SARASOTA – Players are being told in Orioles camp whether they made the club, including veterans who already should expect it based on stature and salary. The obvious calls also get the courtesy.

The Orioles aren’t ready to set their Opening Day roster. A few decisions remain, including whether Zach Eflin is coming to Baltimore and if they’re preparing for a six-man rotation or piggybacking.

Eflin didn’t allow a baserunner last night until the Yankees’ Jazz Chisholm Jr. doubled with two outs in the fifth. Eflin tossed 5 1/3 scoreless innings with one hit, no walks and seven strikeouts. He was stretched to 70 pitches, 47 strikes.

Lots could be read into it.

“He’s checked every box,” said manager Craig Albernaz.

“Last night was a big box for him. He threw the ball really well – understatement – but the thing for me was the first three innings, each inning ended on a PFP play where he had to cover first. And to me, just what he has been dealing with last year, to make those plays is very telling, especially the one with (Pete) Alonso and with the glove flip, because that was a quick reaction height, and for him to make that play was impressive. And also, for him to come out of it fine was great.

“He’s checked every box and we’ll see where we go.”

Eflin underwent back surgery in August, signed a $10 million contract with a mutual option four months later, and had to convince the club that he’d be ready on March 26. The ramp-up was slower than normal, but last night illustrated how much progress he’s made and the level of trust in his health that’s developed over time.

Albernaz isn’t going to show his hand, but he spoke in general terms this morning about piggybacking pitchers.

“That’s an interesting question,” Albernaz said, smiling at the intent.

This is Albernaz’s first managerial job in the majors, but it isn’t his first rodeo.

“I think there’s value to it, but also depends on both pitchers, depends on the team we’re facing. There’s a lot of variables that come into that,” he said.

“I think you can make a case that it could be impactful, but also, it could not be, as well. It just depends on the personnel.”

What about a six-man rotation? From a general and theoretical sense, of course.

“You guys are great,” Albernaz said with a laugh.

Albernaz relayed how the Guardians went to a six-man rotation last year “and it proved to be very impactful for us.”

“For the lens we did it through was to get one of the starters an extra day,” he said, “and then also, the younger starters, it gives them more time in between to actually do like a development bullpen and really have a high intensity, and it worked out well. And it’s the same thing. Depends on the pitchers, it depends on the bullpen construction, and then it also depends on the time of the year, as well.”

The bullpen certainly would be impacted by Eflin’s inclusion on the roster.

Ryan Helsley, Tyler Wells, Keegan Akin, Yennier Cano, Dietrich Enns and Rico Garcia should be a set six.

A reduction to seven relievers could leave the Orioles deciding whether they carry Grant Wolfram as a third lefty after he tossed seven scoreless innings, including the game against Team Netherlands, with one walk and 12 strikeouts.

Wolfram and Yaramil Hiraldo can be optioned. Albert Suárez and Jackson Kowar could be lost on waiver claims. Suárez has an opt-out clause in his minor league deal.