It's been baseball season in Norman for six weeks now, but it's also finally time for a new season in the MLB.
MLB Opening Day was Thursday, and two former Oklahoma players were included on rosters. Two more would have likely been if not for injuries.
Jake Irvin, SP, Washington Nationals
Irvin made his MLB debut in 2023 and has been a regular in the Nationals' starting rotation ever since at 28 years old. Last season, he had a 4.41 ERA with 156 strikeouts and a 10-14 record in 33 starts.
The Nationals drafted Irvin in the fourth round of the 2018 MLB Draft out of OU.
Steven Okert, RP, Houston Astros
Okert has been in the Bigs nearly a decade since making his MLB debut in 2016 with the San Francisco Giants. The Giants drafted him in the fourth round of the 2012 MLB Draft out of OU.
This will be Okert's first season with the Astros. He spent last year with the Minnesota Twins, three years with the Miami Marlins and his first three seasons with the Giants before a two-year stint out of the majors that included a canceled season because of COVID.
Last season, Okert made 44 appearances and recorded a 5.09 ERA, 33 strikeouts, seven holds and one save.
Cade Cavalli, SP, Washington Nationals
After a stellar career as a Sooner that led to Cavalli being a first-round pick in 2020, he made his MLB debut in 2022. Cavalli needed Tommy John surgery in May 2023, though, and still hasn't fully recovered so is starting the season on injured reserve. Once healthy, he should eventually earn a spot on the Nationals' roster.
Jon Gray, SP, Texas Rangers
Gray has become an MLB veteran since the Colorado Rockies drafted him in 2013 after he won a Big 12 title with the Sooners. He joined the Texas Rangers in 2022 and was set for his fourth season in Arlington until a line drive hit him during Spring Training and fractured his right wrist.
Gray was part of the Rangers' World Series championship team in 2023 and last season had a 4.47 ERA in 19 starts.