Questions linger for the Orioles beyond their managerial search and whether they hire a general manager this winter.

Should they have matched the Dodgers’ 10-year, $700 million offer for Shohei Ohtani?

OK, maybe not that one.

Here are three randomly chosen inquiries, with many more to come.

How will the Orioles jam their starters into a five-man rotation?

Let’s work under the assumption that a six-man is out until later in the summer, which is the usual tactic.

Kyle Bradish, Trevor Rogers and Dean Kremer would appear to be the locks to break camp as starters. Tyler Wells is an assumption based on president of baseball operations/general manager Mike Elias’ comment about his role at the season-ending press conference.

“This has always been a conversation with Tyler for years, because he's good at both, which is impressive,” Elias said. “Not a lot of people can do that, and he also just hasn't happened to have the innings load to get through a whole 170-to-180 (inning) season healthy as a starter, he hasn't proven he can do it at the major league level.

“Whether that's something he can control or not, I don't really know, but it just hasn't happened yet. So it's always a little bit tempting to have the reliever conversation with him. But if you got a guy that can start and be good as a starter, that's really valuable, and you always try to stick with that. That's the plan with Tyler.”

Grayson Rodriguez isn’t promised anything except spring training innings if he stays healthy after undergoing surgery to clean out his right elbow.

“I think he’s kind of an underdog, under-the-radar mentality right now, which is good, and I think he’s due for some good luck on the injury front after last year,” Elias said. “That said, we’re cognizant that he threw zero innings and finished 2024 hurt, so we’re going to have to plan with those realities in mind. But I’m bullish on the situation.”

Elias didn’t say whether Rodriguez was a possibility to pitch in relief. For now, we’ll regard him as a starter because that’s what he’s done in 43 major league games and 76 of 77 minor league games, the only bullpen work coming in the Gulf Coast League in 2018, the year he was drafted.

I’m counting five, and the Orioles are certain to sign or trade for at least one starter. I’d expect at least two.

Zach Eflin and Tomoyuki Sugano will enter free agency, but Cade Povich made 20 starts among 22 appearances this year, and Brandon Young made 12. Keegan Akin was an opener in three games, but he’s in the bullpen as long as the Orioles tender him a contract. Chayce McDermott made one start before moving into a relief role, where he’s expected to remain. Albert Suárez started once among his five appearances, and if he returns, he’s likely a swingman again.

Sixteen pitchers made starts this year, but the total also included Scott Blewett, Dietrich Enns and Rico Garcia as openers.

How will the Orioles handle starters returning from surgery?

This is aimed at Bradish and Wells, of course.

Teams are careful with every starter after breaking camp, easing them into a heavier workload, but Bradish and Wells underwent reconstructive elbow surgeries in June 2024. Bradish didn’t return until Aug. 26, 2025 and Wells a week later.

Getting six appearances and 32 innings out of Bradish and four appearances and 21 2/3 innings out of Wells gives them a head start on 2026. They can be built up in camp.

We won’t know the level of caution exhibited by the club until later.

Elias was asked about Bradish earlier this month.

“I think Bradish’s innings is something that we're going to have to keep an eye on, but I do think there's a way and a possibility to keep him up and running full season in a responsible way next year,” Elias said. “The platform that he's provided in terms of how many innings he's thrown and how those innings went this year were about as good as you would have hoped for coming off of the injury, so we feel like he's in a great spot.”

Can Tyler O’Neill hit another home run on Opening Day?

O’Neill must be in the lineup for it to count. He’s a lock if healthy because Opening Day is his jam.

O’Neill has homered in six straight openers to extend his major league record, the latest a three-run shot to right field in the third inning in his Orioles’ debut at Rogers Centre. José Berríos surrendered it, one of six homers from the visiting team.

“Oh, I mean, I saw it,” catcher Adley Rutschman said afterward. “Everyone kind of knew.”

The first four Opening Days of O’Neill’s historic streak came with the Cardinals, and he set the record last year with the Red Sox. The previous record was four by Todd Hundley (1994-97), Gary Carter (1977-80) and Yogi Berra (1955-58).

The Orioles begin the 2026 season at home on March 26 against the Twins. O’Neill is a career .151/.224/.358 hitter in 16 games against them, but he’s belted three home runs. I’m saying there’s a chance.