SARASOTA – The Orioles are working to pare their roster to the required 26 players for Opening Day, with two more cuts yesterday getting them down to 49. The list includes relievers Félix Bautista and Colin Selby, who are on the 60-day injured list. Infielders Jackson Holliday, Jordan Westburg and reliever Andrew Kittredge also will be health-related subtractions.

So let’s really call it 44.

The roster also includes players who left for the World Baseball Classic and are trickling back into camp. Dean Kremer is waiting to make another start after his 4 1/3 scoreless innings for Team Israel. Outfielder Enrique Bradfield Jr. entertained fans with his bunting skills and lightning speed while playing for Team Panama, before the Orioles reassigned him to minor league camp.

Gunnar Henderson remains with Team USA after his home run Sunday night produced a 1-1 tie in the fourth inning in a 2-1 victory over the Dominican Republic. He’s the last Oriole still marked absent.  

Tyler O’Neill returned from Team Canada and lined a two-run single into right field Sunday night before rain forced a stoppage in the top of the third inning. The statistics apparently don’t count, even in a meaningless spring training game,

O’Neill was 7-for-11 with three RBIs before facing Yankees starter Paul Blackburn. He appreciated yesterday when I told him that I’m counting his hit and the two RBIs. I mean, it happened. I saw it.

We got a laugh out of it.

Anyway, infielder Luis Vázquez and relievers Rico Garcia and Jose Espada have returned from Team Puerto Rico with their hair bleached blonde, a symbol of unity, brotherhood and national pride originating in 2017. Garcia and Espada have each tossed three scoreless innings with four strikeouts for the Orioles. Vázquez is one of the contenders for a utility job, with his plus defense maybe providing an edge over other infielders.

“It was a unique experience,” Vázquez said yesterday via interpreter Brandon Quinones. “I think it was a dream come true. It was an unforgettable experience and I think to be able to play in the Classic in our home country in front of our people, in front of our fans, was something truly special and something I’ll never forget.”

Vázquez went 1-for-3 in three games, but he also was put at multiple positions, as the Orioles would do to get him ready and to evaluate. He doesn’t think the time away from camp hurt him.

“The goal was the play for Puerto Rico and try to win for Puerto Rico, but at the same time understanding there was a preparation for the season,” he said. “I was able to play second, short and third, so I was able to move around the diamond, get a few at-bats to help me prepare. And you know, always in the back of my mind knowing that I was trying to prepare for the season ahead.”

A switch must be flipped to get back into spring training mode and a completely different level of intensity.

Facing Italy in the quarterfinals doesn’t have the same feel as, for instance, playing the Tigers today in Lakeland.

“At the same time, it’s motivation to want to do what it takes to get back to playing in front of fans in that way,” he said. “We’re sad that we couldn’t get it done for Puerto Rico and for our fans, but really excited to be here again and ready to go for the season.”

Vázquez appeared in 32 games with the Orioles last season and went 8-for-50 (.160) with a .448 OPS. But yeah, the defense. It’s really good, which prompted the Orioles to sign him to a major league contract on Oct. 30 – before outrighting him a month later – and they might value it more than an offensive presence, though Vázquez is 3-for-10 with two doubles and three RBIs this spring.

“I think I signed here for a reason, even before the Holliday and Westburg injuries,” he said. “I think they know what I’m capable of, what I’m capable of providing, and I feel confident what I’m able to do, as well. So I’m looking forward to going out there and putting in the work and being ready to go.”