Trevor Rogers Looks to Build on Breakout Year as Orioles Gear Up for 2026
SARASOTA - For Trevor Rogers, Saturday felt like a full-circle moment. The last time he pitched at Ed Smith Stadium, he was still a Marlins prospect back in 2019. Now, seven years later and fully healthy, the 28-year-old lefty is back in Sarasota - this time as a key piece of the Baltimore Orioles’ rotation.
And if his first live batting practice of the spring is any indication, Rogers is picking up right where he left off.
Facing 10 hitters, Rogers struck out seven. His stuff was sharp, his command was crisp, and his confidence? Understandably high.
“My body was in a really good spot,” Rogers said. “The command, probably better than I was thinking… I was happy with the way the ball was moving today.”
This is exactly the kind of start the Orioles were hoping for after Rogers missed last spring with a knee injury. Acquired at the 2024 trade deadline, he didn’t join the Orioles’ rotation until mid-June - but once he did, he made an immediate impact. So much so that by season’s end, he was named the Most Valuable Oriole.
And the numbers back it up: Rogers went 9-3 with a 1.81 ERA, allowing just 5.7 hits per nine innings and surrendering only six home runs across 109 2/3 innings. That’s elite-level production from a pitcher who didn’t throw a pitch until mid-June.
Now, the focus is on turning that strong half-season into a full year of dominance.
“It would be easy to fall into that pattern this year just with the year I had last year,” Rogers said. “It’s not my focus.
I had a really good year. Anything I can do to continue to be consistent for this team and help this team win, I’m willing to do.
I just want to do my job well.”
He’s not just trying to replicate what worked - he’s also fine-tuning the areas that still need polish. That means getting more comfortable out of the stretch and tightening up his sweeper. Rogers is focused on becoming a more complete pitcher, and he’s got the right mindset to do it.
But it’s not just Rogers who’s feeling optimistic. The Orioles, after a rollercoaster 2025 season, look like a very different team heading into 2026.
“This team is so exciting,” Rogers said. “I saw a mock lineup a month-and-a-half ago after we got [Taylor] Ward and [Pete] Alonso - it’s scary.
It’s scary how good this team can be. I’m really fired up for this year.”
It’s hard to blame him. Last season, the Orioles stumbled out of the gate with a 15-28 start, which led to the dismissal of manager Brandon Hyde in mid-May.
Tony Mansolino stepped in as interim manager and steadied the ship, but the early hole proved too deep. Baltimore finished 75-87, last in the AL East, and sold off key pieces at the trade deadline.
“If we just didn’t have that slow start, you’re looking at wild card, division - you never know what can happen,” Rogers said. “I think we’ve learned the start of the season is just as important as any part of the season.
I think it was a good learning experience from this group how hard it is to make the playoffs year-in and year-out. I think we’re going to be a lot better because of it.”
There’s also continuity on the pitching side - something Rogers values. New manager Craig Albernaz chose to retain the club’s trio of pitching coaches: lead coach Drew French, assistant Mitch Plassmeyer, and game planner Ryan Klimek.
“Just to know nothing changes on our side, I was fired up,” Rogers said. “They do such a great job of getting us ready, getting us prepared. That communication that we have and that relationship - I was happy [they] were coming back.”
The Orioles’ rotation is shaping up to be one of the deeper units in the American League. Alongside Rogers, Baltimore has Kyle Bradish, Shane Baz, Dean Kremer, Zach Eflin, and veteran right-hander Chris Bassitt, who signed this offseason and turns 37 later this month.
Rogers sees Bassitt’s presence as a big plus.
“The veteran presence that he can help us with, the experience, the run that he went on in the playoffs last year,” Rogers said. “I think that type of knowledge could really help us. He eats innings and he’s really consistent, so I think he can help this team a lot.
“It makes you feel really good that we just have a lot of options to go to, and it also brings out that competitive spirit. We all want to compete and do well, so we’re all pulling towards the same direction.”
As for a possible contract extension? Rogers is open to it, but there’s been no movement yet.
“If they come up, it’d be great,” he said. “This organization has helped me a lot.
Unfortunately, it’s something out of my control. Hopefully, as the season goes on and maybe this offseason, we’ll have some conversations.
It’s somewhere I want to be. If it happens, it happens.”
Former Orioles Notes:
- Left-hander John Means, recovering from an Achilles tendon tear suffered during offseason training, has signed a two-year minor league deal with the Kansas City Royals.
He isn’t expected to pitch this season.
- Lefty reliever Cionel Pérez has inked a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals.
As spring training ramps up, all eyes will be on Rogers and the revamped Orioles. If Saturday’s outing was any sign, Baltimore might just have its ace - and a serious contender - ready to roll.