SARASOTA – The Orioles made two significant cuts today that impact the competition for final bullpen spots.

Cameron Foster and Anthony Nunez were optioned to minor league camp. Catcher Silas Ardoin, outfielder Jud Fabian and right-handers Cameron Weston and Jean Carlos Henriquez were reassigned.

The major league side is down to 60 players.

Foster and Nunez each tossed a scoreless inning today against the Blue Jays. Foster walked his first batter and struck out the next three. Nunez allowed a hit and struck out two.

Both relievers will carry 0.00 ERAs out of the Ed Smith Stadium complex. Foster allowed two hits, walked two and struck out five over five innings. Nunez, a converted infielder, allowed three hits, walked none and struck out six.

Their velocity climbed into the upper 90s, which also intrigued but didn’t earn them jobs with the team. They could make their debuts later this summer.

Asked about Foster after the game, manager Craig Albernaz said, “The stuff, the deception is real. That’s something where it’s tough to quantify, but the ball just jumps on the hitter. And when he’s right, he’s landing his off-speed in zone to keep guys honest because the fastball is real.”

Jackson Kowar also pitched today and surrendered the only run of the day, his first in three spring appearances. He’s out of options and wielding a fastball that’s touched 99 mph. Today’s moves improved his chances of staying on the roster.

Rico Garcia also is out of options and hasn’t allowed a run or hit in his three appearances covering three innings. Yaramil Hiraldo hasn’t surrendered a run or hit or walked a batter in four innings.

Andrew Kittredge will begin the season on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation, creating another opening in the ‘pen. Left-hander Grant Wolfram has been a camp standout with five scoreless innings. He’s allowed two hits, walked one and struck out nine.

Albert Suárez, who signed a minor league deal after the Orioles non-tendered him, remains in camp after allowing seven runs and nine hits in 2 2/3 innings Friday afternoon against the Cardinals.

Of the reassigned players, Weston made the biggest impression with five scoreless innings and eight strikeouts in his two appearances. He shut out the Braves over three innings yesterday in a split-squad game in North Port.

None of the four players was in the running to make the Opening Day roster.