SARASOTA, Fla. -- It’s a wet, gray day in the Sunshine State. The Orioles, like much of the Grapefruit League, have been rained out. Let’s pass the time by cracking open the Inbox once again and tackling another round of questions.

It doesn't seem like Alcides Escobar fits into this roster, with [manager Brandon] Hyde trying to keep guys that play multiple positions. Why did they bring him in?
-- Stephen Cooke; @s_cooke22

I disagree, Stephen. First of all, Escobar has moved around this spring after playing third base and center field last year. But I’m not sure versatility matters as much in regards to Escobar as it does for some of the younger players. I don’t know that how little Escobar has hit matters either. He’s most valuable to this team as insurance at shortstop should Richie Martin struggle playing every day, which is entirely possible. Martin, a Rule 5 Draft pick, broke out offensively at Double-A Midland last year but barely hit before that. He’s also never played beyond that level and is about to be thrown to the wolves of the American League East.

After demoting No. 4 prospect Austin Hays on Sunday, Orioles executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias emphasized the role that projected stats will play in the front office’s assessment of players it has little history with. Projections are more accurate when they have larger statistical baselines to project from, larger bodies of work. Elias cited Hays’ lack of Triple-A stats, for example, shortly before noting Cedric Mullins’ more padded resume both there and at the Major League level.

That said, few in the Orioles clubhouse sport more history than Escobar, an 11-year veteran. The Orioles know what they’re getting with him, and part of that is someone who can at least handle short on an extended basis if necessary. Hays’ optioning (and, in turn, Drew Jackson’s subsequent experimenting in corner-outfield spots) also hints at the club heading north without a full-time fourth outfielder in tow. That would leave a bench spot open for an extra infielder, which could easily be Escobar.

With third base being our biggest concern, why isn’t Jack Reinheimer or Drew Jackson getting an extended look there? Both having great springs.
-- Shane Chills

“Biggest concern” may be overselling it a bit. But, to answer your question, it speaks to the Orioles’ roster realities as much as anything. Renato Nunez is on the 40-man roster and out of options; he’d almost certainly be claimed if he went through waivers. Meaning if he doesn’t make the team, they likely lose him. Reinheimer, on the other hand, has already passed through waivers. The Orioles sacrifice none of his rights by sending him to Triple-A Norfolk to start the year. Same for Rio Ruiz, who has a Minor League option remaining.

As for Jackson, he simply hasn’t had time, between bouncing from short to second to center to right. He was supposed to play left field today. The Orioles generally believe if someone can play shortstop, that means he can handle himself anywhere. Jackson certainly has the arm and is no stranger to fielding ground balls. The larger focus has been getting him more reps in the outfield.

Does Josh Rogers being a lefty kind of work as a disadvantage for him? Lots of righty bats in the division.
-- Tejus K; @itssocontenjus

Depends on how you look at it. I’m sure the Orioles would spin it the other way and say how Rogers being left-handed is actually more of an advantage given the number of righty starters they have. Baltimore’s projected rotation is right-handers all the way on down, from Alex Cobb through David Hess and Mike Wright. Tossing a southpaw in between some of them could go a long way toward mixing up the looks an opponent might get over the course of a series.

For what it’s worth, Hyde has both agreed with this premise and downplayed it at various times this spring. The reality is, Wright being out of options is doing more to stand in Rogers’ way than anything else.

But you’re also not wrong; the American League East is oddly right-handed heavy, with Mookie Betts, J.D. Martinez, Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Xander Bogaerts, Tommy Pham and more. Even Justin Smoak and Kendrys Morales, who anchor the Blue Jays lineup (not to mention Vladimir Guerrero, Jr.), are switch-hitters. Who’s the scariest left-handed bat? Andrew Benintendi? And he’s enough of a line-drive guy to hold his own against same-side pitching. All of which is why, despite all the talk of openers this spring, I have a hard time seeing the Orioles test that strategy in the division unless it’s to shield a lefty, like Rogers, once through the order. Otherwise, the matchups simply aren’t there.