The Orioles’ uncertain outfield picture crystallized in a big way Tuesday, when Anthony Santander reported to Summer Camp after missing the first half of camp due to undisclosed reasons. Now the question is: Will he be ready for Opening Day?

“We’re going to try our best,” said manager Brandon Hyde, who announced Santander’s arrival. “We’re going to watch him on the field for a couple days. We’re going to have him face as much live pitching as possible.”

The key, Hyde said, will be in assessing how quickly Santander’s body recovers after what was at least a two-week layoff from baseball activity. The Orioles opened camp with just two active outfielders, missing Trey Mancini (colon cancer), Santander and Dwight Smith Jr, who remains the lone Oriole yet to appear in camp.

The club has not addressed the reason for the absences of Smith and Santander, nor said when it expects Smith might return. The Orioles had since summoned Mason Williams and Cedric Mullins as potential depth options, and they reportedly attempted to sign free-agent outfielder Yasiel Puig, who agreed to terms with the Braves according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.

All of which has led to the depth chart looking largely like it was projected to when camp opened, with Austin Hays the projected starter in center and DJ Stewart and Santander, if healthy, expected to get the lion’s share of reps at either corner spot.

The switch-hitting Santander, 25, emerged as a middle-of-the-order threat last summer for the Orioles, hitting .261 with 20 homers and a .773 OPS in 93 games.

“I prefer to get him going,” Hyde said. “I think Tony is a big part of our team. He’s a middle-of-the-order hitter for us. We’re going to get him ready as quickly as we possibly can.”

Whether Santander is ready or not, Hyde said, “will really be about how he recovers and how he is physically going into [Opening Day]."

The Orioles open the season July 24 in Boston against the Red Sox. Santander was not made available for comment Tuesday.

“I have some concerns about soft-tissue stuff,” Hyde said. “We need to get him on the bases, reps in the outfield and as many live at-bats as possible in the next nine days or so.”

Mountcastle movin’ again
While the status of No. 4 prospect Ryan Mountcastle with regards to the Opening Day roster hasn’t changed, the focus has when it comes to where the Orioles view his defensive position. Hyde said Tuesday that the team is working Mountcastle out primarily as a left fielder, sprinkling in some reps at first base. He is no longer viewed as a third baseman.

“I think he needs experience in the outfield,” Hyde said. “He needs reps ... it’s something that’s new to him. As long as he’s not with us, he’s going to make defense a real priority.”

It is the latest shift in defensive identity for Mountcastle, who was drafted as a shortstop, developed as a third baseman, moved to first base last year and began working out in right field this spring. Mountcastle played 84 games at first base with Triple-A Norfolk last season, 26 in left and nine at third.

The Orioles have routinely cited his defense as the reason for holding Mountcastle out of contention for an Opening Day roster spot, despite his offensive qualifications. Mountcastle was the organization’s player of the year and won the International League MVP Award last season, hitting .312 with 25 homers and an .871 OPS.

“I think I’ve made some strides at positions they want me to improve on,” Mountcastle said. “I will show them out here in the intrasquad games and in practice -- I am trying to show them I can help them win games.”

Rotation station
Optioning Hector Velázquez to the alternate training site Tuesday seems to inadvertently clear a path to the Opening Day roster for veteran left-hander Tommy Milone, who is battling Kohl Stewart for the fifth-starter job but also was seen as a potential swingman, like Velazquez. Now it appears the Orioles should have the flexibility to carry both Milone and Stewart, with the question shifting more toward role.

Both are candidates to provide length, whether it is at the start of games or in the middle innings.

“Until I’m officially told that I have a spot, I have to assume that I’m still competing,” Milone said. “The only thing I can control is going out there and pitching, and that’s what I’ve tried to do -- leave little doubt in their mind to me being in that rotation.”

Milone made his latest case Monday, retiring 15 of his first 16 hitters during an intrasquad game at Oriole Park. The nine-year veteran has pitched for six teams, most recently posting a 4.76 ERA in 23 games as a swingman for the Mariners last season.