Jahmai Jones in latest round of roster cuts

SARASOTA, Fla. -- The Orioles made their most significant spring cuts after Sunday’s 5-4 Grapefruit League win over the Tigers, with roster hopefuls Rylan Bannon and Jahmai Jones among the group that was optioned to the Minors.

Also sent to Triple-A Norfolk were left-hander Kevin Smith (No. 18 prospect per MLB Pipeline) and infielder Terrin Vavra (No. 14), while right-hander Logan Gillaspie was optioned to Double-A Bowie. Catchers Brett Cumberland and Maverick Handley, infielder Patrick Dorrian, outfielder Robert Neustrom, left-hander Nick Vespi, and right-handers Marcos Diplán, Cody Sedlock and Grayson Rodriguez were reassigned to Minor League camp.

Rodriguez, ranked as the club’s top pitching prospect, is expected to reach the Majors this year, but likely not until the second half of the season. The O’s still have 48 players at Major League camp, needing to trim an additional 20 ahead of Opening Day against the Rays on April 8.

Also notable are the names still with the Major League club. Outfielder Kyle Stowers (No. 8 prospect) was perhaps the biggest surprise to remain in camp, given the challenge he faces to make the Opening Day roster with a mostly set outfield, but he has impressed in his action thus far. A couple of other struggling names -- such as lefty Keegan Akin and righty Mike Baumann (No. 13 prospect) -- also have more time to try to break camp with the club.

And though he’s not expected to be on the Opening Day roster due to his right triceps injury, top prospect Adley Rutschman remains in camp for both rehabbing purposes and to get as much game action as he can when he’s cleared for full activities.

But Bannon and Jones were among the more difficult decisions manager Brandon Hyde had to make. The former has performed admirably this spring, with a 1.221 OPS in 17 plate appearances, including the game-winning hit against the Tigers on Sunday.

In the macro, Bannon has struggled to find his footing since he landed in Baltimore as part of the 2018 Manny Machado trade with the Dodgers, and his positional flexibility seemed to improve his chances for a longer look. But while he leaves camp, Yusniel Diaz (the No. 26 prospect and most touted player in the Machado deal) remains, with a 1.250 OPS to his credit.

Jones, ranked as the club's No. 22 prospect and the return from the Angels in the Alex Cobb trade, also appeared to have a good shot for the roster, especially coming off his Major League debut in 2021 and with a .945 OPS in 17 plate appearances this spring.

But like Hyde stressed at the outset of camp, a shortened Spring Training meant tough, expedited decisions were going to occur. And he and Bannon were the two first notable casualties.