Roster expansion is coming to a team near you.

The Orioles will go from 26 to 28 players on Tuesday. We still don’t know whether Blaze Alexander will be reinstated from the injured list beforehand, though it’s a possibility given how he’s played in three rehab games with Triple-A Norfolk – and at multiple positions in keeping with his utility-type role.

This team can go in so many different directions that it requires a GPS to track it properly.

Let’s say that Alexander returns before Tuesday. Which position player is brought up?

On the pitching side, reliever Félix Bautista is a possibility after beginning his rehab assignment Sunday at Double-A Chesapeake and resuming it last night with Triple-A Norfolk after a restful pause. He retired the side in order in his one inning and struck out one, and his sinker topped at 97.1 mph. However, we also don’t know whether the Orioles will wait until after Sept. 1 or how many appearances are required to satisfy them.

No other player on the injured list is an immediate consideration. Ryan Helsley is throwing in the bullpen. Tyler O’Neill has a strained rotator cuff and will be challenged to play again this season.

Left-hander Luis De León could debut in the majors next month because the Orioles moved him to Norfolk’s bullpen for one-inning stints with the sole purpose of making him a relief option for them. He tossed a scoreless seventh inning Wednesday with two strikeouts and his sinker topped at 97.4 mph.

In that same game, lefty Dietrich Enns was charged with two runs and four hits in two innings to leave his ERA at 6.46. He made 13 appearances with the Orioles this season after signing a $2.625 million contract with a club option. They outrighted him on May 31 and he didn’t come back.

Cade Povich tossed 5 2/3 scoreless innings with two hits and 11 strikeouts Tuesday night in Durham. The bullpen doesn’t have a long man after the Orioles designated Albert Suárez for assignment again. They might seek some length.

Suárez upheld a tradition by signing another minor league deal and reporting to Norfolk, and he allowed an unearned run in 2 1/3 innings last night.

Yaramil Hiraldo broke camp with the team and has multiple stints, which puts him on the list of possibilities if it’s just about getting an extra arm.

An extra catcher was a given back in the days when expanded rosters could hold up to 40 players. The Orioles already are carrying three and Yohel Pozo has been in the lineup only three times this month.

You may see him on a billboard before a lineup card.

Infielder/outfielder Jeremiah Jackson is a possibility if there’s room for him. Luis Vázquez had his contract selected Wednesday because he was on the taxi squad. No idea whether this is a long-term relationship.

The most interesting question remains whether the Orioles will recall Heston Kjerstad for the first time this season or Enrique Bradfield Jr. for the first time in his career. One is able to supply power. The other brings plus-speed and defense, though Bradfield hit his third home run Wednesday and it left his bat at 104 mph.

Bradfield had three more hits last night.

O’Neill’s injury could make an extra outfielder more appealing. The Orioles didn’t have a backup middle infielder until Vázquez’s arrival, but Alexander can play anywhere. He’s the extra outfielder and infielder.

Meanwhile, the Orioles make a return trip to Sacramento after losing two of three in June 2025. Brandon Young, Shane Baz and Chris Bassitt are the starters.

Of course, the Athletics are listing TBA because opponents suddenly hate to commit too early.

Young faced the Athletics last season in Baltimore and allowed six runs and six hits in three innings to raise his ERA to 6.70. He hasn’t experienced the thrill of standing on the mound at Sutter Health Park.

The Athletics are 25-41 in Sacramento and 28-40 on the road. Their minus-185 run differential is the worst in baseball and it ain’t close.

They were 38-38 before losing 18 of 21. They have losing streaks of 10 and nine games. But in a crazy season, they just took two of three from the Astros and the Twins.

Pitching seems to be the crisis point. They have a 5.46 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and .270 opponent average that ranked last in the American League yesterday and 29th in the majors. The Rockies were 30th at 5.53, 1.52 and 2.88, and the Orioles get them next.

The rotation has a 5.35 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and .268 opponent average – also last in the AL and 29th in the majors after the Rockies. The bullpen’s 5.64 ERA was last in the majors.