Countdown continues to Orioles deadline for Opening Day roster

SARASOTA, Fla. – Three more days and the Orioles break camp, play the Nationals in D.C., fly to Toronto, work out and begin a season that could deliver their first playoff win since 2014. Congratulations, it's an oh boy!

Tucked somewhere within this stretch is a finalized roster for March 27, with media curious whether it’s safe to report by Sunday’s game against the Braves in North Port or if the Orioles could wait until Monday.

Two years ago, they announced the Danny Coulombe trade with the Twins on the last day in camp. Colton Cowser broke the news of his inclusion on the Opening Day roster last spring after Orioles played the Twins in Fort Myers. He stood in the hallway outside the visiting clubhouse, revealed that he had just received confirmation from executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias and manager Brandon Hyde, and wondered if he committed a faux pas.

“I was just informed that I made the club. I’m excited,” he said.

Cowser stopped, turned to a team official and asked, “Was I supposed to say that?”

“OK, all right,” he said after receiving approval. “I didn’t know.”

The chef’s kiss came when Cowser finished his interview and asked reporters to hold off posting the information on social media until he phoned his parents. Just two minutes, he promised. That's like asking a lion to wait two minutes before tearing the head off a gazelle, but we obliged.

A late 3-for-23 slump removed Cowser’s status as a lock but didn’t dump him at minor league camp.

Ryan McKenna and Nick Maton were told they didn’t make the club, which seemed to guarantee a spot for Tyler Nevin. I wrote, “unless the Orioles bring in a player from outside the organization.”

Tony Kemp became that player a couple of days later.

This little jaunt down memory lane is a reminder that mock Opening Day rosters are as dependable as the weather and hands-free soap dispensers. A surprise cut, a surprise signing or waiver claim, an undisclosed injury. Anything can happen.

Let’s go back to assumptions early in the offseason that Coulombe and Jacob Webb would be in the bullpen – until one reliever had his option declined and the other was non-tendered. Outfielder Ramón Laureano wasn’t on the radar until the Orioles signed him in February. The breakdown was supposed to include seven infielders and only four outfielders, with Jorge Mateo bouncing back and fourth. He might not even be on the roster unless he’s upgraded from doubtful.

The biggest question right now is whether Cade Povich or Albert Suárez are in the rotation. Grayson Rodriguez’s elbow inflammation will force him on the injured list. He’s got a ways to go, with his first flat-ground throwing done Tuesday, before he’s ready to pitch in major league games. Povich tossed five hitless innings Tuesday. Suárez allowed one run in five innings Sunday. Down the stretch they come. Who’s got the whip?

(Stop putting so much emphasis on the “H”)

It would be easier to mock a roster if the loser in this battle simply went to the bullpen. I still think Povich is optioned if he isn’t starting. Suárez can fit in either role. But I also thought Coulombe and Webb would be here, closer Félix Bautista would be full-go from the beginning of camp and Tomoyuki Sugano would have the audacity to give up a run.

Andrew Kittredge was supposed to be in the ‘pen, basically as Webb’s replacement, but he underwent cartilage repair surgery in his left knee and we might not see him pitch before June or July. I handed the job to Bryan Baker, as did others, and it might hold true, but Matt Bowman is complicating matters with his excellent spring and opt-out clause on Sunday.

I’m better at scenarios than firm predictions. It’s Povich or Suárez in the rotation with Sugano, Zach Eflin, Charlie Morton and Dean Kremer. An interesting twist is that Povich or Suárez could be the No. 4 starter, followed by Kremer. It’s hard to count days with guys pitching on the back fields.

It’s probably Baker and Bowman in the ‘pen if Suárez is starting. Povich would give the Orioles a left-handed starter, which seems important except that they were prepared to go without one if Rodriguez stayed healthy. Holding onto Povich pits Baker against Bowman. Baker is on the 40-man and out of options. Bowman is a spring invitee who would be reassigned and stay in the organization if he didn’t opt out.

Seems like it might come down to how badly the Orioles want Bowman around. They designated him for assignment after the season, which is a crummy vote of confidence, but they also re-signed the Chevy Chase native to a minor league deal.

He lives in Brooklyn now, so it was done live from New York.

I’ll see myself out. But first, there’s also the position side to discuss.

Gunnar Henderson took batting practice on the field Tuesday after some full-force practice swings behind the cage. He didn’t have any restrictions. The contact was loud, the line drive a blur, as if nothing was wrong. But the clock is ticking and another absence from the lineup today hurts his chances, especially if needing a day off after his return. He hasn’t played since Feb. 27 and is sitting on six at-bats, which can’t be comfortable.

The Orioles can manipulate at-bats on the back fields by setting up a simulated game and letting him lead off every inning. Maybe he can do it, assuming that he felt good yesterday. Maybe he did more hitting on the off-day. We can ask later.

Both catchers are healthy, so there’s that.

I’ll dare to mock now with the freedom to list “Henderson/Soto” in the infield. I feel a little better about the All-Star’s chances after Tuesday. Otherwise, it shall be Livan, and he shall be a good man.

Rotation

Zach Eflin
Charlie Morton
Tomoyuki Sugano
Dean Kremer
Albert Suárez

Bullpen

Félix Bautista
Yennier Cano
Seranthony Domínguez
Bryan Baker
Matt Bowman
Cionel Pérez
Gregory Soto
Keegan Akin

But it could be Povich in the rotation! And Elias could pull another cash considerations move for the ‘pen at the end.

Catchers

Adley Rutschman
Gary Sánchez

Infielders

Gunnar Henderson/Livan Soto
Ryan Mountcastle
Jordan Westburg
Jackson Holliday
Ramón Urías
Ryan O’Hearn

Outfielders

Cedric Mullins
Colton Cowser
Tyler O’Neill
Heston Kjerstad
Ramón Laureano