There are roughly two weeks remaining before opening day, and the roster that will be present at Camden Yards against the Minnesota Twins on March 26 is still an unknown commodity.

The largest roster battles facing the Orioles at this stage are at third base and in the bullpen. There are some rotation questions, too, because Baltimore could run with a six-man rotation or spill over some starters into the relief corps.

In truth, the act of projecting the opening day roster is a bit of a moving target at this point, because injuries (and perhaps even a trade) are an ever-present risk that could shuffle the outlook completely.

For instance, before setbacks for infielders Jordan Westburg (elbow) and Jackson Holliday (hand), there was little maneuverability for infield spots. And before right-hander Andrew Kittredge’s shoulder inflammation made him a doubt to be ready for opening day, there was one less opening in the bullpen.

Even if a player doesn’t make the opening day roster, that doesn’t prevent him from being a key piece of the equation down the line (remember Ryan O’Hearn?).

With what we know now, this is The Baltimore’s Banner’s opening day roster projection.

Catchers Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman looks to the dugout for instructions in the second inning of a spring training game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Feb. 21. (Ulysses Muñoz/The Banner)

Adley Rutschman, Samuel Basallo

The main question revolving around the catching spot is whether the Orioles will carry a third catcher as a risk-mitigation tactic for games when Adley Rutschman and Samuel Basallo are both in the lineup. The possibility of a third catcher, however, seems less likely now than it did before Pete Alonso signed.

Before the Alonso signing, Basallo was slated to play more first base. Now with Rutschman and Basallo splitting catching and designated hitting duties alone, there are more opportunities for rest days out of the lineup for either of them. And if there’s an emergency situation, outfielder Taylor Ward can harken back to his catching days for an inning or two.

Carrying three catchers also limits Baltimore’s need for positional flexibility.

Infielders Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson tracks down a fly ball in the fourth inning of a spring training game against the New York Yankees on Feb. 20. (Ulysses Muñoz/The Banner)

Pete Alonso, Gunnar Henderson, Blaze Alexander, Coby Mayo, Ryan Mountcastle, Luis Vázquez

Without Holliday and Westburg on the opening day roster, the acquisition of Blaze Alexander looks even more prudent. Alexander, a utility player, will likely see steady time at second base until Holliday returns. He can also serve as Gunnar Henderson’s backup at shortstop.

Earlier this winter, it would’ve been difficult to imagine Alonso, Ryan Mountcastle and Coby Mayo all making the roster.

The third base opening — and the decision to move Mayo back across the diamond — makes this more likely. Alonso will handle the bulk of the time at first base, and Mountcastle can fill in when Alonso needs a day off the field (even if that comes as a designated hitter). Mountcastle also could be valuable as a pinch hitter against left-handers and for late-game defensive situations.

Mayo is swinging a hot bat in camp, and while his third base defense isn’t stellar, he appears to be the frontrunner for that position. The competition remains between him, Jeremiah Jackson, Luis Vázquez and Bryan Ramos. The nod, at least in this projection, goes to Vázquez.

Vázquez is the best defender of the bunch, although he isn’t on the 40-man roster. That complicates his inclusion. Since Baltimore designated Vázquez for assignment in the offseason, he can be transferred to the minors without requiring another trip on waivers. If he is added to the 40-man roster, Vázquez has two options remaining, which increases the flexibility once Holliday can return. In the meantime, he’d serve as a utility man, capable of producing strong defense at second, third and short.

Ramos is on the 40-man roster and is without any minor league options, but he hasn’t lit up the stat sheet this spring. He has three hits, including a double, in 15 at-bats. If he doesn’t make the squad, he would need to be designated for assignment. He has already bounced around on waivers this winter, but the flood of waived players post-spring training could work in Baltimore’s favor.

Jackson might have the best bat of the three. His initial spell in the majors last year was strong offensively, but with less of a sure glove and the option to send him to the minors, he may need to wait until there’s a fresh chance.

Outfielders Orioles right fielder Tyler O’Neill throws to first base in the first inning of a spring training game against the New York Yankees on Feb. 20. (Ulysses Muñoz/The Banner)

Taylor Ward, Colton Cowser, Tyler O’Neill, Dylan Beavers, Leody Taveras

The biggest question may be whether the Orioles opt to include Leody Taveras on the opening day roster.

