What roster spots are up for grabs?

Assuming health, as many as 18 of the Orioles’ 26 season-opening roster spots could already be considered locked up. The competition for the ones remaining should be fierce.

Although it’s unclear whether either will be Baltimore’s opening day starter, Gibson and Irvin will occupy two of the Orioles’ rotation spots. With executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias saying the team plans to have a five-man rotation, that leaves three positions for a group of 10 candidates.

Kyle Bradish, Dean Kremer, Tyler Wells and Austin Voth all had long stretches of effectiveness in the Orioles’ 2022 rotation. Elias has said frequently that Grayson Rodriguez, the organization’s top pitching prospect and one of the best in baseball, will have every chance to earn a starting spot this spring, and fellow pitching prospect DL Hall could also crack the group with a strong camp.

It’s expected that some of the starting candidates who fall short of the rotation wind up in the bullpen, where Givens joins closer Félix Bautista, Dillon Tate, Cionel Pérez and Bryan Baker as the players whose performance in 2022 likely lands them on the roster. Keegan Akin and Joey Krehbiel, who followed strong first halves with troublesome second halves, will also compete for spots alongside Politi and the numerous nonroster invitees.

Rutschman and McCann will be Baltimore’s catchers if healthy, but there’s seemingly a spot available in both the infield and outfield. Ryan Mountcastle is back at first base, and Frazier will be part of an infield rotation that also features top overall prospect Gunnar Henderson and two strong defenders in Jorge Mateo and Ramón Urías. Many of the Orioles’ offseason moves brought players who could potentially be left-handed complements to Mountcastle, with Díaz, O’Hearn and Cordero each having a path to the roster, while Terrin Vavra, a natural second baseman, spent the offseason training at first base to become a part of the competition, as well.

Cedric Mullins, Anthony Santander and Austin Hays are back as Baltimore’s primary* outfielders, with Ryan McKenna’s role as a defensive replacement, pinch-runner and full-in starter also set to be reprised. But the Orioles are looking for a left-handed bat here, as well, with Kyle Stowers up against Cordero, Mazara and O’Hearn for the job.