Flurry of Orioles injury updates is leading to some tough upcoming roster decisions

There's probably not a team that is in flux right now more than the Baltimore Orioles. Just as the club was planning on how to cash in on top trade chips like Felix Bautista, they've seen the injury bug yet again veer them off course with the star closer hitting the shelf with a shoulder injury.

On the flip side, a plethora of previously wounded birds are about to rejoin the big club led by star catcher Adley Rutschman. While no one will ever complain about getting talent back from the IL, the timing makes for a chaotic moment as Baltimore also gears up to make several more moves at the deadline.

Orioles have several difficult roster decisions on the horizon

First, the musical chairs at the catcher position will continue with Rutschman's return imminent. Baltimore had to scramble earlier this month after Gary Sanchez joined the walking wounded contingency of backstops on the injured list, striking a trade with the hated Yankees for the services of 29 year-old catcher Alex Jackson.

Jackson and 35-year-old veteran Jacob Stallings have shared catching duties over the last couple of weeks. Stallings has turned in some solid performances, calling games and doing the little things defensively, but providing absolutely nothing with the bat. Jackson, meanwhile, has brought the thunder with a .769 slugging percentage and three homers in just 26 plate appearances. Now, Baltimore will have to decide which one gets the boot.

Elsewhere, lefty Keegan Akin will be reinserted into the bullpen, quickly giving the club a second lefty after the deal that sent Gregory Soto to the New York Mets. The pitching staff will get more reinforcements as well, with Tyler Wells and Kyle Bradish nearing returns, further creating a logjam.

Of course, trades of veterans such as Charlie Morton would make the calculus moving forward that much simpler. Ditto for Ryan Mountcastle's impending return, which will cause a bottleneck in the first base/designated hitter department, unless, of course, the Orioles are able to flip the highly desirable Ryan O'Hearn over the next couple of days.

With all these pieces flowing in and out, the only thing that is certain is that when the dust settles at the beginning of August, the roster will look significantly different than it does currently. Of course, if the Orioles drop the ball on maximizing their trade assets, they'll be forced into even more tough decisions as they try to find homes for everyone. Mike Elias has his work cut out for him, and it's safe to say he's probably wishing that the cavalry were delayed just a bit in order to save him some of these logistical headaches..

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