SARASOTA–What’s happening? The Orioles optioned first baseman/third baseman Coby Mayo to minor league camp. They also reassigned their other top prospect, catcher/first baseman Samuel Basallo, to minor league camp along with right-handers Corbin Martin, Levi Stoudt and Thaddeus Ward, infielder Nick Gordon and outfielder Daz Cameron.

Manager Brandon Hyde said with a deep Orioles roster, decisions are difficult.

“That’s what happens when you have good teams. Good teams option players that they like,” Hyde said. “I thought that Coby ended his camp well. I thought he swung the bat well this last week. We’re happy about his performance, especially this last week in spring training, and the improvements he’s made defensively in both spots.

“I thought he relaxed and was playing the game easier the last week. He looks like he was having a lot more fun out there. I know he was pressing early. That’s really a problem with young players coming into camp. I thought the last week the at-bats were much better.”

The 23-year-old Mayo described returning to Triple-A Norfolk as a “lose-lose” situation. “It obviously sucks because you feel like you’ve proved everything you needed to. Sometimes it doesn’t feel like it’s quite enough,” Mayo said.

Mayo was hitting .190 with three RBIs in 17 games after starting 1-for-23. He struck out 13 times in 42 at-bats.

“I want guys to have confidence, for sure,” Hyde said. “It’s tough to play at this level when you don’t have big-time confidence. I want guys to take it the right way. I want guys  to prove they should be in the big leagues by putting up performance as well as working on things that we think they need to work on.”

Hyde said that shortstop Gunnar Henderson, who hasn’t played since February 27^th because of a strained right intercostal muscle, took batting practice with coaches on Tuesday.

After an offday on Wednesday, the Orioles will play the New York Yankees on Thursday night at 6:05. Tomoyuki Sugano, who’s thrown five scoreless innings in four starts, will be opposed by Will Warren.

The game will be televised remotely on MASN. Kevin Brown and Jim Palmer have the call.

Hyde said that infielder Ramón Urías, who’s been out with a strained left hamstring, should be back in the lineup for Thursday’s game.

Starting pitcher Grayson Rodriguez threw for the first time since the Orioles shut him down after his March 5^th start because of right elbow discomfort. Rodriguez threw from 75 feet.

Infielder Emmanuel Rivera continues to be out with a left shoulder injury.

Right-hander Chayce McDermott, who hasn’t pitched this spring because of a right lat/teres injury, threw a light side session, Hyde said.

Albert Suárez will start on Friday night in Sarasota against the Detroit Tiger’s Tarik Skubal.

What’s happened? Hyde decided that Charlie Morton, who was scheduled to pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays, would pitch six simulated innings on the back fields. He started Cade Povich instead.

Povich walked Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the game’s first two batters, but didn’t allow a hit in five innings, striking out six as the Orioles beat the Blue Jays, 8-2, before 7,323 at Ed Smith Stadium on Tuesday night.

“A couple of early walks I guess I’d like to get back,” Povich said. “Settled down the rest of the game and just kind of attack and go back to what’s been working for me the past handful of starts.”

In his previous start against the Blue Jays last Thursday in Dunedin, Povich gave up five runs on eight hits in 4 2/3 innings.

“Today was really just about mixing stuff, attacking early and reading swings,” Povich said. “Overall, I felt pretty good. Maybe get one more [start] before the season starts. Really trying to treat this one more in-season or game-like.”

Povich and Albert Suárez are competing for the fifth starter’s spot.

“We’ve got a week left, so not many more opportunities so if this is my last one, leave it all out and hopefully give myself the best shot,” Povich said.

“Both of those guys are throwing the ball great,” Hyde said.

While he was facing Toronto’s regulars for the second straight time, Povich had Oriole regulars behind him, simulating a regular-season game.

“Night game. Our guys versus their guys … it definitely felt like a true in-season game other than the stadium, of course,” Povich said.

Ryan Mountcastle hit his third and fourth home runs of the spring. He has 14 RBIs. Cedric Mullins and Ryan O’Hearn each had their first.

“I’m feeling pretty good at the plate,” Mountcastle said. “I’m pretty close to being ready.”

Jackson Holliday stole second and third in the fourth, his fourth and fifth this spring.

“We’re super dynamic. We’ve got athletes all over the field,” Mountcastle said. “They’re not any base-clogging guys, either. It’s an exciting team and athletic.”

Mountcastle thinks the Orioles are contenders again.

“We’re going into the season with that mindset,” Mountcastle said. “We’ve got a really good lineup, really good pitching. We’ll see how everything unfolds. We’re very confident in how good of a team we have.”

Colton Cowser had two hits and is hitting .400.

Bryan Baker allowed a home run to Bo Bichette, Toronto’s first hit in the sixth. Gregory Soto gave up a run in the seventh. Keegan Akin pitched a scoreless eighth and minor leaguer Gerald Ogando a scoreless ninth.

What’s up with? Samuel Basallo was assigned to minor league camp after impressing Hyde this spring.

“He’s at-bats away,” Hyde said about the 20-year-old catcher/first baseman. “He was so fun to watch in camp, knowing that he’s going to go to Triple-A, knowing that he’s 20 years old and he doesn’t have a lot of upper-level at-bats. We think that’s important. I was super impressed with his defense at two positions. I love the way he played first. Really liked the improvements he made behind the plate … You saw the raw power. Now, it’s about understanding the strike zone.”

What’s what? The Orioles want Mayo to cut down on his strikeouts, and they’re hoping he can do that at Norfolk

“Most young players’ strike-zone awareness … continue to develop the ability to manage the strike zone,” Hyde said.

The Orioles also want to see improvement at first and third bases.

“The game’s fast up here,” Hyde said. “More reps at Triple-A. That’s what we think he needs right now.”

What’s the word? “We’re sensitive to the fact that going to Triple-A isn’t what anybody wants to do, but it’s part of the game.”-Hyde on Orioles optioning Mayo to minor league camp.

What’s the number? .314/1.130. Mountcastle’s batting average and OPS in Grapefruit League games.

What’s the record? 12-12-1. The Orioles will play the New York Yankees on Thursday night at 6:05 at Ed Smith Stadium.