Which relievers are returning to Orioles in 2022?

Are there any guaranteed returns among Orioles relievers beyond Rule 5 pick Tyler Wells?

Is it weird that Wells is the first and perhaps only mention?

This is quite the commentary on Wells, who emerged as the most likely closer candidate next spring, and the state of the bullpen.

Left-handers Paul Fry and Tanner Scott are eligible for arbitration and projected by MLBTradeRumors.com to make $1.1 million and $1 million, respectively. Teams expressed interest in both relievers at the trade deadline. Fry took a severe nosedive due to his command issues, was optioned and didn't return.

Fry could be viewed as a non-tender candidate, but I'm expecting both left-handers to make it to Sarasota, Fla., for spring training. Scott, for sure. But I'm separating him from Wells because the Orioles would be more tempted to move him in the right offer.

Cole Sulser also is questionable based purely on his attractiveness to other teams, which is an interesting development after he lost the closer's job in 2020 due to his high walk total.

Sulser posted a 2.05 ERA in 30 games following the All-Star break, the sixth-lowest in the American League (minimum 30 games). Left-handers hit .186 (21-for-113) against him, the sixth-lowest mark among qualified right-handed pitchers in the American League. His 2.70 ERA was the lowest among Orioles relievers with a minimum of 60 games since Zack Britton (0.54) in 2016. He averaged 10.4 strikeouts per nine innings.

Other teams noticed, too.

Having three options remaining and still short of arbitration eligibility also make Sulser appealing. Put it all together and the Orioles seem likely to keep him for a bullpen that really needs him. However, his value has never been higher and no one is untouchable. Plop him in the group that's expected to stay but can't be guaranteed based on potential chip status.

The Orioles really like Dillon Tate's arm and keep working to make him more consistent. He figures to be included in the opening day bullpen, but with two options left, a poor spring could send him to Triple-A Norfolk. I like his odds but won't make any promises.

Jorge López could come to camp competing for a job in the rotation, but a relief role seems like a better fit. I see him as a power reliever in the middle innings, which need to be covered with so many short starts coming from the rotation, or as a late-inning weapon. But he's projected to earn $1.5 million in arbitration, which makes him a non-tender candidate.

I think he's worth the raise if used properly. That upper-90s heat in shorter spurts can be lethal. That's exactly the kind of arm that the Orioles should be seeking in free agency, and it could cost more on the market. But again, no promises.

A healthy spring training probably puts Hunter Harvey on the opening day roster, but no one can feel comfortable that it's going to happen. They can only hope.

The 40-man roster currently includes Marcos Diplán, Conner Greene, Eric Hanhold, Joey Krehbiel, Brooks Kriske, Isaac Mattson and Spenser Watkins, but the Orioles need to keep hacking away at it to make room for five players coming off the 60-day injured list, prospects protected in the Rule 5 draft and probably two players who will be selected on the final day of the Winter Meetings, if the event is held.

Keegan Akin, Mike Baumann, Bruce Zimmermann, Chris Ellis, Zac Lowther, Dean Kremer and Alexander Wells are starters who could get bullpen consideration if failing to make the rotation, though a few of them seem more likely to join Norfolk's staff to further their development in their projected roles.

Travis Lakins Sr., outrighted off the 40-man roster, is supposed to be ready for spring training after undergoing surgery to repair a stress fracture in his elbow.

Fernando Abad is a pending free agent who will test the market again after signing a minor league deal on Dec. 21.

As I sit here this morning, I'm projecting a bullpen that includes Tyler Wells, Fry, Scott, Sulser and Tate. But I'm also assuming they don't pitch their way to Norfolk in March.

I'm endorsing López but am not willing to chip in for his salary. If he's non-tendered, the Orioles could attempt to negotiate a deal at a lower cost. I think he stays.

At least one of the failed starter candidates could land in the 'pen. Baumann is a good example, with some talent evaluators in the industry thinking he's destined to become a late-inning reliever. But the Orioles might want to keep developing him as a starter.

* Second baseman Greg Cullen went 1-for-2 with three RBIs yesterday for the Mesa Solar Sox in the Arizona Fall League.

Batting ninth again, Cullen had two sacrifice flies in a game won by Mesa 7-4 over the Desert Dogs. He was the only Orioles minor leaguer to appear.

Cullen, one of the players to be named later in the Tommy Milone trade with the Braves, is batting .280 with a .975 OPS. He'll be exposed in the Rule 5 draft if omitted from the 40-man roster.

The Orioles have so many players to protect, it seems highly unlikely that he makes it.

Outfielder Yusniel Diaz didn't play again yesterday due to a sore left shoulder.