SARASOTA, Fla. – The Orioles pared their camp roster to 38 players this afternoon. The cuts are presented for everyone. Who’s made the club isn’t as transparent.

The media isn’t alone in the dark. Colton Cowser, Ryan McKenna and Tyler Nevin haven’t learned their fates, mainly because the front office is checking on external options with contract opt-outs arriving today.

Cowser is baseball’s version of a slam dunk, but he’s waiting for official word.

“You never know,” he said. “Just going to continue to work and continue to do what I’m called upon to do.”

There isn’t much more that Cowser can do, with his at-bats and defense setting him up for fourth outfielder duties.

SARASOTA, Fla. – Three months after Orioles executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias described Jackson Holliday as “definitely a very strong possibility” to make the Opening Day roster, baseball’s No. 1 prospect was told that he’s beginning the season at Triple-A.

A promotion that wasn’t etched in stone crumbled in Sarasota. The dust was thick.

Holliday was counted among seven cuts but got the bulk of the attention and fan reaction after batting .311/.354/.600 with three doubles, two triples, two home runs and six RBIs and 15 games. His comfort level expanded at second base, where he figured to get the vast majority of his work with Gunnar Henderson entrenched as the starting shortstop.

“Obviously a very tough decision on all these guys,” Elias said, making certain to include outfielders Heston Kjerstad and Kyle Stowers, who were optioned, and infielders Coby Mayo and Connor Norby, pitcher Albert Suárez and catcher David Bañuelos, who were reassigned to get the camp roster down to 38.

“We have a lot of players with a lot of really good statistics in camp, and a lot of them were sent out today, so that’s hard because these guys have put themselves in such a good position in terms of their performance and the kind of shape they came in. Making spring training evaluations, it’s more art than science, and all these guys did a great job of putting themselves in the thick of the competition and distinguishing themselves, even with this talented camp.”

SARASOTA, Fla. – Jackson Holliday will begin the 2024 season at Triple-A Norfolk.

The Orioles announced this afternoon that prospects Holliday, Coby Mayo and Connor Norby were reassigned to minor league camp and outfielders Heston Kjerstad and Kyle Stowers were optioned.

Right-hander Albert Suárez and catcher David Bañuelos also were reassigned. But Holliday is the big news.

Baseball’s No. 1 prospect batted .311/.354/.600 in 15 games, with three doubles, two triples, two home runs and six RBIs. He was vying for playing time at second base, with Gunnar Henderson entrenched at shortstop.

Today’s move with Holliday could signal that the team is keeping Ryan McKenna as a fifth outfielder or carrying second baseman Kolten Wong, whose opt-out date is today.

SARASOTA, Fla. – The camp roster held at 45 players yesterday. Jorge Mateo is confirmed for Opening Day in Baltimore.

Can the remaining decisions be simplified to, who’s the last reliever and bench player? Are we actually at that point in spring training?

A reduction to two spots with this many players on the major league side is interesting, to say the least.

To say the most, this is the correct math if bullpen locks are Craig Kimbrel, Yennier Cano, Danny Coulombe, Cionel Pérez, Mike Baumann, Dillon Tate and Keegan Akin. And if we’re waiting only to find out whether Jackson Holliday is on the Opening Day roster or the Orioles decide between second baseman Kolten Wong and a fifth outfielder like Kyle Stowers, Ryan McKenna or Heston Kjerstad.

In hindsight, it isn’t that simple. It’s more than just two players going head-to-head for one job, like the good ol’ backup catcher wars of past spring trainings before James McCann arrived.

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Talent times have changed with the Orioles, and the proof showed again tonight when substitutions in the sixth inning included Coby Mayo at first base, Jackson Holliday at shortstop and Kyle Stowers in center field.

Not the typical replacements in a road exhibition game.

Holliday subbed for Gunnar Henderson, who led off and played the position that now belongs to him in 2024. Sharing is caring, but Henderson can hog it.

Manager Brandon Hyde confirmed it to the media this afternoon. Henderson won’t shift between short and third. Precisely what last year’s American League Rookie of the Year wanted to hear.

