masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgOrioles executive vice president Dan Duquette said he expects the 25-man roster to go unchanged on opening day.
Last year, the Orioles designated reliever Ryan Webb for assignment and purchased catcher Ryan Lavarnway’s contract after setting the roster the previous day.
Duquette said the club looked at 10 or 12 available players this spring before setting its roster.
Manager Buck Showalter said Xavier Avery will play center field at Triple-A Norfolk and Julio Borbon will play center field at…

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette said he expects the 25-man roster to go unchanged on opening day.

Last year, the Orioles designated reliever Ryan Webb for assignment and purchased catcher Ryan Lavarnway’s contract after setting the roster the previous day.

Duquette said the club looked at 10 or 12 available players this spring before setting its roster.

xavier-avery-black-swing.jpgManager Buck Showalter said Xavier Avery will play center field at Triple-A Norfolk and Julio Borbon will play center field at Double-A Bowie.

My colleague, Steve Melewski, reported that first baseman Trey Mancini will open the season at Bowie.

Showalter spoke again today with Hyun Soo Kim and said the outfielder is in a good place, and he didn’t just mean Baltimore.

“He’s ready to go,” Showalter said.

(Showalter didn’t mean Norfolk.)

Showalter will reveal his opening day lineup to his players today before they leave the ballpark.

Asked whether he has any reservations about batting Rule 5 pick Joey Rickard first, Showalter replied, “Yes.” It’s obviously under consideration.

Showalter conceded that the lineup will be heavy in right-handed hitters, but he’s fine with it, noting how it works for the Blue Jays and prevents the opposition from using its left-handed relievers.

Vance Worley and Tyler Wilson will be available out of the bullpen for the first two games. Showalter hasn’t named a fifth starter.

Worley was told today only that he made the team and will begin the season in the bullpen. He has no idea whether he’ll crack the rotation.

The Orioles are hoping that left-hander Brian Matusz will be ready to come off the disabled list on April 10 and Kevin Gausman will come off the DL to make the April 19 start.

This is Showalter’s sixth opening day with the Orioles and the first without his mother, who passed away in October.

“I’ve picked up the phone three times to call her,” Showalter said.