Pitchers and catchers begin reporting to spring training next week, both the World Baseball Classic participants and the regular crew. Position players in the WBC also are due, with the non-WBC hitters set for arrival no later than Feb. 16.

The majority of players unpack their bags early at Ed Smith Stadium, which speaks to the appeal of the complex. We won’t rehash the Fort Lauderdale issues. It’s like bashing an ex-girlfriend.

Appreciate the good times and move on.

The Orioles could trickle into the facility without making another huge splash. They haven’t added a starter for the top or upper portion of the rotation. The bullpen hasn’t acquired another impactful reliever beyond Ryan Helsley, Andrew Kittredge and potentially Albert Suárez.

Framber Valdez, Zac Gallen and a handful of lower-tier starters remain in play, which can take the rotation in two dramatically different directions. We’re talking dominance versus depth, but either way can create vast improvements over a group that posted a 4.65 ERA last season.

PHOENIX – Tests are never slammed on your desk at a convenient time.

The Orioles offense has been inconsistent and is coming off a one-run, five-hit performance against the Royals. In their win in Kansas City on Saturday, Baltimore put up an eight-spot. In the two losses, however, the Birds combined to plate just three.

Things get much warmer in Arizona, but they don’t get much easier.

The test comes in the form of an ace in sedona red, sonoran sand and teal. And no, not the one that the Diamondbacks signed this offseason. 

This ace is Zac Gallen, a three-time top-10 Cy Young Award finisher that just shut down the prolific Yankees. “Shut down” may be a kind descriptor, as the former Tar Heel tossed 6 ⅔ scoreless innings with 13 strikeouts against the Bronx Bombers.

The Orioles are going for the sweep today against the Diamondbacks and trying to improve on a 26-12 record that matches the 1969 and 1970 teams for the best 38-game start in franchise history.

Cedric Mullins is on the bench again today. He struck out yesterday as a pinch-hitter and is 5-for-53 since his two-hit day in Kansas City on April 21.

Colton Cowser gets another start in center field. Ryan O’Hearn is in left after Heston Kjerstad started there yesterday.

Ramón Urías is the third baseman.

Jordan Westburg is playing second base after yesterday’s walk-off single in the 11^th inning. Westburg has doubled in three consecutive games, and his four-hit game yesterday was the first of his career and the first this season by an Orioles player.