“That’s what I was drafted as and what I played my whole life growing up,” Henderson said, “so I’m looking forward to just getting some consistent playing time there.”

FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Orioles set their rotation for the beginning of the season, and they’re ignoring the off-days and going with five starters.

Corbin Burnes is getting the ball for Opening Day against the Angels on March 28, followed by Grayson Rodriguez on March 30, Tyler Wells on March 31, Dean Kremer on April 1 against the Royals and Cole Irvin on April 2. Every game will be played at Camden Yards.

Wells appeared to be a bullpen candidate over the winter, but Kyle Bradish and John Means are headed to the injured list. Trading for Burnes didn’t push Wells back into a relief role.

Results also matter with Wells, who has allowed only two runs in 10 2/3 innings.

“We look at a little bit of everything – opponent, not only opponent first time but in the next few weeks, but also, he’s throwing the ball great,” said manager Brandon Hyde. “One of our best, if not the best starter in the first half last year, and for me he’s throwing the ball like that right now. We want to start him game three.”

FORT MYERS, Fla. – The 20-win spring training Orioles play their penultimate road game tonight against the Red Sox at JetBlue Park.

Albert Suárez makes his fifth appearance and third start, and he needs to avoid the one disastrous inning that has marred his last two games and maybe impacted his chances of going north.

Suárez has logged 11 1/3 innings and allowed eight runs and 13 hits with one walk and 16 strikeouts. He was charged with five runs in the seventh inning of Friday’s game against the Rays in Port Charlotte.

Gunnar Henderson is leading off and playing shortstop. Jordan Westburg is the third baseman and cleanup hitter.

Colton Cowser is in center field. Tyler Nevin is the left fielder and Kolten Wong is the second baseman.

SARASOTA, Fla. – With the Orioles committed to keeping 13 pitchers and 13 position players, they’re operating under an assumption that they head north with a set five-man rotation and eight relievers. Roster mocks divide the bullpen into the “locks” and “others” categories, as the club would operate under normal circumstances.,

However, there’s nothing normal about having five off-days before May, including March 29 after the opener against the Angels at Camden Yards.

The schedule could lead the Orioles to begin the season with four starters and keep a ninth reliever who operates as a long man. They’re discussing various scenarios and the factors that could be influencers, such as the number of pitchers who are out of minor league options.

At the risk of being charged with murder by monotony, I’ll share again that I think Craig Kimbrel, Yennier Cano, Danny Coulombe, Cionel Pérez, Mike Baumann and Dillon Tate are the safest bets to go north, and that Keegan Akin has thrust himself onto the frontrunner list.

The eighth spot could come down to Jacob Webb, Bryan Baker, Julio Teheran, Albert Suárez or Andrew Suárez. My mind narrows it to Webb, Baker and Teheran, with Albert Suárez, who starts tonight against the Red Sox in Fort Myers, hopping into Triple-A Norfolk’s rotation. Andrew Suárez would be a fourth left-hander, which seems extreme in an eight-man ‘pen.

SARASOTA, Fla. – The Orioles rotation is taking its final spring turn before Opening Day.

Dean Kremer won’t get the ball again until he’s in Baltimore. He accumulated 3 2/3 innings tonight and allowed one run and three hits with two walks and five strikeouts.

Kremer was stretched out to 75 pitches, 46 for strikes.

Albert Suárez starts Thursday night against the Red Sox in Fort Myers, and Corbin Burnes starts Friday night against the Pirates in Sarasota. Chayce McDermott leaves minor league camp to start Saturday afternoon’s split-squad game against the Rays in Port Charlotte, and Tyler Wells starts Saturday night against the Blue Jays in Sarasota.

The exhibition finale is Sunday, with the Orioles playing the Twins in Fort Myers, and manager Brandon Hyde hasn’t revealed his starter. Meanwhile, Grayson Rodriguez hasn’t faced Grapefruit League hitters since Thursday in Bradenton, which indicates that he’s pitched on the back fields.

SARASOTA, Fla. – The Orioles optioned left-handed reliever Nick Vespi to minor league camp this afternoon. The major league camp roster is down to 45 players.

