Every February in Sarasota, young pitchers arrive at Orioles camp for spring training with the idea that a big league rotation spot is there to win — until a late-signing free-agent pitcher snatches it up and consigns them to the minors.
In 2016, it was Yovani Gallardo's arrival that shifted the rotation situation. Before him, it was Ubaldo Jiménez in 2014, and last spring, the camp signings of Andrew Cashner, Chris Tillman and Alex Cobb meant plans for countless young pitchers changed.
This year, with only Dylan Bundy, Cashner and Cobb returning and last week's signing of right-hander Nate Karns providing an early veteran wrinkle, the Orioles' young pitchers feel the chance to pitch their way into a major league role won't have nearly as many impediments.