SARASOTA, Fla. -- What type of player did the Orioles acquire when they brought in Blaze Alexander in a trade with the D-backs on Feb. 5? Allow the 26-year-old utility man to tell you himself.
"A super-athlete," Alexander said. "A guy who can be versatile, can play everywhere, just go out there and make it happen. I’m a gamer."
Those are the exact reasons Baltimore targeted Alexander, who reported to O's camp over the weekend and participated in his first drills during Monday's first full-squad workout at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. It didn't take long for the Cape Coral, Fla., native to feel back at home on the West Coast of Florida, either, as he fit in seamlessly with his new Orioles teammates in the clubhouse and on the backfields.
Alexander wasn't expecting to be dealt by the D-backs. In fact, he was en route to the team's facilities at Salt River Fields in Scottsdale, Ariz., when he found out he was on the move for the first time in his professional career.
After getting taken by Arizona in the 11th round of the 2018 MLB Draft -- and then playing his first two big league seasons for the club in '24 and '25 -- Alexander was sent to Baltimore in exchange for right-handed reliever Kade Strowd and a pair of Minor League players (righty Wellington Aracena and infielder José Mejía).
"Sometimes, in the offseason, you wonder if your name’s being thrown out there and stuff. To be traded for three guys, it means they value you and they wanted me, needed me," Alexander said. "I couldn’t be more excited to come here, represent Baltimore and be an Oriole. I’ve heard really good things about the ballclub. The first couple days here, guys have been really nice, really good people, and that’s all I’ve been hearing."
The Orioles plan to use Alexander all over the diamond, as he can play second base, third, shortstop and all three outfield spots. So he can fill in anywhere to give a starter a day off.
Initially, Alexander could play a lot of second, as Jackson Holliday will be starting the season on the injured list after undergoing surgery to remove the broken hamate bone in his right hand.
It doesn't matter to Alexander where he lines up. He's eager to be here, and the constant smile on his face and the excitement in his tone proved it.
"I’m here to get to the playoffs and help win a World Series championship," Alexander said, "which I think we’re fully capable of doing."
Big step for Eflin
Zach Eflin faced hitters during live batting practice on Monday afternoon, marking the first time the 31-year-old right-hander had done so since undergoing back surgery last August. Eflin faced four hitters and threw about 20 pitches, beginning the session by getting Leody Taveras to strike out swinging.
"I’m thrilled with where I’m at. My main goal was to go in there, feel healthy and get off the field. That’s what I did," Eflin said. "Felt awesome. I felt really, really good. Really, really encouraged."
Since re-signing with Baltimore on Dec. 28, Eflin has stated his intentions of being ready to go by Opening Day. President of baseball operations Mike Elias said on the first day of Spring Training that Eflin would be a full participant in camp and on schedule, and that continues to be the case with Monday's live BP work.
Eflin was the Orioles' Opening Day starter in 2025, but the rotation picture is much more crowded this spring. In fact, if he's healthy and ready to go for the '26 opener, he'll be among six starters for only five spots (unless the team decides to go with a six-man rotation, which hasn't been ruled out).
Ownership visit
Orioles control owner David Rubenstein and minority owners Mike Arougheti and Mitch Goldstein were at camp on Monday, with the three being among those to speak during a team meeting in the clubhouse ahead of the first full-squad workout. Rubenstein, Arougheti and Goldstein all watched drills and live batting practice later in the day.
Manager Craig Albernaz, who also spoke to the O's players, enjoyed having the owners in Sarasota.
"The biggest thing that always stands out in those meetings, especially the one today, is hopefully the players should feel the support that they have from the organization," Albernaz said. "There’s a lot of people in that room, and they should feel that the organization is pulling for them and not working against them. That’s the biggest thing that I wanted to convey to the guys, is how much support they have for their careers and what’s going to happen this season."