SARASOTA, Fla. – Zach Eflin threw another live batting practice earlier today on the Camden Yards replica field. He faced seven batters in his simulated inning, as the Orioles execute a gradual ramp up of the veteran starter.

Heston Kjerstad, Tyler O’Neill and José Barrero struck out. Only one ball was hit hard, a line drive single into right field from Enrique Bradfield Jr.

Questions remain about Eflin’s availability for Opening Day following August back surgery. He feels good.

Is that enough to get him on the 26-man roster?

Shane Baz had two ups. In his first inning, he struck out Creed Willems and Reed Trimble, a called third strike that made the young outfielder playfully tap his helmet for a challenge.

The Orioles’ listed pitchers today are Dean Kremer, Tyler Wells, Yennier Cano, Chayce McDermott, Dietrich Enns, Yaramil Hiraldo, Levi Wells, Jeisson Cabrera and Richard Guasch.

Kremer is getting an early start because he’s leaving camp to pitch for Team Israel in the World Baseball Classic and the Orioles want him to have the proper work.

“That’s the beauty of Team Israel. It’s so great that they identified Kremer as being one of their starters so we can prepare and he also can prepare in the offseason to go,” said manager Craig Albernaz.

“Allows us in live BPs to get him built up quicker than usual and then also get him in games and get him built up quicker than usual because we want to do right by Dean, and we also want to do right by Team Israel since they gave us the heads-up. We want to make sure he’s ready to go pitch and put on a show for them.”

Today’s extras from minor league camp include pitchers Ben Vespi, Micah Ashman, Daniel Lloyd and Carter Rustad, catcher Colin Tuft, infielders Jaiden Lo Re and Griff O’Ferrall, and outfielders Nate George, RJ Austin and Thomas Sosa.

Kyle Bradish starts Sunday’s game against the Tigers in Lakeland, and Cade Povich starts Monday against the Braves in Sarasota. Detroit is starting former Orioles right-hander Jack Flaherty.

Trey Gibson had a starter’s workload yesterday out of the bullpen, covering the last three innings in a 2-0 win over the Yankees.

Gibson, the organization’s minor league Pitcher of the Year, earned the nine-out save with two hits allowed, no walks and three strikeouts – all of them on his slider. He also threw his sinker, topping at 93.2 mph, cutter, sweeper and curveball.

“Felt great to get the work in,” said Gibson, ranked by Baseball America as the system’s No. 3 prospect. “Been built up all offseason for this moment for spring training.”

Gibson, 23, pitched at three levels last year, getting his best results at Double-A Chesapeake with a 1.55 ERA, 0.898 WHIP and 68 strikeouts in 52 1/3 innings. His last seven starts came with Triple-A Norfolk, where he posted a 7.98 ERA and 1.807 WHIP in 29 1/3 innings. He struck out 31.

Of course, he’s still got work to do before being ready to debut in the majors. He’s concentrating on the sinker, making it his primary fastball to right-handers. And there’s also commanding the “death ball,” a high-80s breaking pitch with serious vertical break that he likes to use with two strikes or whenever he needs a whiff.

“A lot of just try to be in the zone more, be ahead of hitters,” he said.

The four-seam fastball is in Gibson’s arsenal, but he didn’t think it was the right spot yesterday.

“I was getting ground balls a lot on the sinker early in counts. I felt like it was time to just stick with that,” he said.

“Moving forward, still keeping the four-seam in the bag.”

Gibson has gone from undrafted free agent to the Orioles’ top pitching prospect. It’s an inspiring journey.

He wouldn’t change it for an easier path.

“I’m very grateful for the road that I’ve been down,” he said. “This is pretty awesome, being able to play baseball like this. It’s pretty nice.”

So how close is he to the majors?

“I’d say I’m on the right track right now,” he replied. “Feel pretty good with where I’m at, but I’ve always got to be where my feet are, so I’m not trying to think too big, too far ahead like that. Just talking with the coaches, doing what they feel is best for me and going along with that.”