Orioles whittle down spring training roster to 29 players

The Orioles made eight cuts tonight that put their opening day roster into sharper focus, unless they make any other changes before Sunday's deadline.

It's still possible.

The Orioles reassigned pitchers Todd Redmond and Pedro Beato, infielders Paul Janish and Steve Tolleson, and outfielder L.J. Hoes to minor league camp. They also optioned catcher Francisco Pena and confirmed that pitchers Chaz Roe and Zach Phillips cleared waivers and were outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk.

With these moves, the Orioles have 29 players on their roster as spring training draws to a close with tonight's 8-7 win over the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.

Kevin Gausman, Brian Matusz and Jimmy Paredes are expected to be placed on the disabled list to lower the total to 26. Rosters for opening day must be set by Sunday at noon.

Xavier Avery remains with the club as the one non-roster invitee. He homered again tonight, his fourth of the spring, and raised his average to .313 with a 1.289 OPS. He also brings some appeal as a left-handed hitting outfielder.

The Orioles signed Avery as a minor league free agent on Dec. 15. They originally drafted him in the second round in 2008.

Manager Buck Showalter has praised Avery for being the strongest player in camp "pound for pound." In other words, he shouldn't challenge Chris Davis.

Pitcher Vance Worley and outfielders Hyun Soo Kim and Nolan Reimold remain on the roster. Worley started tonight's game and came out after two innings and a rain delay. He allowed one run.

Worley is out of options and can fit in the bullpen and perhaps the fifth spot in the rotation if the Orioles don't choose Tyler Wilson. They don't need a fifth starter until April 10.

Kim pinch-hit tonight, his first plate appearances since Saturday, and grounded into a force to lower his average to .178. He still won't consent to an assignment in the minors, and one member of the organization said they're in a "state of suspended animation."

Avery may have to be reassigned if Kim won't change his mind, leaving the competition for the final spot between the two left-handed hitting outfielders. Avery is superior defensively. However, he also can be sent to Triple-A Norfolk without his consent.

Janish has opt-out clauses in his minor league deal and may not make it through the season in the organization. The Orioles covet his defense and were relieved that a team didn't offer him a spot on its 25-man roster in spring training. He would have been allowed to accept it due to a clause in his contract.