Henderson tops roster decisions a week before Orioles start season

SARASOTA—The Orioles return from their second and final offday with 41 players left in camp and significant questions to be answered — the most pressing: what to do about shortstop Gunnar Henderson, who hasn’t played since February 27th because of an intercostal muscle strain. Here is the Orioles’ list of roster decisions before Opening Day next Thursday.

How many pitchers will start the season on the injured list?
At least six: Right-handed pitchers Grayson Rodriguez, Kyle Bradish, Tyler Wells, Andrew Kittredge and Chayce McDermott, and left-hander Trevor Rogers.

Rodriguez, who has right elbow discomfort, began a throwing program on Tuesday. He’s effectively restarting spring training, so the earliest we might see him is around May 1^st if there are no setbacks.

Bradish and Wells, who had season-ending elbow surgeries last June, might pitch in the second half of the season, though there’s no timetable.

McDermott didn’t pitch in spring training because of a right lat/teres injury, and is weeks behind, though he’s begun throwing. Rogers never pitched because of a dislocated left kneecap.

Kittredge isn’t sure of when his left knee, which had cartilage removed last week, will be strong enough for him to pitch. He, Bradish and Wells could be candidates for the 60-day injured list if the Orioles need roster spots.

What about Henderson and Jorge Mateo?

Manager Brandon Hyde said that Henderson took batting practice from coaches on Tuesday. He hasn’t played since he landed awkwardly after making a catch, and it appears unlikely he’ll be ready by Opening Day. It seems more likely the Oriole will err on the side of caution with their best player.

The Orioles have four games remaining in Florida and an added exhibition game on Monday in Washington before beginning the season a week from now in Toronto. Hyde wants to play Henderson as soon as possible, but it’s a long season and not worth the risk to rush him back before he’s ready. If Henderson is placed on the injured list during spring training, the Orioles would have to wait until April 3^rd to activate him.

“We’re not even there yet,” Hyde said. “We need to get him at-bats. He still hasn’t had any yet. Right now, we’re hopeful, but not sure.” Henderson had six at-bats early in camp.

Mateo, who had Tommy John surgery on his left elbow in August after a collision with Henderson, has played in two Grapefruit League games.

Mateo has no options remaining, and if he and Henderson are on the active roster, the Orioles might be forced to make a difficult roster choice, perhaps optioning outfielder/designated hitter Heston Kjerstad, whom the team wants to give an extended opportunity.

If both Henderson and Mateo begin the season on the injured list, it’s possible that Liván Soto will be an extra infielder. Soto and Luis Vázquez have options remaining.

Who is the Orioles’ fifth starter?

It’s between Cade Povich, who threw five no-hit innings on Tuesday night against the Blue Jays, and Albert Suárez, who’ll start Friday night against Detroit.

Suárez can pitch in relief, and before Rodriguez’s injury, looked to be a long relief arm.

Povich has options remaining and putting him in the rotation would give the Orioles’ a left-hander. Otherwise, it’s Zach Eflin, Charlie Morton, Dean Kremer, Tomoyuki Sugano and Suárez, all right-handers.

Who’s in the bullpen?

If Suárez is in the rotation, that opens another bullpen spot. Félix Bautista, who is returning from Tommy John surgery and has thrown four times, seems ready to return as the closer. Hyde said he won’t use Bautista in consecutive games in the first half of the season, or for more than three outs.

The Orioles thought Kittredge might be able to close when Bautista couldn’t, but that’s not going to happen any time soon.

Yennier Cano, Seranthony Domínguez and Gregory Soto are candidates to close, although Domínguez has had a bad spring, allowing 12 runs on 14 hits in 4 2/3 innings for a 23.14 ERA.

Keegan Akin and Cionel Pérez also will be in the bullpen. It appears the final two spots will go to Bryan Baker and Matt Bowman.

Baker has no options remaining, and Bowman has a March 23^rd opt-out. If he’s not added to the 40-man roster by Sunday, Bowman can ask for his release to explore other opportunities. Bowman has a 2.70 ERA this spring.

Roansy Contreras remains on the 40-man roster, though he looks like a long shot to make the team. Contreras has a 7.71 ERA and has allowed three home runs in seven innings.

Without options, Contreras, who’s been the property of five teams since the end of last season, would have to run through waivers yet again if the Orioles want to send him to the minor leagues.

Who’s remaining in camp who probably won’t make the team?

The Orioles have outfielder Dylan Carlson, who has put together a solid spring. He plays all three outfield positions, is a switch-hitter and has options remaining.

Catcher Maverick Handley, infielder Vimael Machin, who’s had a hot bat this spring, and infielder Emmanuel Rivera, who’s out with a sore left shoulder, remain in camp along with Bowman, Soto and Vázquez. All are on minor league contracts.

The Orioles have until noon next Thursday to set their 26-man roster, and it’s possible that in the next week, executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias will tinker with the roster with a trade, a waiver claim or free-agent signing.

Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com.