The Orioles were forced to play with a thin bench last night. Tyler O’Neill worked out on the field but is recovering from an illness. Adley Rutschman was scratched from last night’s lineup with a sore left ankle.

Thank goodness for Blaze Alexander, who can or is willing to play anywhere and also would enter the Hot Dog Race if allowed.

Let’s make the mailbag a little thinner this morning.

You ask, I try to answer, and we have the latest sequel to the beloved 2009 original.

I had to edit some posted lineups the past two days, but that’s it. No tampering with clarity, length, style, brevity or levity.

Also, my mailbag wears the green jacket at Augusta and your mailbag wears brown shoes with a tux.

Consensus seems to be that “Coby Mayo has nothing left to prove at the AAA level” and that he’s overmatched in the majors. He’s not the first player to find himself in that situation but what’s to be done? It’s not a question of lack of talent or work ethic with Coby, and he’s only 24. My question is whether he’s ever enrolled in one of those Mental Skills Clinics that are tailored to ballplayers.
The Orioles employ mental performance and mental skills coaches. I haven’t heard anything about him going to a clinic. He was very good in September and dominant in spring training. I understand why a slow start this season is magnified after his past struggles, but it’s early. He had 30 at-bats going into the weekend. He had more walks (six) than hits (four), which can be spun as a positive about the quality of some plate appearances. He’s hit some balls hard that became outs. I don’t think it would be fair to pin the “overmatched” label on him at this age and stage of his career.

If we’re like 15-16 May 1, does Alby lose his job?
Only if he’s caught selling City Connect jerseys from his trunk. Of course not. You don’t hire a new manager and give him 31 games. Alby has immediately addressed some mental lapses, speaking with players in the dugout tunnel. Guys respect him. They’re working hard. It’s a tight clubhouse. Also, you probably weren’t serious.

How long is the leash with Colton Cowser? Does he have any options remaining? Would the performance of Enrique Bradfield or Heston Kjerstad affect the Orioles’ decisions about the roster?
You ask a lot of questions for a guy from New Jersey (RIP Gilda). Cowser has two options left. The Orioles could use one if they need roster space and he isn’t hitting, though they value his defense. He isn’t promised a full season. It’s too soon for Bradfield, and Kjerstad is injured, so we’d be talking much further down the road for them to be an influence. It’s more about how Cowser is producing and, perhaps, whether a player returning sooner from the IL could create a counter move involving him. I hate to keep beating the “it’s early” drum, but I’m going all Neil Peart on you, as well. Cowser went into the weekend with 22 at-bats. I’m aware of his spring training numbers, but the leash is longer than that.

Does Albernaz throw batting practice?
Yes. He did it in spring training and he does it in the regular season. He threw to Group 1 while a coach with the Giants and Guardians. The hitting coaches wanted him to do it. “I love throwing BP, I always did,” he said yesterday. “I’m a willing and able-bodied man, so I can do some things, even though I’m the manager.”

Why is there air?
For the internet trolls to waste it. Same goes for space.

How much work is Miguel Cairo putting in daily with Coby Mayo?
I can’t share an exact schedule, but Mayo does plenty of early work with Cairo and Buck Britton. It isn’t always visible to the media, like those sessions with John Mabry at first base, but they’re happening.

Is the cold start for the Polar Bear a problem yet?
Only in that the offense could use a boost and Pete Alonso is expected to provide it. And he will. He’s expanding his strike zone but knows it and can correct it. No one in the organization is worried about Alonso. And no one is more frustrated than Alonso, as he voiced after Friday night’s game.

What did Kremer do to find himself in the doghouse?
Well, there’s the time that he used Jerry’s apartment key and Jerry got annoyed and …

What did Dean Kremer do to find himself in the Orioles’ doghouse?
He isn’t. Please trust me on this. Kremer didn’t get optioned because the team was punishing him. He wasn’t bypassed for an early promotion because the team was upset with him. He did nothing wrong. He had to make a few starts in Triple-A before being ready. The timing of Zach Eflin’s elbow surgery, for example, didn’t line up. It won’t be much longer before Kremer is in the majors again. Giddy-up.

Any updates on Keegan Akin?
Akin is in Sarasota and getting closer to the start of a rehab assignment. The groin strain is gone. Now it’s about throwing and building up his arm.

What kind of impression has first base coach and outfield instructor Jason Bourgeois made on you?
A super nice guy. Had a great chat with him in spring training for a story on his work with Colton Cowser in center field. But beyond my interactions, he’s a creative guy with his methods for instruction, like hitting tennis balls with a racket to his outfielders in a spring training drill. For yesterday’s early on-field baserunning work, Bourgeois set up a large screen between first and second base to provide a visual for some players, including Blaze Alexander, to practice their lead sizes and jumps. It’s tough to replicate without an actual pitcher, so this is the next-best thing. Clever, right? Albernaz has seen it done in weight rooms on the turf area and in batting cages, but never on the field. His response to Bourgeois’ idea: “Yeah, go ahead. Do what you’ve got to do. As long as there’s power.” Albernaz also told us, “I don’t know how he got power. It’s a long electrical cord.”

