Reimold informed that he's not making roster

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla - Outfielder Nolan Reimold has been told that he's being reassigned to minor league camp unless the Orioles make a trade that creates a spot on the roster.

Manager Buck Showalter wouldn't confirm other moves because executive vice president Dan Duquette is engaged in talks with multiple teams. However, Reimold is headed to Triple-A Norfolk barring a late deal.

The opening day roster must be set by 3 p.m. Sunday.

"Nolan knows what the deal is. He'll start the season in Norfolk," Showalter said. "We've got a lot of irons in the fire in the next 20 hours and we'll see what happens. It could change."

Reimold signed a minor league deal on Feb. 3 knowing that the outfield was crowded, but hopeful that a productive spring would force the Orioles to create a spot. He hit .340/.439/.489 with a double, two home runs, nine RBIs and eight walks in 24 games and stayed healthy throughout camp. He lost two hits, including a home run, after a March 27 game was cancelled due to rain.

Reimold couldn't find a team willing to give him a major league deal over the winter, but he'd likely get claimed now if placed on waivers and the Orioles don't want to lose him. Baseball is a funny game, but it's no laughing matter to Reimold, whose contract includes a July opt-out clause.

The Orioles understand the added frustration for Reimold that four players are headed to the disabled list and he still can't get on the 25-man and 40-man rosters.

The Triple-A Norfolk outfield also includes Dariel Alvarez, Pedro Borbon and Henry Urrutia. Chris Parmelee also can play the outfield.

The Orioles released outfielder Matt Tuiasosopo from minor league camp because they didn't have room for him.

Though it's not official, the Orioles are leaning toward carrying Steve Clevenger on the opening day roster while Chris Davis serves the final game of his suspenion. Clevenger could be optioned to Norfolk after Davis comes off the restricted list or later when a player is activated from the disabled list.

As I've written, Clevenger also is a candidate to be traded. Let's see what tranpires by Sunday afternoon.

Clevenger broke camp last year as the backup catcher, but he apparently lost out to Ryan Lavarnway this spring. Clevenger batted .275/.286/.350 with three doubles and six RBIs in 22 games. He was 4-for-13 throwing out runners attempting to steal and didn't commit an error.

Lavarnway, signed to a minor league deal, batted .167/.211/.222 with two doubles and two RBIs in 17 games. He was 3-for-11 throwing out runners and committed one error.

Left-hander T.J. McFarland is expected to be optioned to Norfolk unless, again, something happens before the deadline that changes the landscape.

McFarland was 1-1 with a 7.30 ERA in seven games this spring, with 10 earned runs (11 total) and 23 hits in 12 1/3 innings. He also began last season with Norfolk and made five starts.

Rule 5 pitcher Jason Garcia apparently has made the club unless ... you know. The Orioles are certain that the Red Sox would take him back in a heartbeat, and they also believe there's at least one team that would claim him off waivers.

Garcia hasn't pitched above the low Single-A level and the Orioles aren't going to stash him in the bullpen. He's got to prove that he can get out major league hitters or he's gone.

Unless there's a trade or the Orioles pull a surprise, here's how the roster should look heading into opening day:

Pitchers: Chris Tillman, Wei-Yin Chen, Miguel Gonzalez, Bud Norris, Ubaldo Jimenez, Zach Britton, Darren O'Day, Tommy Hunter, Brad Brach, Brian Matusz, Wesley Wright, Kevin Gausman, Jason Garcia.

Position players: Manny Machado, Everth Cabrera, Jonathan Schoop, Steve Pearce, Alejandro De Aza, Adam Jones, Travis Snider, Delmon Young, Ryan Flaherty, Caleb Joseph, Ryan Lavarnway, Steve Clevenger.

Davis is excluded until the second game, in case you somehow missed it.

The Orioles have been gauging trade interest in Matusz and Wright, along with certain members of their rotation that would allow them to insert Kevin Gausman.

As for today's game, the Orioles lost to the Braves 5-3 and finish their Grapefruit League schedule with a 12-19-2 record.

Chris Parmelee homered off Braves closer Craig Kimbel in the ninth inning.

Ozzie Martinez had three hits and was impressive at shortstop. He's starting the season at Double-A Bowie.

"I'll tell you what, Ozzie Martinez got my attention," Showalter said. "He can play. He's had a great spring."

Showalter wasn't happy with the hard infield surface at Champion Stadium. He said 20 balls, easily, were affected in two games.

"How about some water on the field?" Showalter said. "They must be using all the water at Disney World for the Pirates of the Caribbean, because they ain't putting any on this field. That's terrible."