SARASOTA, Fla. – In typical fashion at the Orioles’ spring training home since 2010, players are arriving in camp earlier than the staggered report dates rather than waiting until the last possible minute. They could be seen yesterday in the weight room, and a few of them took batting practice inside the new 15,970 square foot cage area. They tested the turf fields and explored the lounge.

Pitchers and catchers who aren’t participating in the World Baseball Classic are due at the complex today, with Major League Baseball adjusting the schedule.

The Orioles are set at catcher. It’s the pitching that remains questionable.

The 40-man roster is down to 39 players. Who’s gonna fill it out?

The 26-man roster feels heavier than allowed, like a checked bag at the airport. I don’t know how many different ways I can say it. There are 14-15 position players and the Orioles need to get down to 13. Utility infielder Blaze Alexander is a complication with a plus arm.

The total rises to 15 if you include Jeremiah Jackson, who has options. So does Coby Mayo, who has the higher ceiling. Outfielder Leody Taveras is out of options and he signed a $2 million contract. He’s also the most reliable defender in center.

I don’t see Taveras excluded on Opening Day, but I also didn’t see Alexander on this team until last week.

Last bench spots can create interesting storylines and this camp is no exception. The Orioles could go the easier route and option Mayo and Jackson, giving them nice depth at Triple-A, if injuries don’t create openings.

Ah, injuries. There’s always one or two surprises. Stay tuned.

I haven’t mentioned outfielder Heston Kjerstad because of his unfortunate 2025 season, which included a summer shutdown for reasons that weren’t fully explained. He’s going to be an intriguing camp character, but I’ve got him as a long shot to make the club.

Nothing wrong with beating down the door in Triple-A. He may not have a choice.

The Orioles aren’t carrying a third catcher. They don’t have room. It would be nice with Adley Rutschman and Samuel Basallo in the same lineups, but there are too many obstacles.

President of baseball operations/general manager Mike Elias isn’t forced to make a decision on this excess right away. He can hold onto Mayo and Ryan Mountcastle, for example, and see whether an injury in his camp or somewhere else might influence it.

You may recall that Elias went aggressively after a bat and didn’t care about the position. He’d make it work. Could have been Kyle Schwarber hunkered down at designated hitter. Could have been an outfielder. It was Pete Alonso at first base.

No worries then or now.

The rotation seems a little light but I don’t think it’s a detriment to making the playoffs. I understand that it’s always uncomfortable having to count on so many things breaking right. An ace like Framber Valdez or Ranger Suárez obviously lessens the risks. My sense is that the Orioles came closer with Suárez, but we don’t have exact figures and may never get them.

The composition of the rotation and what the Orioles do with the bench will dominate our attention – the former especially if Elias brings in another starter as expected, the latter especially because Mayo seemed like a good bet to make the club after his improvements in September, but offseason moves worked against him.

Unlike some colleagues, I’m sticking with Albert Suárez as one of my eight relievers. I know he signed a minor league contract and can be reassigned in camp, but I don’t believe that the Orioles brought him back to pitch in Triple-A. Of course, he’s got to win a job, but I think he does if healthy.

That’s an all-purpose bullpen arm and spot starter if needed. Tyler Wells, assuming he isn’t in the rotation, could be most useful in high-leverage late relief.

Kade Strowd was traded. Rico Garcia and Colin Selby are out of options. If I’m keeping Suárez, that could leave the last spot for Garcia, Selby, Grant Wolfram, Yaramil Hiraldo, José Espada, Chayce McDermott, Anthony Nunez and Cameron Foster. And we’d have to consider the possibility of Cade Povich or Brandon Young becoming relievers, though my guess is they’d continue their development in Triple-A. Just a guess.

I’m also assuming that Yennier Cano makes the club, but he has options and a lot to prove.

Ryan Helsley, Andrew Kittredge, Keegan Akin and Dietrich Enns are locks, and Elias might make another move for a reliever.

So much can change between now and Opening Day. The next step is getting everyone in camp.