How will the Orioles make room on their roster?

MINNEAPOLIS - The Orioles are closing out their series in Minnesota today, and their road trip, with the same infield options on their roster.

Change is coming.

Ramón Urías began his injury rehab assignment last night at Double-A Bowie, starting at third base and going 0-for-3 with three strikeouts and committing a fielding error. He hadn’t played since June 9, due to a strained left oblique, or received an at-bat since June 7.

There’s bound to be some rust. And the Orioles will be careful to make sure he doesn’t experience any setbacks with an injury that requires a lengthy period of inactivity.

Urías hasn’t been the same hitter who crafted a .279/.361/.412 line in 296 plate appearances, but he can move around the infield and has some pop. His six home runs in 188 plate appearances are one fewer than he totaled last season, but he’s slashing .225/.273/.387.

You get to play general manager or manager today, depending how you envision the upcoming decision being made. Urías is out of minor league options and can’t be sent down without passing through waivers. If you’re keeping him, as the Orioles figure to do, who comes off the active roster?

Jonathan Araúz was claimed off waivers from the Red Sox and recalled when eligible. His first Orioles hit was a home run in Chicago, but he’s 3-for-18 with seven strikeouts.

Araúz has made four starts at third base, where he failed to come up with José Miranda’s hard ground ball Friday night that scored the only run off Spenser Watkins, and one at second. He has two minor league options remaining.

The Orioles love his experience in the middle infield. That’s why they claimed him. But does it keep him around with Urías able to do the same?

Richie Martin was tearing up the International League when the Orioles returned him to the majors. He’s 5-for-28 with two triples.

Martin has played second base and shortstop with the Orioles, but he can handle center field if needed. His value is similar to what Araúz brings, and the club also needs to figure out whether he’s a piece moving forward. If he can at least serve in a utility role when the big-time prospects like Gunnar Henderson and Jordan Westburg reach the majors.

In the meantime, he also has multiple options and easily can be sent down. And remember that a player uses only one a year, no matter how many times he’s on the shuttle.

Tyler Nevin started at third base yesterday and lined a run-scoring double into right-center field in the second inning. He’s 22-for-120 (.183) with three doubles, two home runs and 14 RBIs in 40 games, but he’s made some impressive plays in the field.

Nevin has played four positions this season, but none in the middle infield. He’s strictly a corner guy, which tends to put him at a disadvantage. The bat really needs to heat up.

This is another player that the Orioles need to learn more about, which is a solid argument for keeping him if he isn’t stuck on the bench.

Ryan McKenna is the fourth outfielder on this team, and he showed his value Friday night with his fourth outfield assist, a diving catch, and a double and run scored in the eighth inning that gave the Orioles a 2-1 lead. He stays ready. He’s a solid bench player, able to play everywhere in the outfield and bring a speed element.

McKenna also can be optioned. It’s happened plenty of times to him, though a new rule caps the number per season at five or he goes on waivers.

Trey Mancini can play the outfield corners if McKenna is gone. Jorge Mateo has outfield experience. McKenna is still the best choice as the fourth guy, but it hasn’t saved him in the past.

The pitching staff won’t be reduced to 12 and the Orioles won’t carry five reserves.

Kyle Bradish is trying to get back in the rotation. He has a bullpen session later today and the Orioles might decide that he can skip a rehab assignment. Or they may want him facing some batters before activating him, since he hasn’t pitched since June 18.

Austin Voth is making his next start at Camden Yards, with his turn falling on Tuesday versus the Rangers. Spenser Watkins isn’t leaving the rotation after allowing just one earned run in two starts totaling 11 innings since returning from the injured list and Triple-A.   

Voth is out of options and can decline an outright assignment because he’s already been designated for assignment.

The bullpen doesn’t offer an obvious solution. Which reliever among Keegan Akin, Bryan Baker, Félix Bautista, Joey Krehbiel, Jorge López, Cionel Pérez, Dillon Tate and Nick Vespi would you bump for Voth?

Voth offers more length than most, so maybe that puts Vespi on thinner ice. But Vespi had been charged with only one run in 11 1/3 innings before Wednesday in Seattle, when he was charged with six in one-third.

An earth-rattling hiccup, but nothing that should define his tenure with the Orioles. That would be unfair. His total body of work in 2022, including the Norfolk Tides, has been outstanding.