Resuming rumblings on 40-man roster

The Orioles took a deliberate approach to filling their 40-man roster, but the deed is done. It's stuffed like a holiday turkey.

Just don't assume that it's staying that way.

Anyone who signs a major league contract is going to bump a player off the roster, and the Orioles are at least willing to consider it.

In the meantime, it's impossible to make an exact prediction about the roster when you wake up in the morning and find pitchers Ashton Goudeau, Mac Sceroler and Tyler Wells on it.

Prove to me that you saw this coming when the offseason began, that you knew these names and linked them to the Orioles, and I'll take you on a shopping spree.

Anything on this side of the aisle at Dollar Tree.

Version 2.3 of Baseball America's Rule 5 draft preview, with 64 players singled out as possible selections, didn't include Sceroler or Wells. And the Orioles held the fifth pick in each round.

You just never know.

The Orioles probably aren't going to carry both pitchers on opening day. The goal is one. The odds say none. But it's a tad easier for a rebuilding club and with active rosters expanded.

Pitchers Nestor Cortes Jr. and Pedro Araujo broke camp with the Orioles in 2018 - José Mesa Jr. failed to complete the trifecta - but Cortes didn't make it through April. Brandon Bailey and Michael Rucker didn't make it out of spring training in 2020. Infielders Richie Martin and Drew Jackson headed north in 2019, but Jackson was sent back to the Dodgers on April 10.

Outfielders Aneury Tavárez and Anthony Santander were chosen in 2016. Tavárez was the early favorite to stick, but the Orioles passed him through waivers and gave him back to the Red Sox in spring training.

Pitcher Jason García stayed with the Orioles in 2014. Pitcher Logan Verrett did not, with the Rangers selecting him off waivers in spring training.

Roles haven't been outlined, but the assumption is that Sceroler and Wells will vie for spots in the bullpen despite their backgrounds as starters. The Orioles are in the market for a veteran who can be plugged into the rotation. The Rule 5 duo can be eased into major league life as low-leverage relievers.

The 40-man roster also includes outfielder/first baseman Chris Shaw - or first baseman/outfielder Chris Shaw - a waiver claim from the Giants who wasn't expected to join the party.

You just never know.

The Orioles won't touch their catchers when needing to create space, since they're down to only Pedro Severino and Chance Sisco. Austin Wynns cleared waivers and was outrighted.

There are eight outfielders, not including Shaw, but no apparent fat to trim.

Here's the 40-man roster:

Pitchers
Keegan Akin
Shawn Armstrong
Michael Baumann
Alex Cobb
Paul Fry
Ashton Goudeau
Hunter Harvey
Dean Kremer
Travis Lakins Sr.
Jorge López
Zac Lowther
Isaac Mattson
John Means
Mac Sceroler
Tanner Scott
Cole Sulser
Dillon Tate
César Valdez
Alexander Wells
Tyler Wells
Bruce Zimmermann

Catchers
Pedro Severino
Chance Sisco

Infielders
Rylan Bannon
Chris Davis
Richie Martin
Tyler Nevin
Rio Ruiz
Yolmer Sánchez
Chris Shaw
Ramón Urías
Pat Valaika

Outfielders
Yusniel Diaz
Austin Hays
Trey Mancini
Ryan McKenna
Ryan Mountcastle
Cedric Mullins
Anthony Santander
DJ Stewart

This could work. The Orioles could resist placing anyone else on the 40-man roster prior to the first day of camp. Leave it intact. Only minor league contracts and invites, like the one they gave reliever Fernando Abad.

Or they could revisit their commitment to Shaw or decide which pitcher is more likely to pass through waivers.

You just never know.