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SURPRISE, Ariz. -- At this point in March, Spring Training might seem never-ending. Games are winding down, and everyone is pushing toward Opening Day. But this is a crucial time for baseball front offices and coaching staffs.

Because roster decisions are on the horizon, meetings take up much of the schedule that’s not on the field. Not that the Royals will complain about that.

“It’s been great,” manager Matt Quatraro said. “Guys are playing really well. That’s one of the things we strived to do is create depth and the ability to go in different directions, not only with positional versatility but with different types of players. Right-handed, left-handed, power or contact. It’s been tremendous.”

The Royals have five true Cactus League games left (the finale on Sunday against the Cubs will likely be played by Minor Leaguers who don’t travel to Texas with the MLB team) and two exhibition games in Arlington against the Rangers. These games might not mean anything in the standings, but what we see might mean something in determining the Opening Day roster.

The spring has been full of competition, but it’s crunch time for decisions. Here are three the Royals must make before they break camp:

1. The rotation

Before half of the Royals left for Las Vegas this past weekend, Quatraro was not ready to name the Opening Day starter nor the rotation he’ll set for the start of the season.

He did acknowledge that, obviously, veteran starters Zack Greinke and Jordan Lyles are locks. Brady Singer has earned that, too. The Royals are still debating the final two spots. It would seem that Daniel Lynch and Brad Keller have a leg up based on the innings they built up and where others in the competition stand.

Jonathan Heasley and Jackson Kowar have both been optioned. Angel Zerpa (left shoulder tendinopathy) will be shut down for two to three months.

Kris Bubic and Ryan Yarbrough both entered camp looking for a rotation spot but both sustained injuries -- Bubic’s shoulder and Yarbrough’s groin -- that delayed them. Yarbrough seems prepared for a multi-inning reliever role to start the season; the Royals signed him to be that swingman pitcher for them this year.

Where does that leave Bubic? If he’s not in the rotation, the Royals could put him in the bullpen as another option for length, or he could go to Triple-A to continue his build-up.

One name to remember is Mike Mayers, a non-roster invitee who looked solid on Sunday against the D-backs with three scoreless innings. He’s allowed eight runs in 11 1/3 innings this spring, but he offers the Royals innings.

According to a source, Mayers does not have an opt-out in his Minor League deal until June 1 and July 1, so it’s likely the Royals send him to Triple-A to start the season and use him as depth when a need arises.

2. The bullpen

The Royals have a deep ‘pen of arms, which makes for great competition for those last one or two spots.

The high-leverage relievers locked in are Scott Barlow, Aroldis Chapman and Josh Staumont. Amir Garrett has looked excellent this spring and will be the reliever the Royals turn to against lefties again this year. The aforementioned Yarbrough seemed primed for that multi-inning role.

That leaves three open spots, and it’ll depend on how the Royals want to construct it.

Strikeout-heavy? Carlos Hernández has a 100-mph fastball that was on display at the World Baseball Classic for Venezuela. He also can fill a multi-inning role for the Royals.

Dylan Coleman is nasty and has closer potential, even if he’s been a little wild this spring. Richard Lovelady, a lefty, has nine strikeouts in seven innings this spring -- and no runs allowed.

Taylor Clarke could also fit in this category, although he only has two Cactus League appearances so far this spring because of an injury early in camp. If healthy, he has a penchant for strikeouts and could work his way into high-leverage opportunities.

Lefty Josh Taylor has struck out eight in 6 2/3 innings this spring and gives the Royals another look from the left side.

Perhaps you’re looking for a different look to throw at hitters. Lovelady fits that bill from a lower slot. On the right side, Jose Cuas (sidearm) and Collin Snider (lower slot) are both groundball pitchers and have a sinker-slider combination.

Non-roster invitees to remember are Nick Wittgren, Ryan Weiss and Brooks Kriske, who all continue to get innings. Wittgren has history with pitching coach Brian Sweeney in Cleveland, and Weiss has been praised for his improved arsenal.

3. The bench

What makes up a quality bench? This might be the biggest difference Quatraro is bringing to the Royals as a manager.

“I’m not really looking at it as the ‘starters’ and the ‘bench,’” Quatraro said. “We’re going to use the whole roster. How we piece that together depends on who complements each other. I wouldn’t say, ‘I want a bench that has this.’ We’re not going to look at it that way.”

Quatraro’s thinking likely affects Nicky Lopez, a utility infielder who could get everyday at-bats around the infield.

The outfield could fall under this category, too. MJ Melendez will be in a corner, and Kyle Isbel is seen as the starting center fielder. But Nate Eaton and Edward Olivares could receive playing time in the outfield.

Franmil Reyes has likely secured a spot, and he could be the Royals’ Opening Day designated hitter. He also gives the Royals right-handed pop off the bench.

Jackie Bradley Jr.’s spot on the team likely depends on whether the Royals trust Eaton as center field depth.

Other non-roster invitees battling for a spot are Matt Duffy, who offers infield versatility, and Matt Beaty, who is a lefty with some power.

The Royals must decide whether Nick Pratto and Maikel Garcia, two young players who are important to Kansas City’s future, will be better off on the roster or in Triple-A, where they’d get more at-bats.