Vespi is the second southpaw pitcher in two days to be sent down, following Bruce Zimmermann yesterday morning.

Vespi had a solid showing until allowing three runs and three hits yesterday in 1 1/3 innings in Dundedin. The Blue Jays’ Daulton Varsho hit a two-run homer.

The final spring total for Vespi is five runs and seven hits in 8 1/3 innings. He walked one batter and struck out 12, and opponents batted .219.

“We obviously have a lot more (cuts) to go,” said manager Brandon Hyde.

SARASOTA, Fla. – The second day after an appearance is usually when the soreness creeps in with reliever Bryan Baker. Nothing that he can’t manage, of course. It comes with the chosen profession, but he feels it. And this is why he’s looking forward to pitching on back-to-back days as the final ramp up for Opening Day.

Baker doesn’t know whether he’ll make the roster, but at least he’ll be ready.

The outings haven’t all been clean, but Baker’s logged six innings without surrendering an earned run. He’s allowed only two hits and struck out eight batters, but also walked four and hit one. Opponents are batting .095.

Baker has one minor league option left and the Orioles could decide to use it. Six of the eight spots appear secure with Craig Kimbrel, Yennier Cano, Cionel Pérez, Danny Coulombe, Mike Baumann and Dillon Tate. Keegan Akin is looking more like a lock with his 7 1/3 scoreless innings, one hit allowed and 10 strikeouts.

The Orioles could break with nine relievers and only four starters because of the five off-days before the beginning of May. Whatever the configuration, Baker is battling to avoid an option to Triple-A Norfolk and feeling that he’s done everything he could “for the most part.”

DUNEDIN, Fla. – Jackson Holliday keeps pushing to make the Orioles’ Opening Day roster.

Two more hits today, including his second home run, and a walk were the latest arguments for it. He can’t be ignored. He won’t let up.

Blue Jays veteran Chad Green served up the homer with two outs in the fifth inning, with Holliday driving a curveball to the bar area beyond the right-center field fence. The average increased to .326 with a .998 OPS.

There must be something about TD Ballpark. Holliday hit a grand slam here in a March 10 split-squad game.

“I do like hitting here,” he said. “Usually the wind blows out, so it’s pretty favorable.”

DUNEDIN, Fla. – Bruce Zimmermann will head to minor league spring training and jump into Triple-A Norfolk’s rotation.

The Orioles optioned Zimmermann this morning after he allowed three earned runs and 12 hits in 7 2/3 innings. His 3.52 ERA was paired with a 1.957 WHIP.

“We need rotation depth and so he’s going to be in the Norfolk rotation to start the year,” said manager Brandon Hyde. “It’s going to take more than five guys. He threw the ball well this spring, but we’re going to start the year with him in Triple-A and continue to build him up as a starter.”

Prospects Cade Povich, Chayce McDermott and Justin Armbruester are expected to join Zimmermann. Albert Suárez could occupy another spot if he doesn’t break camp with the Orioles.

Seth Johnson probably will be assigned to Double-A Bowie. He’s made only one career appearance above High-A.

DUNEDIN, Fla. – The Orioles optioned left-hander Bruce Zimmermann to minor league camp this morning, reducing their major league camp roster to 46 players.

The Baltimore native was competing for a spot in the rotation or the bullpen in long relief.

Zimmermann appeared in three games and allowed three earned runs (five total) and 12 hits in 7 2/3 innings. He walked three batters and struck out seven.

Ryan Mountcastle remains out of the lineup this afternoon against the Blue Jays. He hasn’t played since March 12 due to neck stiffness but said this morning that he’s taking live batting practice in Sarasota and will play Wednesday night against the Phillies in Sarasota.

Austin Hays has been ill but said this morning that he’s feeling better. He also could be in Wednesday’s lineup.

SARASOTA, Fla. – A second off-day of the spring provided rest and recreation to a group of players who would rather hit a golf ball than the wall.

What it couldn’t accomplish is the task of figuring out how to pare the camp roster to 26 players. That’s a higher pay grade.

