylor Ward |
Pete Alonso Headlines Orioles Offseason Signings
One of the biggest offseason stories for Baltimore was the signing of slugger Pete Alonso. The power-hitting first baseman joined the Orioles on a five-year deal worth $155 million.
Alonso brings elite home-run power and experience to the lineup. During his previous seven seasons, he became one of baseball’s most feared hitters and built a reputation for producing big offensive numbers.
Pete Alonso Career Highlights
| Category | Numbers |
|---|---|
| Rookie of the Year | 2019 |
| Rookie Home Runs | 53 (record) |
| Career Home Runs with Mets | 264 |
| 2025 Stats | .272 AVG, 38 HR, 126 RBI |
His arrival gives Baltimore a major offensive boost as the team looks to improve its run production.
Orioles Pitching Staff for Opening Day
The Orioles also strengthened their pitching rotation by adding experienced starters and relievers.
Starting Rotation
| Pitcher |
|---|
| Trevor Rogers |
| Kyle Bradish |
| Chris Bassitt |
| Shane Baz |
| Zach Eflin |
Veteran Chris Bassitt brings stability to the rotation after a solid season with Toronto. Shane Baz adds another arm with strong upside, while Kyle Bradish returns after missing significant time due to Tommy John surgery.
Bullpen Pitchers
| Pitcher |
|---|
| Yennier Cano |
| Rico Garcia |
| Ryan Helsley |
| Yaramil Hiraldo |
| Anthony Nunez |
| Tyler Wells |
| Dietrich Enns |
| Grant Wolfram |
Closer Ryan Helsley is expected to lead the bullpen late in games.
Injuries to Start the Season
Baltimore will begin the season without several players due to injuries. While most are expected to return later in the year, their absence could impact the early games.
Orioles Injured List
| Player | Injury |
|---|---|
| Jackson Holliday | Hamate surgery |
| Jordan Westburg | UCL sprain |
| Heston Kjerstad | Hamstring strain |
| Keegan Akin | Groin strain |
| Andrew Kittredge | Shoulder inflammation |
| Felix Bautista | Shoulder surgery |
| Colin Selby | Shoulder inflammation |
Despite these injuries, the team still enters the season with a strong and competitive roster.
Opening Day Ceremony and Fan Experience
Opening Day in Baltimore will feature several special moments for fans attending the game.
New Baltimore Ravens head coach Jesse Minter will take part in the ceremonial activities during the game.
Broadway performer and Baltimore native India Boone will sing the national anthem. During the anthem, a large historic flag will be lowered from the batter’s eye. The flag is a replica of the one that flew over Fort McHenry when Francis Scott Key wrote “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
A memorable highlight will be the ceremonial first pitch thrown by Arthur Green, a 109-year-old Orioles fan who was honored as the Mo Gaba Fan of the Year.
Improvements at Camden Yards for 2026
Fans attending the home opener will notice several upgrades throughout the stadium.
Key Stadium Improvements
| Upgrade | Details |
|---|---|
| New Videoboard | 2.5 times larger than previous board |
| Sound System | 900 new speakers installed |
| Food Service | Five new Just Walk Out food stands |
| Premium Seating | New Truist Club behind home plate |
| Group Area | PureWager Pavilion for private events |
The new videoboard and sound system are designed to enhance the fan experience and improve game presentation inside the ballpark.
Weather Outlook for Opening Day
Weather conditions are expected to be favorable for baseball.
Temperatures should reach the upper 60s to low 70s during the afternoon, with a warm breeze coming from the south. While a brief shower is possible, most forecasts suggest the game should remain dry.
Orioles Looking to Rebuild Momentum in 2026
The Orioles enjoyed postseason appearances in 2023 and 2024 but struggled during the 2025 season, finishing last in their division. The organization made leadership changes and roster improvements to rebuild momentum.
With a new manager, fresh talent, and several experienced players joining the roster, the team hopes to compete strongly in the American League again.
Opening Day represents a new beginning for Baltimore baseball and a chance for the Orioles to start their journey back toward the playoffs.
