Getting closer to opening day roster

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles must set their opening day roster shortly before Sunday's workout at Camden Yards. And then hit the reset button on April 9. And hit it again on April 15.

If the lineup hits like this, they're going to lead the league in runs scored.

The Orioles will need to activate Wade Miley from the disabled list on the 9th and decide on a fifth starter on the 15th. An extra reliever and bench player figure to get hacked.

There are 31 players remaining on the camp roster, but it's easy to determine how it's reduced to 27 with Miley, Chris Tillman and Anthony Santander bound for the disabled list and Aneury Tavárez placed on waivers.

Pitchers Gabriel Ynoa, Jayson Aquino and Oliver Drake would appear to be vying for one spot in the bullpen.

Ynoa and Aquino seem to be the favorites for the fifth starter's job and it would make sense to get them into a rotation down below and continue to stretch them out. But it's all a guessing game.

The threat of a waiver claim adds to the confusion. We're assuming that Tyler Wilson and Vidal Nuño are the long relievers - Logan Verrett pitched his way out of the competition with an 8.10 ERA in nine outings - but at last check they hadn't been told that they made the team. It's also possible that a pitcher currently on waivers ends up as the eighth reliever.

Would anything come as a surprise?

The Orioles can carry Trey Mancini, Joey Rickard and Craig Gentry until the 15th, as long as the extra reliever comes off the roster to make room for Miley. Mancini and Rickard can be optioned, but Gentry must be exposed to waivers and another team almost certainly would claim him.

It's a headache for the Orioles, but consider the alternative. They didn't have this complication through 14 straight losing seasons. It was last man standing. It was discouraging.

Mancini increased his chances of staying by gaining Showalter's trust in the outfield. He isn't the plus defender that they sought, but he's made a favorable impression and could work into the occasional platoon with Seth Smith if he sticks around. Otherwise, he can be the designated hitter against left-handers while Mark Trumbo plays right field.

Not exactly how they drew it up over the winter, but everything is subject to change.

The Orioles are taking 14 position players to Baltimore:

Catchers: Welington Castillo, Caleb Joseph

Infielders: Manny Machado, J.J. Hardy, Jonathan Schoop, Chris Davis, Ryan Flaherty

Outfielders: Adam Jones, Hyun Soo Kim, Seth Smith, Mark Trumbo, Joey Rickard, Trey Mancini, Craig Gentry

The Orioles will take 11 pitchers and currently plan on the following:

Starters: Kevin Gausman, Dylan Bundy, Ubaldo Jiménez

Relievers: Zach Britton, Darren O'Day, Brad Brach, Mychal Givens, Donnie Hart, Tyler Wilson, Vidal Nuño, TBD

I'm boarding my flight home later this morning and colleague Steve Melewski will track the weather at Norfolk.