With the Orioles' two-game series in Miami postponed after several Marlins tested positive for COVID-19, the O's will now host the Yankees for their home opener on Wednesday and again on Thursday at Camden Yards, MLB announced on Tuesday. Baltimore had originally been scheduled to host the Marlins on those days, but Miami's season has been suspended through at least Sunday out of what the league called “an abundance of caution” while the Marlins undergo additional testing.

The Yankees had been scheduled to conclude a four-game set against the Phillies -- who played a three-game series against the Marlins over the weekend -- with two games in the Bronx on Wednesday and Thursday. The Phillies-Yankees series was postponed out of an abundance of caution.

The games the Yankees and Orioles will play Wednesday and Thursday were originally scheduled for Aug. 3-4. The league said it would announce additional rescheduling of those dates later this week. The Orioles and Yankees are still scheduled to play Aug. 5 at Camden Yards, which would’ve been the conclusion of a three-game series.

“The health and safety protocols were designed with a challenging circumstance, like the one facing the Marlins, in mind,” MLB’s statement said. “The response outlined in the joint MLB-MLBPA Operations Manual was triggered immediately upon learning of the cluster of positive cases, including contact tracing and the quarantining and testing of all of the identified close contacts. The Marlins’ personnel who tested positive remain in isolation and are receiving care.”

What that means for the Orioles is that they will now open their 2020 home schedule against a familiar foe. The Yankees reportedly left Philadelphia for an on-field workout in Baltimore on Tuesday night, while the Orioles have been back home since Monday night awaiting direction from MLB. The team had flown to Miami on Sunday after taking two of three games from the Red Sox over the weekend, but the club flew back to Baltimore after it became clear that the series in Miami would not happen.

“It’s been an unusual day or two, for sure,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “But we’re looking forward to our home opener.”

How does this affect the Orioles’ pitching plans?
The plan had been to start right-handers Asher Wojciechowski on Monday and Kohl Stewart on Tuesday before each of those games was postponed. Now, it’ll be Wojciechowski on Wednesday against $324 million righty Gerrit Cole for the Yankees, their prized free-agent signing who will be making his second career start in pinstripes. The O's are hopeful that John Means can come off the injured list to start Thursday against J.A. Happ.

What time are the games?
Wednesday's game is scheduled for first pitch at 7:35 p.m. ET, while Thursday's will take place at 7:05 p.m. ET.

Where can I watch/listen?
Wednesday's games will air on MASN and across the 44-station Orioles Radio Network, including flagship 105.7 The Fan. MASN’s Wednesday broadcast will begin with a 30-minute O’s Xtra pregame show hosted by Brett Hollander and Mike Bordick live at Oriole Park. All of the home opener action will be called by Scott Garceau and Ben McDonald on MASN, while Geoff Arnold and Dave Johnson handle the call for the Orioles Radio Network. Thursday's game will be broadcast on MASN 2. The games can also be seen live on MLB.TV.

What are some of the club’s home opener plans?
The Orioles’ opening ceremonies will be centered around those who are working on the front lines to take on the COVID-19 crisis, as well as activists who are fighting the battle against racial injustice. Prior to Wednesday’s game, the Orioles will recognize “The F16HTers” as the next group of Birdland Community Hero Award winners in honor of Trey Mancini’s fight against colorectal cancer. They will also make a $5,000 donation to Thread in conjunction with the recognition.

The Orioles will also observe a moment of silence before first pitch in honor of those lost during the COVID-19 pandemic and to the victims of racial injustice, as well as the members of the Orioles family who passed away over the past year.

Ebban and Ephraim Dorsey, siblings and Baltimore School for the Arts students, will perform a jazz instrumental version of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and opera singer Rolando Sanz will perform “God Bless America” during the seventh-inning stretch. Both will be pre-recorded.