Alexander is likely to be the Orioles' Opening Day second baseman in place of the injured Jackson Holliday (hand), Brendan Mortensen of MASNSports.com reports.

Holliday will begin the season on the injured list following hamate surgery, though his absence could be relatively brief. Jordan Westburg (elbow) had been under consideration for a move from third base to second base, but he's now shelved himself for at least the first month of the season. Acquired from the Diamondbacks via trade earlier this month, Alexander slashed .230/.323/.383 with seven homers and four steals over 74 games in 2025.

Mayo could be the Orioles' Opening Day third baseman following an injury to Jordan Westburg (elbow), Brendan Mortensen of MASNSports.com reports.

Westburg is set to miss at least the first month of the season due to a partially torn UCL in his right elbow. Mayo was primarily a third baseman in the minors before the Orioles had him focus mostly on first base last season. However, there is a clear need at the hot corner now, so the 24-year-old is in line to return to his old position. Mayo has mostly struggled at the big-league level, but the former top prospect showed signs of life last September, slashing .301/.393/.548 with five homers.

Gillies will be sidelined for at least six weeks with a quad injury, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

Gillies had been in camp as a non-roster invitee and will now get a late start to the minor-league season. The 6-foot-8 right-hander posted a 2.68 ERA and 51:13 K:BB over 53.2 frames between Double-A Chesapeake and Triple-A Norfolk in 2025.

Sweeney will have his throwing program paused due to a right shoulder strain, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

It's unclear when Sweeney might be ready to throw again, much less play in games. The 25-year-old was already lower down in the pecking order at shortstop for the Tigers, and this setback won't help his chances at earning a spot on the Opening Day roster.

Westburg will be sidelined at least through the end of April due to a partially torn UCL in his right elbow, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Westburg will not undergo surgery and will instead treat the injury with a platelet-rich plasma injection and rest. When he does return, he could do so as a designated hitter initially. Westburg entered Orioles camp with an oblique strain, but that injury should heal long before the elbow issue. While the infielder is shelved, the Orioles could turn to Coby Mayo or Blaze Alexander to cover third base. Alexander is also in the mix for reps at second base in place of the injured Jackson Holliday (hand).

Jones (elbow) will throw a live batting practice session Friday, Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

It'll be the first time Jones has faced hitters since he underwent a UCL reconstruction on his right elbow last May. The young right-hander has already been placed on the 60-day injured list, so he will not be eligible for his season debut until late May. A return by that time would be a best-case scenario, but Jones' rehab has gone well to this point.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Friday that Mayer will have to earn his way onto the Opening Day roster, Christopher Smith of MassLive.com reports.

Mayer remains a likely bet to be in Boston's lineup on Opening Day in Cincinnati, but a job will not be handed to him, with Cora noting the young infielder must improve his offense after posting a 80 wRC+ in the majors last season. What position Mayer is likely to fill hasn't been determined yet. The Red Sox had previously indicated a desire to put him at third base, but early on in camp Mayer has mostly played second base, with Caleb Durbin handling the hot corner.

The Royals signed Diaz to a minor-league contract Friday that includes an invitation to spring training.

Diaz is expected to report to Royals camp next week. The 35-year-old appeared in 106 regular-season contests for the Padres last season, slashing .204/.270/.337 with nine long balls. Unless the Royals carry three catchers on their Opening Day roster, Diaz is likely ticketed for Triple-A Omaha.

Cole (elbow) will throw a live batting practice session Friday, Brendan Kuty of The Athletic reports.

It will be Cole's first time facing hitters since last March's Tommy John surgery with an internal brace. The veteran hurler's rehab has gone swimmingly to this point, and he will continue to check off boxes as he eyes a season debut in late May or early June.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora on Thursday mentioned Romero as one of the players that has stood out in camp thus far, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports. Most notable to the manager was that Romero used the offseason to bulk up, per Rob Bradford of WEEI.com.

"You see the physicality of Romero," Cora said. "He's strong, stronger than last year. From me, I want to see him at second base and see how it plays out. He did an amazing job (adding strength) in the offseason." Romero had a fully healthy season in 2025, his first since being selected 24th overall in 2022. The 22-year-old infielder posted a .751 OPS with 17 home runs -- third most in the system -- over 111 games between stops at Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester while seeing time at second base, shortstop and third base. Second base was an unsettled spot for Boston last season, but either Marcelo Mayer or Caleb Durbin should handle those chores in 2026, with the other at third base. Romero, who currently does not have a spot on the 40-man roster, might put himself in contention for a call-up should the Red Sox have a need for an infielder.