Orioles' Gunnar Henderson Expected to Return from Injury, Make 2025 Debut vs. Royals

The Baltimore Orioles won't have to wait much longer for Gunnar Henderson's 2025 debut.

Manager Brandon Hyde said the infielder is "probable" for Friday's game against the Kansas City Royals even though he was not yet activated ahead of Thursday's contest against the Boston Red Sox due to a right intercostal strain, per Noah Trister of the Associated Press.

Henderson's return comes at an ideal time, as the Orioles have felt his absence of late.

They were shut out in a 3-0 loss to the Red Sox on Wednesday after pushing across just one run in Sunday's 3-1 defeat to the Toronto Blue Jays. They are 3-3 on the season and have dealt with offensive inconsistency.

Baltimore scored at least eight runs in its three wins but scored a combined total of three runs in its three losses.

Henderson's return will come after he couldn't have scripted a much better start to his career.

He was the American League Rookie of the Year and a Silver Slugger in 2023 while slashing .255/.325/.489 with 28 home runs, 82 RBI and 10 stolen bases. He was even better in his second season with a .281/.364/.529 slash line, 37 home runs, 92 RBI and 21 stolen bases.

The 23-year-old's presence in the lineup is a major reason the Orioles reached the playoffs in each of the last two seasons and once again have high expectations in 2025. That he won't end up missing much time with his early injury should also help them avoid falling into too much of a hole in the AL East in the initial portion of the season.

Friday's game against the Royals marks the start of a six-game road trip before the Orioles return home for another series against the Blue Jays starting April 11.