This, that and the other

Representatives for Major League Baseball and the players association will meet again on Saturday, at which time we finally should get confirmation whether the start of spring training is going to be delayed.

That's the expectation, and has been for a while. But commissioner Rob Manfred wasn't ready to concede it yesterday during his media session at the owners' meetings in Orlando.

"We understand where the calendar is," Manfred told reporters. "Until we have that conversation and see how this session on Saturday goes, it's no change."

A rush job would be necessary to get Orioles pitchers and catchers in camp by Tuesday. Early arrivals among players on the 40-man roster, a very common occurrence in Sarasota, are prohibited by the lockout.

Manfred stated that a minimum four-week spring training is necessary to prevent a delay to the regular season. Anything less is an injury risk, with the three-week 2020 summer camps providing evidence.

Spring camps could open within a few days after a new collective bargaining agreement is in place, according to Manfred. He's an optimist, also according to Manfred, who said missing games in the regular season would be a "disastrous outcome" for the industry.

The league will make a "good-faith, positive" proposal on Saturday, Manfred said.

In the meantime, and there's always something else to chew on, Manfred said an agreement is in place to implement a universal designated hitter this year and to eliminate draft pick compensation for signing free agents who decline the qualifying offer. But the sides must come together on issues such as revenue sharing and competitive balance tax, and on compensation for younger players earlier in their careers.

The league already has offered to raise minimum salaries to create a centrally funded pre-arbitration bonus pool for younger players, but the union balked at the amount.

Orioles pitchers and catchers report to minor league camp on Feb. 28, followed by position players on March 8. Those are the only known details at the moment.

Grapefruit League games won't be played without a new CBA.

The universal DH forces Orioles left-hander John Means to sit on his .333 average and .929 OPS. The true crime here.

The market could expand for players with glove-last reputations, whether in trades or free agency. The Orioles don't need a DH while Trey Mancini and Ryan Mountcastle switch between the role and first base, but check out the National League clubs that must adjust their rosters.

I was asked in the last mailbag whether Mancini is a more viable trade candidate with DHs in both leagues. The short answer is yes, because more teams could view him as a fit that don't want a first baseman or corner outfielder. It's simple logic. But he's always been available in the right offer. And the Orioles haven't been actively trying to move him.

* The Orioles finished their minicamps last month, but non-roster players are lingering in Sarasota.

They're also working out.

Most of them are players coming back from injuries or illnesses. Outfielder Heston Kjerstad falls in the latter group after making a full recovery from the inflammation in his heart muscle that kept him out of professional baseball following the 2020 draft.

Others include infielders Joey Ortiz and César Prieto, outfielders Ryan Higgins and Reed Trimble, and pitchers Carter Baumler and Brenan Hanifee.

Kjerstad continues to face live pitching and is full-go for spring training.

* Baseball America's first mock draft for 2022 has the Orioles selecting Georgia prep outfielder Druw Jones with the first overall pick. So did Prospects Live a month earlier.

Back in December, MLBPipeline.com projected Georgia prep second baseman Termarr Johnson as the No. 1 selection, followed by Jones at No. 2.

Jones is the son of former Braves outfielder Andruw Jones - hence, the spelling of his first name - and he's a special talent. But that's usually the case with players tabbed to go early in the first round.

He's a five-tool prospect, with the speed and defensive skills to stay in center field. The power is going to be a plus, as well. And the draft is lacking in pitchers worthy of going 1/1.

The Orioles have taken an outfielder first in the last two drafts - Kjerstad out of the University of Arkansas and Colton Cowser out of Sam Houston State. Jones would be the first prep player in the opening round since Mike Elias was hired as executive vice president/general manager.

* The Rays signed former Orioles pitcher Dusten Knight to a minor league contract on Wednesday, according to the team's transactions page.

Knight, 31, made his major league debut on Aug. 4 at Yankee Stadium and appeared in seven games, allowing nine earned runs (10 total) and 11 hits over 8 2/3 innings. He walked five batters, struck out 11 and never got to perform a backflip on the mound after a save.

It was a sweet move in the minors. Stuck the landing every time.

The Orioles outrighted Knight on Sept. 21 and he became a minor league free agent after the season.