Some Orioles decisions harder than others

The Orioles won't really sink their teeth into their camp roster until they get closer to opening day. The first round of cuts was more like a nibble.

There are decisions to be made that are going to challenge them. Others shouldn't consume hours and run late into the night.

For example:

Easy: Outfielders Yusniel Diaz and Ryan McKenna head to the alternate camp site in April and await their major league debuts later in the summer.

The Orioles, meanwhile, celebrate their outfield depth that eventually is going to include 2020 first-round pick Heston Kjerstad.

It wasn't long ago that outfield prospects in the system were as common as pimiento loaf in upscale restaurants. DJ Stewart was a need pick in 2015, his position and advanced collegiate bat making him the choice.

The organization touted Rick Elder, Val Majewski, Xavier Avery, Jeff Fiorentino, Matt Angle, Kyle Hudson, Trent Mummey, Josh Hart, Kieron Pope, Keith Reed, Tim Raines Jr. and countless others.

(I stopped counting, but you may keep going.)

The return didn't match the hopes, hype and expectations. But that was the state of the organization.

The 2021 outfield is loaded with drafted-and-developed players: Stewart, Austin Hays, Cedric Mullins, Ryan Mountcastle, Trey Mancini (before moving back to first base). Anthony Santander was developed after being a Rule 5 selection from the Single-A Carolina League.

McKenna is a draft pick. Diaz was part of a five-player package acquired from the Dodgers for Manny Machado, a former first-rounder.

Hard: What to do with Bruce Zimmermann.

I'd keep him on the pitching staff and remain flexible in his usage. Make a start here, provide bulk innings in relief there.

His development shouldn't be hurt if he's held out of Triple-A Norfolk's rotation and a set routine of taking the ball every fifth or sixth day. And he can be optioned later if necessary. The door to the minors isn't locked and bolted.

Pitchers can grow at the major league level without being rushed, and Zimmermann looks like a guy capable of contributing in a few roles. Unless the wheels come off over the next few weeks, in which case he's only a phone call away.

Easy for me to say. But I'm not making these decisions.

Easy: Take a healthy Félix Hernández north and hope he can regain his value and become a trade chip in July.

His experience, leadership and potential to consume innings and reduce the stress on the younger pitchers are valuable assets. He can be designated for assignment later if he bombs. But give him some starts in the middle or back end of the rotation and see what happens.

He's also good for business. The name still carries some weight, even if he isn't Cy Young material anymore.

Hard: Thirteen versus 14 pitchers. Solid arguments can be made on both sides.

An extra arm makes sense with the season expanded from 60 to 162 games and the buildup of innings posing a risk. Starters won't be pushed early, if at all.

On the other hand, a sufficient number of long relievers - and the Orioles have plenty of guys capable of working multiple innings - could make 13 a lucky number and give manager Brandon Hyde a four-man bench.

The baton won't have to be passed as much, and carrying two super-utility players in reserve gives Hyde more flexibility and late-inning options.

Easy: Give Jorge López a locker at Camden Yards again and let circumstances dictate how he's used.

The No. 1 reason why it's easy? López is out of options, so sending him down requires passing him through waivers and he's already been claimed.

Or are López's spring statistics actually No. 1?

Check back later, after we learn how he followed up on his three scoreless innings in relief of Hernández.

Exclusion from the rotation would make López an important piece in the bullpen with his ability to provide coverage. And again, he's out of options, so the debate is briefer.

Easy: Making room on the 40-man roster for more than a couple of players on minor league deals seemed like a tall order heading into camp.

Reviewing the situation now, the Orioles could, in theory, return Rule 5 pitchers Mac Sceroler and Tyler Wells to their respective organizations and place first baseman Chris Davis on the 60-day injured list with a strained lower back.

Davis has played one game. He doesn't appear within a few days of rejoining the lineup. This is going to take time, as much as the Orioles choose.

So there's three potential spots for, let's say, veteran pitchers Hernández, Matt Harvey and Wade LeBlanc. Or two of them and reliever Fernando Abad, pitcher Thomas Eshelman or utility player Stevie Wilkerson.

Ashton Goudeau tossed two scoreless and hitless innings in North Port and Hyde likes him, but he's probably the most vulnerable pitcher besides the Rule 5 selections.

Hard: Deciding what to do with Kjerstad is complicated because the Orioles haven't gotten him on a field.

Any field.

Kjerstad eventually will make it to the alternate camp site in Bowie, skipping spring training in Florida, and the Orioles will instruct and evaluate. Maybe it becomes a much simpler task after a few weeks.

They could give him some early at-bats with one of the "complex league" entries. He could start at a higher rung of the ladder and report to low Class-A Delmarva.

Ask them today and "hard" is more like "impossible."

Easy: Option Jahmai Jones to Norfolk and play him every day at second base.

Don't bounce him between the infield and outfield. He's got to focus on second base, where he could start in the future. Let him learn without any distractions.

It's a simple process to convert him into a utility role. Let him shag fly balls in the outfield to get reacquainted with the position. Let him take some ground balls at third and short. But not now.

Besides, do the Orioles really need him in the outfield?

Yolmer Sánchez is the projected starter in 2021. Nothing more.

Hard: A team projected to lose a lot of games has very few unsettled positions, but third base is a bit out of focus.

Rio Ruiz entered camp as the favorite, but he's on the struggle bus. Rylan Bannon is probably going to be riding buses at Triple-A. Ramón Urías started at third yesterday. Tyler Nevin is going to play first base for the Tides, but perhaps could move across the diamond later.

(The Tides are going to be a blast to watch.)

Pat Valaika could get some action at third, but he's got to make the club.

The Orioles reportedly held some level of interest in Maikel Franco, and if true, they're obviously searching for potential upgrades. They could do so while passing on Franco as cuts are made.

Makes you wonder why it really matters if the won-loss record isn't a priority.

Easy: Reassign catcher Adley Rutschman to the Twin Lakes Park side, where he's hanging out part-time anyway, and wait for the Double-A season to start.

Rutschman wasn't going to make the team out of spring training. Ignore the noise. Let him keep developing and get at-bats and innings lost in 2020, beyond the camps set up to replace the minor league season.

I saved this one for last because of the "duh" factor.