SARASOTA—Tyler O’Neill was supposed to play his first game for the Orioles on Monday. O’Neill, who signed as a free agent in December, was ready to play right field and bat fourth. The game was canceled because of rain, and his debut will come on Tuesday.
O’Neill signed a three-year, $49.5 million contract with an opt-out after 2025. He’s well acquainted with the Orioles from playing against them with the Boston Red Sox.
“It was always chasing Baltimore last year, playing in the AL East,” he said. “I was familiar with the division. Baltimore is a team to beat, so obviously when they had interest in me early in the offseason, I was excited about that.”
The 29-year-old from British Columbia will become the first Canadian to play for the Orioles since Adam Loewen in 2008. A muscular 5 feet 11, 200 pounds, O’Neill doesn’t hide his muscles or his enthusiasm.