The No. 1 question surrounding the Orioles remains whether they can make the playoffs despite being below .500 since April 30. Nothing else really matters.

Some of the other stuff can be an influencer, depending on whether time hasn’t run out. Last night’s win at Target Field evened the series and maybe kept hope alive.

Here are a few other questions that come to mind while waiting for the lineup to be posted for this afternoon’s series finale in Minnesota.

When will Blaze Alexander return?

Alexander is making progress in his recovery from a non-displaced fracture in his left hand. He played catch Friday at Globe Life Field. Using the glove was a gain. And he expected to start hitting this week in Minnesota.

“We all miss him big time,” manager Craig Albernaz told the media in Texas. “His ability to play all over the field. Me personally being able to construct lineups knowing that Blaze can help fill a void and also during a game, being able to match up and knowing that Blaze can go for a couple of innings at a different position and hold it down pretty well. Yeah, I definitely miss that versatility.”

Alexander hasn’t played since being hit on the hand by a Lucas Erceg pitch in a July 12 game against the Royals at Camden Yards. Albernaz called it a “gut punch.” He wasn’t wrong.

No one on the team was hotter than Alexander, who’s batting .312/.368/.439 in 82 games. He hit .365 with a .911 OPS in 25 games in May and .359 with a .964 OPS in 23 games in June. He was 12-for-32 in July.

Alexander would like to return by the Rockies series that begins Aug. 31 in Colorado. Otherwise, he could be reinstated for the Red Sox series that follows at Camden Yards.

How will the Orioles make room for Alexander?

That’s impossible to say on Aug. 12.

Rosters expand on Sept. 1 and it’s conceivable that Alexander is the position player who’s added. A corresponding move wouldn’t be necessary.

However, the Orioles might want to also bring up someone else, and that’s where the transactions gets trickier.

Corner infielder Christian Encarnacion-Strand was recalled when Alexander went on the injured list and he set the franchise-record with nine RBIs through his first six career games with the team, surpassing the previous mark of eight shared by Ramón Hernández (2006) and Rafael Palmeiro (1994). On July 24, he became the first player in Orioles history to tally at least three multi-RBI games in his first five with the team.

We’ve got another “however” here. Encarnacion-Strand was 2-for-21 in his first nine games this month after his pinch-hit RBI groundout Monday. And here’s another. He singled twice last night and belted a 460-foot homer, the longest of his career.

The two minor league options obviously make him more vulnerable, but he’s mostly been good with the Orioles.

Jeremiah Jackson has more versatility, but he, too, can be optioned.

So much can happen between now and then. Don’t hurt your brain thinking about it.

What’s the latest with Samuel Basallo?

Basallo is on the 10-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation, which obviously has subsided. Otherwise, he’d remain shut down. You don’t need a medical degree to figure it out.

Albernaz told the media that Basallo hit off a tee, underhand tosses and “short dart throws” Sunday and Monday. He’s also throwing.

The team’s injury update yesterday stated only that Basallo is “continuing his rehabilitation, including a progression of baseball activities.”

Basallo also will need to go on a rehab assignment. His last at-bat was July 19 in Houston. He has a shot to come back to the Orioles later this month, and when he does, they can remove Yohel Pozo from the active roster or try to get creative with a three-catcher setup.

I don’t know how that would work, but let’s keep everything on the table.

Is Ryan Helsley coming back later this season?

That’s what he told the media in Texas. Or at least, that’s what he’s hoping to do.

Helsley hasn’t pitched since June 27, before making his second trip to the injured list with right elbow inflammation. He still leads the club with eight saves.

You can interpret that stat multiple ways. Mostly, the Orioles don’t have one designated closer. And perhaps they’ve lacked in save opportunities. But anyway …

Helsley is flat-ground throwing and long-tossing. He should be able to throw off a mound later this month, barring any setbacks, followed by bullpen and live batting practice sessions and a rehab assignment.

We’re talking September before his reinstatement. The Orioles hope they’re still in a playoff race.

Is Ryan Helsley coming back in 2027?

Good question. Glad I thought of it.

Helsley signed a two-year, $28 million contract that included an opt-out in 2027. He’d get paid $14 million if he stays.

The injuries seem to make it more likely that he returns, but he also could get back on the active roster, string together some impressive outings and bet on himself – so to speak – by re-entering free agency.

As if he needed extra motivation to pitch again this season.

The possibility of a lockout also could impact a player’s decision for 2027.

Notes: Backup catcher Yohel Pozo exited last night’s game in the bottom of the third inning with left index finger soreness after being struck on the mitt by Josh Bell’s bat. Bell reached on catcher’s interference.

X-rays came back negative.

Silas Ardoin is on the taxi squad if the Orioles need to make a roster move. Sam Huff is on Triple-A Norfolk’s roster. So is Creed Willems, who started for the Tides last night and played the entire game.

The Red Sox designated Jake Rogers for assignment yesterday after reinstating Adley Rutschman from the injured list. Rogers was briefly an Oriole before being sent to the Red Sox with Rutschman at the trade deadline.

Something to consider.

The Orioles already have used seven catchers to tie the franchise record set last season.

*High-A Frederick outfielder Vance Honeycutt was reinstated from the injured list and put on a planned progression.

Honeycutt went on the IL July 14 with a strained left oblique. The 2024 first-round draft pick was batting .180/.287/.346 with eight doubles, nine home runs, 30 RBIs, 30 walks and 107 strikeouts over 60 games. He was 28-for-32 in steal attempts.

Honeycutt doubled and scored last night in his second at-bat.

*Monday’s game between the Orioles and Rays at Tropicana Field has been moved up from 6:40 p.m. to 6:05 p.m.