Competition is great. It’s also a pain in the rear because players who should be introduced to a packed house on March 28 will be working out in Sarasota and waiting for the minor league season to begin. Seems unfair but that’s business, the kind from an organization that’s operating at a much higher talent level than in the past.

The rotation is at least close to set with Corbin Burnes, Grayson Rodriguez, Dean Kremer, Tyler Wells and Cole Irvin, whatever order beyond the ace. Let’s assume that Rodriguez and Kremer are two and three.

But what the heck is going on with the position players?

SARASOTA, Fla. – Two off-days in one spring training? This must be how the other half lives.

I’d ask why the Orioles usually don’t get multiple breaks in their schedule, but I’m here to supply answers. That’s supposed to be my contribution to the mailbag.

You remember the mailbag, of course. Sequel after sequel to the beloved 2008 original. Informative, mildly entertaining, never edited except for your crude profanities.

I’m not worried about length. It’s the freakin’ internet.

Your style is fine with me, though I’d lengthen those shorts.

SARASOTA, Fla. – Jorge Mateo has made 10 career appearances and three starts in right field, including one with the Orioles in August 2021 against the Braves, when Max Fried pitched a complete-game shutout at Camden Yards.

Mateo was in right field this afternoon against Atlanta, making his first spring appearance at an outfield corner after seven starts at shortstop, three at second base and two in center.

“Just preparing for if it does happen in the season,” said manger Brandon Hyde. “Just want to move guys around a little bit in camp.”

The ball found Mateo with two outs in the first inning, and he made a sliding catch of Marcell Ozuna’s line drive. Starter Tyler Wells applauded by slapping his hand into his glove.

Mateo ran down Austin Riley’s fly ball in shallow right field, calling off second baseman Kolten Wong, to end the third. He moved to left field in the top of the fourth, with Ryan O’Hearn switching to right.

SARASOTA, Fla. – Ryan Mountcastle is out of the lineup again today as the Orioles play split-squad games against the Braves in Sarasota and Tigers in Lakeland. However, Mountcastle said this morning that his neck feels much better and he should be ready after Monday’s off-day.

Mountcastle is missing his fifth game in a row.

“I just took a swing and it locked up,” he said, “but we’re just getting it worked out and feel pretty good, and should be back, probably, the next game.”

Mountcastle has appeared in nine games and is 7-for-27 with two doubles, seven RBIs and three runs scored.

“Pretty good,” he said. “Getting a bunch of ABs and stuff. Feel pretty solid. Feel good defensively, feel good offensively, and hopefully just get this neck thing figured out the next day or two and be back to normal.

SARASOTA, Fla. – The at-bats and innings are going away. Boxes will arrive in front of lockers to ship belongings to Baltimore or other destinations. Meetings that shape the Opening Day roster will continue.

The days are dwindling but the work that remains is stacked high.

As the team prepares today for split-squad games against the Braves in Sarasota and Tigers in Lakeland, the latter being one of the worst trips of the spring that’s avoidable because of the home action, here are some more thoughts, questions and curiosities:

* Will Ryan Mountcastle return to the lineup?

Mountcastle went 2-for-4 with an RBI double and run-scoring grounder Tuesday against the Rays in Sarasota, but he hasn’t played in the last four games.

SARASOTA, Fla. – Corbin Burnes coasted through the first inning today, retiring the Red Sox in order on nine pitches and throwing seven for strikes. Cedric Mullins made a nice running catch in left-center to deny Pablo Reyes.

The second inning couldn’t have gone much worse. Couldn’t have been more dramatically different than the rest of Burnes’ outing.

A crazy day for the veteran right-hander, who was outstanding in four of his five frames. But also important in being able to solve the issue and do good work with the new people in his baseball life.

Bobby Dalbec and Wilyer Abreu hit back-to- back home runs, the former on a two-strike fastball. Burnes committed throwing errors while attempting pickoffs at first and second base, and the Red Sox took advantage with an RBI single by Tyler Heineman and sacrifice fly by Dalton Guthrie to deep center field.

A 2-0 lead for the Orioles became a 4-2 deficit, and Burnes threw 20 pitches in the inning. On the plus side, 17 were strikes.