Rays Spring Training Preview: Westburg Leads Early Buzz

Spring Training 2026 kicked off with a rush of activity—five exhibition games, and a Yankees vs. Orioles matchup to get things started. The schedule also brings in the Royals, Rangers, Cubs, White Sox, Diamondbacks, Rockies, Padres, and Mariners.

The Grapefruit League’s already alive with early debuts and a scatter of college exhibitions. Teams are starting to sort their rosters and get a first look at their depth for the season.

Trevor Rogers, Jameson Taillon, and Stephen Kolek are set to make their 2026 debuts. There’s a sense that this spring could reveal a few breakout arms.

Opening-day vibes, debuts, and college exhibitions

The day featured a mix of seasoned veterans and up-and-comers taking their first swings (and throws) in 2026. Trevor Rogers, Jameson Taillon, and Stephen Kolek are all set to show if they’re ready for a full season.

The Grapefruit League tossed in some exhibition games with the Red Sox and Twins facing off against college teams. It’s a chance for clubs to size up their depth early, even if the stakes are low.

• Rogers, Taillon, Kolek want to grab early-season innings and lock down rotation spots.
• Grapefruit League games against college opponents give teams a chill way to check out guys on the bubble between the minors and majors.

Injury updates and the early camp storyline

Two big injury stories popped up on day one, and they might shake up roster battles in the weeks ahead. Teams are glued to every update—those medical notes can really shift the depth chart.

Westburg’s camp timeline: oblique strain to elbow concerns

The Orioles’ camp is all about Jordan Westburg right now. He made the All-Star team in 2024 and has a .265/.312/.470 slash over the last two years, but he’s only played 192 games lately because of injuries.

He started this camp out with an oblique strain, and now scans suggest there’s an elbow issue. That’s led to more tests. Orioles president of baseball ops Mike Elias plans to update the media soon on Westburg’s status, and honestly, this could totally shift the infield picture.

If Westburg misses more time than expected, Coby Mayo might get a shot at third base. That could speed up Mayo’s development and put the Orioles’ infield depth to the test.

Uceta’s shoulder concern could shift Rays’ bullpen plans

The Tampa Bay Rays have their own headache: Edwin Uceta is dealing with a cranky right shoulder and is heading for imaging. Uceta posted a 2.98 ERA (and matching FIP) over 100 appearances in the past two years, and he was in the running for the closer job this spring.

If tests show something serious, the Rays may have to lean on Griffin Jax and Garrett Cleavinger for late-inning work. Cleavinger’s trade value could shift, too, if Uceta’s shoulder doesn’t bounce back, which might change Tampa Bay’s bullpen plans.

Impact on roster construction and potential moves

These early injuries and debuts are already shaping how teams think about their opening-day rosters. There’s a lot to watch as spring training keeps rolling.

Depth implications and strategic opportunities

• If Westburg misses significant time, Coby Mayo might get more reps at third base. That could speed up his growth and maybe even change how the Orioles view that spot long-term.
• If Uceta’s shoulder lingers, the Rays will probably ask Jax and Cleavinger to handle more tough innings. It’s a real test for both their readiness and the bullpen’s depth.
• Cleavinger’s trade value could shift depending on Uceta’s timeline. That might push Tampa Bay to rethink their bullpen moves as the deadline creeps up.

Spring Training always sets the stage for regular season drama. The 2026 Grapefruit League is already giving us a peek at how teams juggle injuries, try out young players, and figure out their rosters. Who knows what twists are coming as Westburg’s and Uceta’s situations develop? Fans should probably brace for more updates and roster shakeups as things play out.

 
Here is the source article for this story: The Opener: Spring Training, Westburg, Rays