Is the top MLB draft prospect Roch Cholowsky named after you? Did you spend time near Vallejo, California 21-22 years ago?
This feels like an episode of Maury. We are not related. I have never been to Vallejo. And he won’t return my calls.

I’m not saying they don’t exist, but can you please provide an example of Pete Alonso’s clubhouse leadership? Just one.
Alonso met with a handful of reporters at his locker after Friday night’s game. Long after the final out. He could have ducked us or showed some frustration at having to talk to us. Instead, he notified us that he was ready and to follow him, and he didn’t mince words. He gave honest answers. He came across as a total pro, and one who played in New York. “I think that’s probably the biggest example of his leadership, where he knows he’s not producing the way he want and he holds himself to a high standard,” Albernaz said yesterday. “And for us as a coaching staff and myself in this position is to hold them accountable to that standard, and sometimes you have to answer tough questions after a game, and I can relate to that. With him being able to stand up there in the clubhouse with his teammates around and answer those tough questions, it shows a lot of leadership and it shows a lot of accountability.”

What’s your favorite item, if any, that you’ve had the opportunity to try from the Truist Club?
I got the tour but didn’t sample the cuisine. And media is strictly prohibited from entering. There’s a sign outside the press box.

Any idea why we brought Nick Raquet in down two against a potent lineup when we have Cade Povich in the ‘pen? The only thing I can guess is that Povich is getting a start in Zach Eflin’s place, but otherwise, that move is baffling!
Povich is starting later today. You fell behind. I shared the probables on Wednesday. But that’s OK. Raquet is on the roster, so he’s got to pitch. Other relievers were down. Grant Wolfram is the only other lefty reliever.

What’s the plan for Dean Kremer?
We’re waiting for an update, whether the Orioles are putting him in the rotation or giving him another start with Norfolk. They have 13 games in 13 days, so they need five starters. Povich is No. 5 today.

Clubhouse reactions to the new City Connects?
Everyone I asked gave a favorable response. Guys who played here last year think they’re an upgrade. The newbies love the ode to Camden Yards, including brick trim and the patch that resembles the home run plaques on Eutaw Street. They love how green and cream are part of the color scheme. But they better start winning in them. Opinions can change if they spot a trend.

Who’s the next player that we should expect to be extended (besides Rico, of course)?
Thanks for playing along. I’ve gone over some candidates but also mentioned how it’s so hard to predict because the first two were way outside the box. Samuel Basallo was in the majors for five days, and Shane Baz hadn’t thrown a pitch for the Orioles. Does that make it less likely that the Orioles can reach an agreement with Gunnar Henderson or Adley Rutschman? Do they think highly enough of Dylan Beavers, who is closer to the Basallo-Beavers model? Jordan Westburg’s health history hurts. Jackson Holliday makes sense if healthy, which he will be, and hitting like a one-one, which he’s expected to do. Trevor Rogers is a pending free agent who could be in line for a sweet payday. He also credits the Orioles for saving his career, and he loves it here, so there’s that.

Only three teams in the American League currently having winning records means Orioles fans shouldn’t worry about the 6-7 start to the season, right?
You are correct, sir. But start to worry if it’s 66-77.

Which is more important to a power hitter, bat speed or exit velocity, or is there a direct correlation between the two?
High bat speed, along with solid contact and good swing mechanics, will increase the exit velocity. It’s all important.

How does the ABS system work? Does the strike zone adjust for each batter? Does MLB have checks in place to verify the equipment is accurate?
Each player was measured for it before the season. That led to the discussion between Kevin Brown and myself on a MASN spring training broadcast about people shrinking over the course of the day. That’s why measurements were done in the morning. Yes, there’s shrinkage. #SeinfeldCallback

In recent games, it appears that Craig Albernaz isn’t shy about putting Colton Cowser or Tyler O’Neill on the bench. If Dylan Beavers continues to excel in center field, could you foresee Alby putting O’Neill and the Milkman in a platoon situation in right?
Everything is on the table. I think you’ll still see plenty of Beavers in right. Let me try that again. I think you’ll still see Beavers get plenty of starts in right. Albernaz likes being able to move around some guys. There’s value in versatility. I don’t expect a straight platoon, but positions can be shared.

If Nick Raquet pitches better, will he ask that his nickname become “Full Metal Raquet?”
That would be “Full Metal rah-KAY,” and this seems like a good place to stop.

The O’s outfield is beginning to resemble an episode of “Leave it to Beaver” with Taylor Ward as Ward Cleaver and Dylan Beavers as Theodore Cleaver. Does that make Leody Taveras Wally Cleaver? Colton Cowser Eddie Haskell? Tyler O’Neill Lumpy Rutherford? Asking for June Cleaver.
This is definitely a good place to stop.