BRADENTON, Fla. -- With the starting outfield solidified, the rotation more or less settled and the catching situation all but resolved, the biggest battle remaining in a competitive Orioles camp has come down to the hot corner.

Renato Núñez and Rio Ruiz seem to be neck and neck heading into the final weekend of Grapefruit League play. Ruiz continued to make his case by doubling off Chris Archer during Thursday’s 7-5 loss to the Pirates, when he started at third for the third consecutive game. Part of the extended look for Ruiz is due to the health of Nunez, who has suffered from soreness in his right bicep for much of the past week. But Ruiz has also earned his run, slashing .273/.365/.500 with six extra-base hits across 17 spring games.

“I came in more prepared this spring,” said Ruiz, who spent much of the past three seasons in the Braves' system. “At some point [in the past], I knew I wasn’t ready. I wasn’t mentally prepared to go through the rigors of a big league season. Now that I’ve gotten older, I feel like I am prepared.”

Ruiz's offensive numbers come in contrast to those from Nunez, who is set to return to the lineup Friday sporting a .226/.265/.452 line with 11 strikeouts over 12 games. The separator, though, may end up being defense. The Orioles are aware of Nunez’s offensive potential; the 24-year-old put up three 20-homer seasons in the Minors before posting a .781 OPS in 60 games as a rookie with Baltimore last summer. But the four errors he’s committed this spring haven't helped his case.

“I’d like to see [Nunez] play more, to be honest with you,” Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said. “We might carry both.”

This question is whether or not the Orioles will have room. Assuming they bring 13 pitchers and Rule 5 Draft pick Drew Jackson north for Opening Day, that would leave the club with a maximum of two open bench spots. That number gets reduced to one should Mark Trumbo begin the year on the active roster, which at this point remains an open question.

Trumbo has been limited this spring in his return from right knee surgery. He factors heavily into this calculus, as do Rio’s remaining Minor League options. Nunez, on the other hand, has no Minor League options, meaning the Orioles risk losing him through waivers if he doesn’t make the team.

Leaving Trumbo behind would allow the Orioles to take two from the pool of Ruiz/Nunez, outfielder Dwight Smith Jr., infielder Hanser Alberto and non-roster invitee Eric Young Jr. Taking Young would require clearing a 40-man roster spot, so that seems unlikely. But without either Young or Smith, Baltimore risks opening the year without a true fourth outfielder. Ruiz and Nunez have both dabbled in corner outfield before, and both have seen time at first this spring. There's also a possibility of the right-handed Nunez and the left-handed Ruiz forming a platoon at third.

Whatever the scenario, Ruiz has played his way into the conversation.

“I’ve learned to slow things down, really take what the game gives you,” Ruiz said. “We still have a couple of games left, I need to finish strong.”