SARASOTA, Fla. -- The Orioles’ rotation competition didn’t feel like it would actually turn into much of a competition early in camp. Even with Kyle Bradish (right UCL sprain) and John Means (left elbow recovery) set to open the 2024 season on the injured list, the starting staff seemed set.

The clear five: Corbin Burnes, Grayson Rodriguez, Dean Kremer, Tyler Wells and Cole Irvin.

There’s a good chance that will, in fact, be Baltimore’s rotation at the start of the season. But a few other pitchers are giving the O’s something to ponder over the final few weeks of Spring Training.

Two of those outside starter candidates pitched well again Wednesday night in the Orioles’ 6-4 win over the Pirates at Ed Smith Stadium. Julio Teheran tossed two scoreless frames in his second Grapefruit League appearance (and first start), then Bruce Zimmermann followed by recording five strikeouts over 2 2/3 innings.

The strong showings came a day after right-hander Albert Suárez (a non-roster invitee who is also vying for a roster spot) struck out seven over three scoreless innings vs. the Phillies.

Teheran has been an intriguing addition to Baltimore’s pitching mix. The 33-year-old non-roster right-hander (who inked a Minor League deal on Feb. 28) is a two-time All-Star and 12-year MLB veteran who retooled his arsenal while posting a 4.40 ERA in 14 games for the Brewers last season.

“We’re just trying to get guys to increase our starter depth, as well as find guys that can give us bulk innings out of the bullpen. We’re not even close to finalizing anything there,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “[Teheran] is a guy that’s done it for a while and has had some good years.”

After working a scoreless inning of relief in his Orioles debut last Saturday, Teheran impressed again vs. the Bucs, retiring six of the seven batters he faced. The only one who reached was Jack Suwinski, who drew a two-out walk in the first.

Spring Training stats don’t always hold a ton of value, but for Teheran, success in games is the best way he can show that he’s deserving of a spot on Baltimore’s 26-man Opening Day roster.

“I feel like it’s important -- every pitch, every at-bat that I throw, it’s going to count,” Teheran said. “And that’s what I’m taking out there. I’m taking one pitch at a time and, obviously, showing them that I came here to make the team.”

Zimmermann, who is already on the Orioles’ 40-man roster, is healthy this spring after undergoing core muscle surgery in October. The 29-year-old left-hander impressed in his first Grapefruit League outing, tossing two scoreless innings against the Braves on Friday.

On Wednesday, Zimmermann retired seven of the first eight Pirates batters he faced, which included striking out the side in the fourth. He was charged with four runs allowed (two earned), but three of those scored following his departure with two outs in the fifth.

Zimmermann has a Minor League option remaining, so he could contribute later this season even if he doesn’t make the team out of camp, although that’s his goal.

“[Hyde] always says you need 30 guys, 35 guys, to win a championship,” Zimmermann said after his first spring outing. “If I can be one of those guys earlier than expected and break with the team and make an impact right away, I definitely want to do it.”

More Wednesday highlights

• After going 2-for-17 over his first six Grapefruit League games, Anthony Santander went deep for the first time this spring in the first inning. The 29-year-old outfielder belted a two-run homer to right field off Pirates right-handed ace Mitch Keller.

“More happy about my timing and the mechanic stuff that I’ve been working on the last couple of days,” Santander said. “Put the ball on the barrel twice in a row, that’s great. That means the work that I did the last couple of days is good work.”

• Gunnar Henderson, who was slowed by left oblique soreness at the start of camp, went 3-for-3 with two singles and a double in his second game of the spring. The 22-year-old again started at shortstop and improved to 4-for-5 in Grapefruit League action.

• Dillon Tate and Mike Baumann worked a scoreless inning apiece to continue their spotless springs. Each has retired all nine batters he’s faced this spring and recorded three strikeouts. Both right-handers should be key pieces of the Orioles’ bullpen this year.

• Coby Mayo, MLB Pipeline’s No. 30 overall prospect, hit a go-ahead two-run double in the eighth. The 22-year-old third baseman is 7-for-21 with four doubles and five RBIs this spring.