Those wondering what’s different about an Orioles team that retained many of its stars but seemed to only marginally improve last year’s .500 ballclub need only look at Sunday’s Grapefruit League matinee to see what’s new.
The two new position players projected for every day roles on the Opening Day roster, designated hitter Pedro Alvarez and right fielder Mark Trumbo, each homered and drove in seven total runs an 8-8 tie with the Tampa Bay Rays at Ed Smith Stadium.
Alvarez, who was thrust into spring training games three days after signing on March 10 and played five straight games after debuting a week ago Sunday, lost himself at the plate late in that stretch and got two days off to regroup before Sunday.