Gunnar Henderson Eyes MLB Opening Day Return for Orioles vs. Blue Jays amid Rib Injury

Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson is eyeing an Opening Day return after suffering a strained intercostal muscle at the end of February, per Field Level Media.

"That's my plan," Henderson told reporters. "That's what I'm hoping for."

The Orioles open the season on March 27 on the road against the Toronto Blue Jays.

The 23-year-old was injured during Grapefruit League games but has since returned to "limited baseball activities" and told reporters Saturday that he is "on the right track" to be available on Opening Day, per Field Level Media.

“I’m on the right track, progressing,” Henderson told reporters. “It’s getting there. It’s a lot better than what it originally felt like.”

Henderson progressed from dry swings to hitting in the cage and fielding ground balls Wednesday, per Field Level Media, with optimism that he could see action in spring training games before they conclude on March 23.

The short stop's history with abdominal muscle strains has led the Orioles to take a cautious approach to his return. He dealt with left oblique discomfort last spring training but recovered quickly, whereas his current injury has lingered longer than previous ones.

“This one is a little bit unique, in the sense of what I had happen last year. This one is just kind of lingering,” Henderson continued. “Body was in a weird, awkward position whenever I caught the ball and then landed on it weird. Didn’t feel great.”

In 2023, Henderson was named American League Rookie of the Year. Last season with Baltimore, he played in 159 games, earned his first All-Star nod and recorded 37 home runs, 31 doubles and 93 RBI.

If Henderson is not ready for his fourth Opening Day, Jackson Holliday is expected to shift from second base, per Field Level Media. Third baseman Jordan Westburg could also be an option, along with Livan Soto.

"We're all hopeful that he'll be ready," manager Brandon Hyde told reporters in regard to Henderson. "It's just going to depend on how many at-bats he can get, how this thing reacts after a game, soreness, all that kind of stuff."