There are two reasons he’s on the team, in this projection. The first: The Orioles gave him a $2 million contract this winter for a reason. They seem to value what he brings. And secondly, Taveras is a natural center fielder. He provides cover in a premium position.

Colton Cowser is slated to handle the majority of action in center, and Ward figures to be the everyday left fielder following the trade with the Los Angeles Angels. Tyler O’Neill and Dylan Beavers fill out the rest of the outfield. Beavers, especially, will likely move between the corner outfield spots to give days off as needed.

The Orioles, of course, could leave Taveras off the opening day roster if they believe some combination of Alexander, Beavers and O’Neill could fill in for Cowser when he needs a day. It’s a riskier option to go without a natural center fielder, but it would offer the Orioles another infield spot or the chance to carry a third catcher.

While Heston Kjerstad has impressed at the plate this spring, he doesn’t make this opening day projection. He has options to return to the minors, and he missed considerable time last year. Baltimore may opt give him time to play games in the minors before his next opportunity.

Starting pitchersTrevor Rogers delivers a pitch in the first inning of a spring training game against the New York Yankees on Feb. 20. (Ulysses Muñoz/The Banner)

Trevor Rogers, Kyle Bradish, Shane Baz, Chris Bassitt, Dean Kremer

Ask Zach Eflin and he’ll say it: He’s ready for opening day. But after back surgery, it could make more sense to slow his buildup and place him on the injured list to begin the year, thus allowing the Orioles to carry another reliever. The option of a six-man rotation is present, but the built-in off days at the beginning of the season generally make the six-starter, seven-reliever pitching staff less appealing out of the gate.

In all, this group seems to be stronger than last year. Trevor Rogers and Kyle Bradish, in whichever order the Orioles wish, are a strong top two. Baltimore views Shane Baz as a promising arm who can become a top-of-the-rotation pitcher. Chris Bassitt and Dean Kremer are innings eaters (and they have successful track records, too).

The reality of a pitching staff is that injuries will strike. Left-hander Cade Povich and right-hander Brandon Young will surely pitch innings for the Orioles this year, even if they start in Triple-A (Young has already been optioned). Eflin will slot into the rotation soon, perhaps as early as opening day. And farther off are prospects Trey Gibson and Luis De León.

BullpenRyan Helsley throws live batting practice on the back fields ahead at Ed Smith Stadium on Feb. 20. (Ulysses Muñoz/The Banner)

Ryan Helsley, Tyler Wells, Keegan Akin, Yennier Cano, Rico Garcia, Dietrich Enns, Grant Wolfram, Jackson Kowar

Beyond closer Ryan Helsley and do-it-all Tyler Wells, this group is far from a sure thing. The advantages initially belong to those who are known commodities at this level (and those without the roster flexibility that would allow them to be optioned to the minors).

With that motif in mind, this bullpen construction covers a lot of bases, even though the nature of bullpens means it will turn over multiple times throughout a season. Keegan Akin, Dietrich Enns and Grant Wolfram are left-handers. Yennier Cano, Rico Garcia and Jackson Kowar are righties.

Albert Suárez is one potential name left off of this projection. Because he re-signed in Baltimore on a minor league contract, there’s perhaps a greater case to reassign Suárez to the minors without the requirement of waivers. Another three players missing are right-handers Anthony Nunez, Cameron Foster and Chayce McDermott. All three have been optioned to the minors already despite impressive spring showings.

Wolfram, who along with Wells and Cano is the only reliever in this group with options available, is proving himself worthy of a place on opening day. The southpaw has been challenging for left-handed batters, and he hasn’t allowed a run in four innings.

This could be the weakest positional unit for the Orioles. They’ll rely on an improvement from Cano. Akin hasn’t looked shutdown this spring (three runs in four innings); nor has Enns, with seven runs against him in 3 1/3 innings. Those are areas of concern. But the fluctuating state of the bullpen means Baltimore can make a rapid decision to pivot away from them to some of the relievers waiting in the wings.