Mar 4, 2016

Photos by Karl Merton Ferron, text by Joshua Land

Spring training is a time to prepare and warm up for the grind of another six-month baseball season.

It’s a time for players to gain favor as club officials evaluate who will be one of the lucky 25 to go north in April, and who will disperse among the minor league affiliates.

At the Orioles’ Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota, Fla., much of the roster is already determined. Few spots are up for grabs. But this spring carries weight for an Orioles team with a record payroll coming off a disappointing .500 season. So, browse images of the assembled players stretching, practicing and bonding amid the balmier Florida temperatures leading up to the start of Grapefruit League play the first week of March.

: Baltimore Orioles infielder Ryan Flaherty leads players in sprints during spring training at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Baltimore Orioles outfielder Adam Jones talks to executive vice president Dan Duquette (wearing white) and manager Buck Showalter, who are both reflected in Adam Jones’ sunglasses during spring training at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Baseballs rest while the Baltimore Orioles participate during spring training at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: The sign above the center field wall reaches into the sunrise at the Baltimore Orioles spring training complex at Ed Smith Stadium. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun)

: Baltimore Orioles Executive Vice President Dan Duquette watches the first day of workouts for position players as well as pitchers and catchers on the field during spring training at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: The Baltimore Orioles cast shadows as they prepare to stretch during spring training at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Baltimore Orioles players stretch on a healthy turf at the first day of workouts for position players as well as pitchers and catchers on the field during spring training at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Baltimore Orioles infielder Chris Davis waits to take the field for fielding drills during spring training at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Baltimore Orioles pitching coach Dave Wallace sits at the backstop, observing pitchers while during an intrasquad game at the Orioles’ spring training complex at Ed Smith Stadium. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun)

: From left, Baltimore Orioles infielder J.J. Hardy, outfielder Adam Jones, and pitcher Kevin Gausman listen as manager Buck Showalter, pitcher Yovani Gallardo and Executive Vice President Dan Duquette hold a press conference announcing the signing of the pitcher during spring training at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Baltimore Orioles have a spot at the table reserved for pitcher Yovani Gallardo, who signed a 2-year contract, for an early afternoon press conference at their spring training home. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Baltimore Orioles pitcher Miguel Gonzalez throws during an intrasquad game at the Orioles’ spring training complex at Ed Smith Stadium. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun)

: Baltimore Orioles catcher Francisco Pena at the first day of workouts for position players as well as pitchers and catchers on the field during spring training at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Baltimore Orioles infielder Chris Davis at the batting cage during spring training at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Baltimore Orioles infielder Jonathan Schoop during spring training at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Baltimore Orioles outfielder Henry Urrutia walks behind the batting cage during spring training at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Baltimore Orioles catcher Francisco Pena catches a popup during spring training at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Baltimore Orioles outfielder Hyun Soo Kim heads out to the practice fields at the first day of workouts for position players as well as pitchers and catchers on the field during spring training at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Spectators watch the Baltimore Orioles at the first day of workouts for position players as well as pitchers and catchers on the field during spring training at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Bats belong to Baltimore Orioles infielder Chris Davis at the first day of workouts for position players as well as pitchers and catchers on the field during spring training at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Baltimore Orioles outfielder Alfredo Marte gathers his equipment during spring training at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Baltimore Orioles pitcher Yovani Gallardo at a press conference announcing the signing of the pitcher during spring training at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Baltimore Orioles pitcher Chris Tillman (30) raises his hands at the first day of workouts for position players as well as pitchers and catchers on the field during spring training at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Baltimore Orioles outfielder Dariel Alvarez calls out while catching a sinking ball at the first day of workouts for position players as well as pitchers and catchers on the field during spring training at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: From left, Baltimore Orioles pitcher Miguel Gonzalez (50), infielder Jonathan Schoop and pitcher Yovani Gallardo head to the main field at the first day of workouts for position players as well as pitchers and catchers on the field during spring training at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Baltimore Orioles catcher Francisco Pena (27) looks back at infielder J.J. Hardy (left), who smiles as he adjusts his cap before the team come outside at the first day of workouts for position players as well as pitchers and catchers on the field during spring training at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: The bat belonging to Baltimore Orioles infielder Chris Davis during spring training at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Baltimore Orioles catcher Matt Wieters (32), pitcher Darren O’Day (56), infielder Chris Davis, outfielder Adam Jones (10) and infielder J.J. Hardy pose for a photo. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun)

: Baltimore Orioles Executive Vice President Dan Duquette watches the first day of workouts for position players as well as pitchers and catchers on the field during spring training at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Children press against the fence, hoping to get their baseballs autographed as Baltimore Orioles players inside participate in drills during spring training at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Baltimore Orioles new acquisition Yovani Gallardo (49) with (from left) Brian Matusz, Miguel Gonzales, and Chris Tillman during his first day in a Baltimore uniform during work out at their spring training home. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Baltimore Orioles pitchers participate in fielding drills during spring training at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Avery Delic, 3 stands behind Madison Delic, 5 of Toronto, watching Baltimore Orioles pitchers jog to the next practice field during spring training at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: Baltimore Orioles pitcher Jason Garcia throws as a weather front moves through the area, threatening the day’s spring training session at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

: A rain puddle reflects a batting cage that rests at the base of the right field foul pole of the main field of the Baltimore Orioles as a weather front moves through the area, threatening the day’s spring training session at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun)

Orioles warm up in Sarasota for the upcoming season

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