Taking another look at the camp roster

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are making more cuts this morning, according to manager Buck Showalter. They're going to need a sharp knife with 42 players still in camp.

Seventeen players must be removed, and it's possible that the Orioles will pad their total by signing another outfielder or pitcher. This roster remains a work in progress.

Starter Kevin Gausman, reliever Brian Matusz and infielder Jimmy Paredes can be placed on the disabled list. Catchers Francisco Pena and Audry Perez can be removed if the Orioles are convinced that Matt Wieters will be ready on opening day. Pena would be optioned to Triple-A Norfolk because he's on the 40-man roster, while Perez would be reassigned to minor league camp.

Wieters made throws to second and third base during yesterday's intrasquad game.

"It went as well as we could hope," said manager Buck Showalter.

The Orioles will check on Wieters today and decide on his next game. Their Triple-A team is on the road Monday and at Twin Lakes Park on Tuesday.

"That's a good step, catching in games," Showalter said.

The Orioles could release Vance Worley and avoid paying him the full $2.6 million he's owed if he isn't going to crack the rotation or fill a spot in the bullpen. Reliever Todd Redmond threw yesterday in the intrasquad game and he's making today's trip to Fort Myers, but he hasn't pitched in a Grapefruit League game since March 17.

Outfielders Xavier Avery and L.J. Hoes would appear to be longshots to make the club, though the outfield picture is a bit fuzzy. Nolan Reimold isn't a lock, but he brings on-base skills and some pop. He's also sizzling these last three games.

Here are the 42 players in camp:

Pitchers
Brian Matusz
Chris Tillman
Ubaldo Jimenez
Brad Brach
Dylan Bundy
Kevin Gausman
Odrisamer Despaigne
Vance Worley
Yovani Gallardo
Miguel Gonzalez
Zach Britton
Darren O'Day
Pedro Beato
Todd Redmond
Mike Wright
Mychal Givens
Tyler Wilson
Chaz Roe
T.J. McFarland
Oliver Drake
Zach Phillips

Catchers
Francisco Pena
Matt Wieters
Caleb Joseph
Audry Perez

Infielders
J.J. Hardy
Ryan Flaherty
Jonathan Schoop
Manny Machado
Paul Janish
Steve Tolleson
Chris Davis
Pedro Alvarez
Jimmy Paredes

Outfielders
Adam Jones
Dariel Alvarez
Nolan Reimold
Joey Rickard
Hyun Soo Kim
L.J. Hoes
Mark Trumbo
Xavier Avery

Another reminder that the Orioles could carry an extra reliever, outfielder or utility player for the first week of the season. They'd like to keep shortstop Paul Janish, but he has opt-out clauses in his contract and the freedom to change teams if offered a major league deal.

There's heavy speculation in the industry that the Orioles will sign outfielder David Murphy if the Red Sox release him. He opted out of his contract yesterday.

The Orioles talked to the Rockies about Carlos Gonzalez over the winter, but weren't willing to part with Gausman. They talked to the Astros about Preston Tucker over the winter, but weren't willing to part with Gausman. They signed Kim to a two-year deal and may try to return him to the Korean Baseball Organization (though he apparently isn't open to that idea at the moment.)

Dexter Fowler backpedaled from them like an NFL cornerback.

Could the search for a left-handed bat lead them to Murphy? Stay tuned.