Organizational depth snagged the headlines again yesterday.

Well, it warranted the only social media posts from the Orioles except for the new alternate cap that went on sale at the Team Store at Camden Yards - black with an orange bill and orange script “B,” the same letter logo from the club’s City Connect uniform.

Right-hander Hans Crouse, 27, signed a minor league contract after missing most of the 2025 season with a torn lat muscle.

When Crouse wasn't busy with his side gig as a villain in “Die Hard,” he was posting a 2.84 ERA in 25 relief appearances with the Angels in 2024. He walked 17 batters and struck out 34 in 25 2/3 innings. In 29 games with Triple-A Salt Lake, Crouse registered a 2.27 ERA with 13 walks and 59 strikeouts in 31 2/3.

The Rangers drafted Crouse in the second round in 2017 out of Dana Hills (Cal.) High School. He was included with Kyle Gibson and Ian Kennedy in a 2021 deadline trade to the Phillies, made two starts and allowed four runs with seven walks and two strikeouts in seven innings.

A biceps injury held him to only five starts with Triple-A Lehigh Valley in 2022. The lat tear this year led to his release in April after only two appearances with Salt Lake.

Crouse was primarily a sinker-slider-changeup pitcher with the Angels in 2024, shelving a four-seam fastball that averaged 92.8 mph in ’21. He could start for Triple-A Norfolk, work in relief or bounce back and forth from rotation to bullpen.

Among the Tides starting candidates are Trey Gibson, Nestor German, Cameron Weston, Levi Wells and possibly Cade Povich and Brandon Young if they aren’t on the major league roster.

The Orioles haven’t revealed their spring training invites but Crouse will be in camp. So will pitchers Albert Suárez and Josh Walker, catchers Sam Huff, Maverick Handley and Silas Ardoin, infielders Luis Vázuez and José Barrero,  infielder/outfielder Ryan Noda and outfielders Enrique Bradfield Jr., Jhonkensy Noel and Will Robertson. And that’s just a sampling. There will be others, including the non-roster starting candidates mentioned above, reporting to the Ed Smith Stadium complex.

The first report date for spring training is Feb. 9 for pitchers and catchers participating in the World Baseball Classic. The remaining pitchers and catchers are due Feb. 11. WBC position players report on the 12^th and the rest on the 16^th.

We’re still waiting to find out which starting pitcher will be signed or acquired in a trade. The Orioles made an aggressive push for Ranger Suárez before he joined the Red Sox. They’re still linked to Framber Valdez and Zac Gallen.

There may not  be a more interesting storyline in camp than the composition of the rotation. How the Orioles decide on five starters, whether Zach Eflin is ready for Opening Day, which starters could shift to the bullpen.

President of baseball operations/general manager Mike Elias probably has at least one more move left for the ‘pen. Where he stands with the roster will be one of the first questions asked if he's available at the Birdland Caravan. I’d make it No. 1, with heavy emphasis on his pursuit of another starter.

Elias didn’t commit to finding a utility player from outside the organization when asked at the Winter Meetings. He mentioned Jeremiah Jackson as an internal candidate. But we don’t know whether the roster has room if the Orioles carry both Ryan Mountcastle and Coby Mayo.

What happens with the first base duo also ranks highly on the interest scale. Do they both report to camp, do they make the Opening Day roster, could one of them be dealt for a pitcher before spring training? All valid questions.

If Mayo stays, is he going to take fly balls in the outfield corners? Does he also get work again at third base? The Orioles showed no interest in putting him back on the hot corner as 2025 progressed, but circumstances change. So do managers and coaches.

We’ll also find out if the Orioles are committed to Colton Cowser in center field. He’s the apparent starter as we move through January.

Exhibition games eventually could reveal who’s going to bat leadoff on Opening Day, though we’re warned about reading too much into Grapefruit League lineups. Albernaz doesn’t have Steven Kwan on this roster.

Jackson Holliday, Gunnar Henderson and Taylor Ward are three of the candidates. Dylan Beavers’ on-base skills also make him a consideration when he’s in the lineup.

The guess here is that Holliday moves down in the order.

The reality here is that it’s much too early.

Note: Outfielders Carlos Beltrán and Andruw Jones were elected last night to the Hall of Fame. Beltran received 84.2 percent of the votes and Jones 78.4. 

Jones needed nine years on the ballot before voters finally got it right. 

Inductees must garner 75 percent. Chase Utley had the highest total with 59.1 among players who didn't make it.

Orioles outfielder Nick Markakis received one vote, from former Baltimore Sun colleague Dan Connolly. 

I wrote previously that it was one of the weakest ballots in recent memory. I picked three players - Beltrán, Jones and closer Francisco Rodríguez (11.8 percent). I considered four at the most. 

Former Oriole Jake Arrieta is eligible next year.