Orioles' opening day roster remains unsettled as they reach an off-day

SARASOTA, Fla. - Today's much-needed and celebrated break in the exhibition schedule should have provided a little more clarity to the 26-man roster for opening day.

It doesn't always work out that way.

Trey Mancini could begin the season on the injured list, which creates an unexpected vacancy in right field. Manager Brandon Hyde didn't want to talk about possible alternatives yesterday while meeting with the media. He doesn't know and he doesn't want to be disrespectful to Mancini, who's undergoing a "non-baseball medical procedure," by placing too much emphasis on the game aspect of it.

How the Orioles replace Mancini isn't the big concern.

(The Orioles are respecting Mancini's wishes to keep the details private, but I think it's important to point out that he doesn't have the Coronavirus. I'm certain of this. Also, he wouldn't be undergoing a medical procedure and the Orioles wouldn't be keeping the clubhouse open and nonchalantly playing games as if it's definitely an isolated incident. Speculating is an unproductive and inappropriate gesture.)

Making his first public statement last night by using Twitter as his social platform, Mancini relayed his appreciation to the Orioles, his family and fans for their concern and support.

"I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone for their kind sentiments and well wishes," he wrote. "It further drives home the fact that I am surrounded by the best family, friends/teammates and fans that I could ever ask for.

"Once there is more clarity, I will be sure to keep everyone updated over the next few days. I look forward to a healthy recovery and being back on the field soon."

Hyde can concentrate later on the impact on the roster. Whether Cedric Mullins could become the regular right or left fielder. Whether Mason Williams has a better shot at making the team as a non-roster invitee.

Whether Anthony Santander moves to right field and Dwight Smith Jr. becomes the regular in left.

Whether executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias checks the waiver wire for an outfielder.

Ankle surgery in October ruled out DJ Stewart, who otherwise could have headed north while already occupying a spot on the 40-man roster.

Yusniel Diaz won't make the leap from Double-A.

The Orioles would have to figure out how subtracting Mancini impacted their bench composition, which is going to include a utility infielder. Do they need a second spot for a super-utility player who can move to the outfield?

Wade LeBlanc seems like a certainty to make the rotation, whether in the third or fourth slot with John Means, Alex Cobb and Asher Wojciechowski. Means is lined up to make the opening day start on March 26.

Kohl Stewart was a stronger possibility to join the rotation until biceps soreness pushed back his debut to Sunday. The tightness in Tommy Milone's trapezius and neck has limited him to one start, back on Feb. 27, and it could be another week before he pitches again in the Grapefruit League.

The Orioles aren't ruling him out. He's just got to catch up.

Removing Rule 5 pitchers Brandon Bailey and Michael Rucker from the 40-man roster suggests that the Orioles are preparing to add LeBlanc and Milone, but they also might need space for utility infielder Pat Valaika. And they've increased the total to 39 by claiming Hector Velázquez off waivers from the Red Sox, which thrusts him into the bullpen mix as a long reliever.

The Orioles could put reliever Evan Phillips on the 60-day injured list with an elbow injury. He's no longer in the bullpen discussion.

Neither is Rucker despite his five scoreless innings. And Bailey was a starter and relief candidate before returning to the Astros.

Another reason to shred some of the mock 26-man rosters.

The Orioles figured to carry at least one of their Rule 5 picks because that's what they do. Two wasn't an absurd expectation. That's also been done.

It's not happening in 2020.

At least we know that much about the roster.