Spring training stars, the roster and the menu

The games that don't count have ended. The Orioles are working out today at Camden Yards and opening the 2016 season on Monday afternoon against the Twins.

With so much angst over the Hyun Soo Kim situation and the rotation, let's pause to reflect on pitcher Dylan Bundy and shortstop J.J. Hardy getting through camp healthy and productive. Those are important achievements.

We haven't been given a firm innings limit for Bundy out of the bullpen. Manager Buck Showalter indicated that Bundy could get some starts in the second half. Just get him through the year without any trips to the disabled list and stretch him out enough to compete for a rotation spot in 2017, which is where he really belongs.

Jonathan Schoop batted .349/.379/.571 with four home runs and 12 RBIs in 63 at-bats. He's got the potential to be an absolute beast near the bottom of the order, and plenty of folks in baseball think he's Gold Glove worthy at second base - including the guy sitting in the manager's office at Camden Yards.

Rule 5 pick Joey Rickard was spring training's brightest star with a .397/.472/.571 slash line, a team-leading 25 hits - three more than runner-up Schoop - six doubles, eight walks, five stolen bases and 15 runs scored.

If Schoop hit a quiet .349, what was the volume on Ryan Flaherty's .333 average? He also posted a .473 on-base percentage and .500 slugging percentage in 25 games and 42 at-bats.

Xavier Avery survived Friday night's roster cuts and made the final 26 by going 10-for-32 with two doubles, a triple, four home runs, eight RBIs and 10 walks. He's a career .223 hitter with one home run in 94 at-bats, his only major league duty coming with the Orioles in 2012.

The Orioles traded Avery, a former second-round pick, to the Mariners on Aug. 30, 2013 for Michael Morse. He also was in the Tigers, Giants and Twins organizations, all of them last year, before the Orioles signed him to a minor league deal in December.

Shortstop Paul Janish had to be a difficult cut for the Orioles. He always brings stellar defense, but he also hit .294 with a .373 on-base percentage in 51 at-bats.

No major league clubs stepped forward and offered him a spot on the 25-man roster, enabling the Orioles to reassign him to Triple-A Norfolk. He's got multiple opt-out dates on his contract, increasing the challenge of keeping him in the organization through the season.

Nolan Reimold was batting .150/.227/.200 with no home runs and two RBIs in 40 at-bats over 13 games. He finished with a .269/.356/.481 slash line, three home runs and eight RBIs in 52 at-bats over 18 games.

The Orioles must set their opening day roster by noon today. One player will be removed if no one else is brought in from the outside.

Does it come down to Avery or Kim? Here's the current roster:

Pitchers
Chris Tillman
Yovani Gallardo
Ubaldo Jimenez
Mike Wright
Zach Britton
Darren O'Day
Brad Brach
Mychal Givens
Dylan Bundy
T.J. McFarland
Tyler Wilson
Vance Worley

Catchers
Matt Wieters
Caleb Joseph

Infielders
Chris Davis
Jonathan Schoop
J.J. Hardy
Manny Machado
Pedro Alvarez
Ryan Flaherty

Outfielders
Adam Jones
Mark Trumbo
Joey Rickard
Nolan Reimold
Hyun Soo Kim
Xavier Avery

Showalter has been seeking opinions from his regulars on whether Rickard should bat leadoff or ninth. Is it too soon to put the Rule 5 kid atop the order?

The Orioles and their concessionaire, Delaware North, have made several additions to the food offerings at the ballpark, highlighted by the following:

Jalapeno Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dog: Deep-fried ESSKAY hot dog wrapped in jalapeno bacon with American cheese.

Smoked Brisket BBQ Sandwich: Slow-smoked Angus brisket with house-made BBQ sauce and tobacco onions.

Spicy Chicken Chipper: House-made Yukon gold kettle chips with smoked Buffalo-style pulled chicken, blue cheese dressing, and diced celery.

The High Heater Burger: Two fresh beef patties with sautéed jalapenos, pepper jack cheese, smoked bacon, and chipotle aioli.

Roma Chorizo Sausage: Fresh chorizo sausage with tequila lime caramelized onions and cotija cheese.

Who's hungry?