US Presswire photoHe's a superb athlete with great upside, but the Orioles can't afford to keep a player who strikes out so much on the bench.
Baltimore Sun photo by Karl Merton FerronReimold for the first time has been given the everyday left-fielder spot. No more looking over his shoulder. He also could be a leadoff hitter option given his high on-base percentage.
US Presswire photoArrieta has shown no negative effects from last season's elbow surgery. The team believes he has the arsenal and makeup to be a top-line starter. He will have the chance to show it.
Baltimore Sun photo by Karl Merton FerronPatton has thrown 10 scoreless innings this spring and put up good numbers last season (2-1, 3.00 ERA in 30 innings). He's yet another pitcher out of options, and the Orioles' bullpen is heavy on right-handers.
Reuters photoA lot of other teams had interest in Chavez, who is the perfect fit as a fourth outfielder because he can play in all three spots and excels in center. He's another leadoff option on certain days.
Baltimore Sun photo by Karl Merton FerronBritton's shoulder inflammation has lingered since August, so the Orioles won't rush him. It also makes the starting rotation battle a little easier to sort out.
Baltimore Sun photo by Karl Merton FerronFor the first time in his career, Davis — acquired from Texas at last year's trade deadline — has been given the opportunity to be an unquestioned starter. He's eager to show he can live up to those expectations.
Baltimore Sun photo by Karl Merton FerronThe Orioles handed Betemit a two-year deal, so for the first time, Betemit knows he's on a team that has faith in him. How often the Orioles utilize his glove, which isn't what he's known for, is yet to be seen.
US Presswire photoHardy is one of this team's most important players. Despite missing a month early last season, he reached a career high in homers (30) and tied one in RBIs (80).
Baltimore Sun photo by Karl Merton FerronThe 2008 No. 4 overall pick has had an up-and-down spring in trying to rebound from last year's struggles. He's in better shape, appears focused and threw four scoreless innings in back-to-back spring starts but had also had his share of rough outings.
Baltimore Sun photo by Karl Merton FerronWe haven't seen much of Gregg this camp. He has been the subject of trade rumors, but his salary ($5.8 million) could make it difficult to move him straight up. Nonetheless, he has had previous success as a closer.
Getty photoAlfredo Simon's injury opened up a spot for Tillman, who is again throwing in the mid-90s and can be used in a long-relief role with the occasional spot start.
Baltimore Sun photo by Karl Merton FerronWe're projecting that Brian Roberts starts the year on the DL, which gives Andino his first opportunity to begin a season as a starter. It will be interesting to see how he builds on a strong finish to 2011.
Baltimore Sun photo by Karl Merton FerronThe oft-injured Teagarden came into camp with a bum knee and will likely miss Opening Day with back problems.
US Presswire photoThe organization has high hopes for the Taiwanese lefty. He has adapted well to the Orioles' clubhouse and is quick to adapt to the American game.
US Presswire photoKey 2011 stats: 47 SB allowed in 69 attempts Skinny: One-time Pirates catcher of future has thrown out 29 percent of base stealers in career.
Baltimore Sun photo by Karl Merton FerronThe flame-throwing right-hander has been fighting injuries throughout the spring, and he was abruptly scratched from his scheduled appearance March 30 and instead will next pitch in a minor league game. That might be an indicator he's headed to the DL.
Baltimore Sun photo by Karl Merton FerronHe can play three of the four infield positions, but he still has options remaining.
US Presswire photoObtained from the Colorado Rockies in the Jeremy Guthrie trade, he's the Orioles' most-experienced starter in terms of major league service time. He has pitched in the American League East before, too.
Baltimore Sun photo by Karl Merton FerronAfter an offseason of trade and contract talk, Jones will be relieved his play can speak for itself and he'll continue to improve on his numbers and leadership. The cleanup spot could be his.
Baltimore Sun photo by Karl Merton FerronHunter came into camp much slimmer, but his spring back issues are a concern, especially considering he missed the first three months of last season before his trade to the Orioles in July.
Baltimore Sun photo by Karl Merton FerronStrop was 2-0 with a 0.73 ERA in 12 games after the Orioles acquired him from Texas. He's out of options, so if the team can find a spot for a 26-year-old with a live arm, it will.
Baltimore Sun photo by Karl Merton FerronHindered by a groin injury earlier in camp, the sidearmer has options left, so he will add to the pitching depth at Triple-A Norfolk.
Baltimore Sun photo by Karl Merton FerronThe 34-year-old reliever had a career rebirth last year with the New York Yankees. Now that he has regained his sinker, he could be a situational reliever or setup man.
US Presswire photoWas there really ever any doubt Markakis, who is coming off offseason abdominal surgery, would be ready for Opening Day? He has missed just five games over the past three years.
Baltimore Sun photo by Karl Merton FerronThe team's Rule 5 selection has proven he can hit this spring. More importantly, he has shown positional flexibility that will allow him to stick on the 25-man roster.
US Presswire photoReynolds has, for the most part, had a fine spring in the field, the biggest question mark when it comes to him. Despite his dropping some weight, expect him to reach the 30-homer mark again.
Baltimore Sun photo by Karl Merton FerronBefore going down with a groin injury March 18, Simon could have been either a starter or long reliever. But after missing nine days, he wasn't sharp in his most recent outing, allowing six runs in two innings.
Karl Merton Ferron, Baltimore SunA clause in Wada's contract doesn't allow the team to send him to the minors for seasoning. Add elbow soreness that has been a problem in the past and it makes sense to have him start the season on the DL.
US Presswire photoHe has pitched well enough to make the team, allowing just two earned runs in 11 1/3 innings. Along with Patton, he gives the Orioles two quality lefty relievers.
Ed Zurga, Getty ImagesAfter thriving in the closer role late last season, he could easily be penciled in to take the full-time job this spring. But his health is a concern.
Baltimore Sun photo by Karl Merton FerronThe biggest "if" in camp has been whether Johnson can stay healthy. So far, so good. If his injury-riddled wrist holds up, he provides quality at-bats the Orioles really need.
Baltimore Sun photo by Karl Merton FerronWieters, a franchise cornerstone, continues to develop into one of the game's top catchers. Now, he has an All-Star Game appearance and a Gold Glove to prove it. He could be a nice cleanup option as well.
US Presswire photo
1 of 33
He's a superb athlete with great upside, but the Orioles can't afford to keep a player who strikes out so much on the bench.
ExpandBy Scott Dance
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
Opening Day is a week away, and little has changed in AccuWeather’s long-range forecast — the Orioles could be meeting the Minnesota Twins under drizzly skies. But the outlook isn’t unanimous.
More Top Picks Best Baby High Chairs
Next Friday is still a few days outside the National Weather Service’s forecasts, but AccuWeather is calling for a high of 61 with “a few showers” in the area. That’s slightly less wet than the forecast looked 10 days out.
Weather Underground predicts a zero percent chance of precipitation and a high of 59. The Weather Channel, meanwhile, is also calling for clear skies, but it is predicting a high of 69 degrees.
So, odds of any rain delays look unlikely, but baseball fans may still want to plan on packing an orange poncho next Friday, just in case.