PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- The Twins' starters look largely set as the roster continues to trim down in anticipation of Opening Day, but several internal options and non-roster invitees are making strong pushes for inclusion on Minnesota's limited bench. This will ultimately lead to some challenging discussions for manager Rocco Baldelli and his staff before the team heads north.

"It's a great problem for the Twins to have, but those are very difficult decisions," Baldelli said. "When you have guys that give you everything that they have and they're great people and great players, it's not always easy. Those decisions are not always easy or fun for anyone."

With less than two weeks to go until the Twins open their 2019 campaign against the Indians at Target Field on March 28, here's a look at how the battle for Minnesota's bench is shaping up:

Good bets

Mitch Garver
Spring stats: 4-for-29 (.138), 2 HR, 2 doubles
Out of options: No
Garver is a safe bet to break camp as the Twins' backup catcher. He was named to his first Opening Day roster last season and played much of the year as the club's primary catcher after Jason Castro was sidelined with knee surgery. Though Garver has been known more for his bat during his rise through the Twins' system, he has made strides this spring in his receiving and framing through concerted work with Minor League catching coordinator Tanner Swanson.

Ehire Adrianza
Spring stats: 11-for-28 (.393), 2 HR, 3 doubles, 1 triple
Out of options: Yes
Adrianza is out of options and has posted solid numbers at the plate this spring despite undergoing shoulder surgery during the offseason that limited his ability to hit right-handed at the start of camp. His ability to play solid defense at three infield positions and even bounce into the outfield at times will be valuable, especially in light of Miguel Sanó's injury.

Competing

Willians Astudillo
Spring stats: 9-for-38 (.237), 2 HR, 1 double
Out of options: No
Astudillo started Spring Training with a bang by clubbing two homers in his first session of live batting practice, and true to form, he's the only Twins regular without a strikeout this spring despite being among the team's leaders in plate appearances. His path to the roster is more clear after Sanó's injury, as Astudillo has spent much of the spring at third base, along with time in left field and behind the plate. If he were to make the team, that could free up more opportunities for Garver to get into the lineup at first base or designated hitter.

Tyler Austin
Spring stats: 15-for-37 (.405), 2 HR, 2 doubles
Out of options: Yes
Austin showed solid power to all fields after coming to Minnesota in last season's Lance Lynn trade -- and he leads the Twins in hits this spring -- but Minnesota's first-base picture is crowded with C.J. Cron, Marwin Gonzalez and Garver all able to play the position. The latter two offer more positional flexibility as backups than Austin, who said he hadn't done much outfield work yet this spring. First-base power options Luke Raley and Brent Rooker, both top-30 prospects that can also play the outfield, are set to start the season in Triple-A.

Jake Cave
Spring stats: 10-for-37 (.270), 1 HR, 2 doubles
Out of options: No
Cave can play all three outfield positions and impressed with his power and hard-hit ability when he filled in at center field during Byron Buxton's extended absence last season. Though Gonzalez might have supplanted Cave as the fourth outfielder, Cave could have a stronger opportunity with Sanó's injury sliding Gonzalez to the hot corner. Cave's remaining Minor League options could work against him in his fight for a roster spot, and his fate will likely depend on whether the Twins hold on to Michael Reed.

Michael Reed
Spring stats: 4-for-12 (.333), 1 HR
Out of options: Yes
Reed is the biggest wild card of the bunch. He's competing with Cave for the fourth outfield role after a breakout year with Atlanta's Triple-A affiliate in 2018, but he got a late start this spring after recovering from an aggravation of the back injury that sent him to the 60-day injured list late last season. Because he's out of options, the Twins would likely need to open the season with Reed on the Major League roster if they hope to hold on to him this season.

Outside, looking in

Lucas Duda
Spring stats: 8-for-28 (.286), 3 doubles, 5 walks
Duda had 30 homers two seasons ago with the Mets and Rays and has shown a good eye at the plate this spring, but the left-handed slugger might not have a fit on the roster moving forward with Cron, Gonzalez, Rooker and Raley all in the fold at first base now and in the not-so-distant future.

Adam Rosales
Spring stats: 10-for-30 (.333), 4 HR, 3 doubles
Rosales has been one of the Twins' most pleasant surprises this spring and is tied for the team home run lead with Byron Buxton, but the 35-year-old utility infielder's career .656 OPS and the presence of both Adrianza and Ronald Torreyes could make his path to the Opening Day roster difficult.

Ronald Torreyes
Spring stats: 11-for-38 (.289), 1 HR, 3 doubles
Out of options: No
Torreyes should play a role on the Major League roster at some point this season and showed a solid bat for a utility infielder in his time with the Yankees. But for the time being, Adrianza being out of options and showing solid recovery from his offseason surgery likely mean that Torreyes will need to wait for his shot.

Twins tidbits

• Tyler Duffey was optioned to Triple-A Rochester and Chase De Jong was assigned to Minor League camp on Saturday morning, trimming Minnesota's camp roster down to 44. Duffey had a 7.04 ERA with eight strikeouts and six walks in 7 2/3 innings this spring.

"I was really pleased with his camp," Baldelli said. "He's taken to some different ideas and approaches that we think are really going to help him become the pitcher that he's going to be. He has the stuff that plays at the Major League level."

• Though the Twins' game against the Rays on Saturday at Charlotte Sports Park was canceled due to rain, Kyle Gibson, the scheduled starter, threw to Astudillo at the Rays' facility to stay on schedule. Right-hander Preston Guilmet will start for the Twins when they make the long trip to Dunedin for a 12:05 p.m. CT first pitch against the Blue Jays on Sunday.