Cashner 'excited' in first spring start

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Andrew Cashner had a hard time containing his excitement when he made his first start of the spring against the Tigers at Ed Smith Stadium on Sunday.

The results were mixed, as Cashner gave up four runs on six hits in three innings. He had three strikeouts, but he also hit a batter in the Orioles' 7-5 win.

"You definitely get excited first time out," Cashner said. "I thought I spun the ball really well. Throwing more sliders for strikes than balls is something I’ve been working on. Changeup had good depth. I just have to get my four-seam out more, get more extension on it."

Cashner had to battle in the first inning. He put the first two men he faced on after hitting JaCoby Jones with a pitch on a 2-1 count and giving up a single to Daniel Woodrow. After retiring Jeimer Candelario on a fly ball, Cashner gave up a three-run homer to infielder Niko Goodrum on a 1-2 pitch.

"I thought it was a good pitch, but I'll look at it on video," Cashner said. "It might have been up too much. It's just something I've got to work on -- getting my fastball over on both sides of the plate."

Cashner settled down in the second inning, retiring the side in order and striking out two. He gave up three consecutive two-out hits in the third inning that produced another run, but was able to get through three innings like he wanted.

After dealing with several injuries in 2018 -- including a neck strain and a knee injury that ended his season in mid-September -- Cashner took special strides to get himself healthy this offseason and improve his chances of staying healthy for 2019.

"I'm just trying to take better care of myself," Cashner said. "My neck has been an issue the last few years, but I did a lot more mobility stuff this offseason. A lot more yoga, a lot more stretching. Just trying to put my body in a better position.

"My knee has been great. Once I got past the end of November, my body felt great and I haven't had any problems so far."

Cashner was also reunited with pitching coach Doug Brocail when he was added to the Orioles' staff in January. Brocail was Cashner’s pitching coach with the Rangers in 2017 when he had a strong bounceback year, going 11-11 with a 3.40 ERA.

The following season, Cashner signed a two-year, $16 million contract with the Orioles, but 2018 did not go well for the right-hander, as he went 4-15 with a 5.29 ERA in 28 starts.

Brocail put Cashner to work when spring started. The goal is to get him to throw more of his secondary pitches for strikes.

"My slider, it's something I've been working on with [Brocail]," Cashner said. "Just staying behind it more and throwing it for strikes more than balls."

Game notes

• Anthony Santander had a big day at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a three-run home run in the fourth inning and two doubles. Santander is now hitting .462 in the spring.

• Ryan Ripken -- son of Orioles legend Cal Ripken Jr. -- entered the game at first base in the seventh inning. He lined out to left field in his only at-bat.