It should be clear that the pitchers on the 2012 Tides will be determined, in large part, by the pitchers who win spots on the 2012 Orioles. Going into spring training, no one had a spot in the Orioles starting rotation locked up. With two weeks left in spring training, there’s been a little bit of clarification, but there is also still a lot of uncertainty.

• Zach Britton is suffering from “arm inflammation” and is almost certainly not going to be in the rotation at the start of the season.
• Tommy Hunter, another rotation candidate, is making his first spring appearance today. There’s not going to be enough time for him to get ready to be in the rotation by the start of the year.
• Jake Arrieta has pitched more in minor-league games than in big-league spring games, but seems likely to be ready by opening day.
• Brian Matusz hasn’t pitched all that well, but he has a 16-1 K-BB ratio in fifteen innings and looks to be back in the rotation.
• Jason Hammel and Wei-Lin Chen have pitched well enough to solidify spots in the opening-day rotation.
• Alfredo Simon is still hanging around, but hurt his cause by not telling Buck Showalter that he had hurt his groin. That’s yet another reason why I wouldn’t want him around.
• Despite Zach Britton’s unavailabilty, Chris Tillman hasn’t really pitched well enough to seize a roster spot. Because he has an option year remaining, I think he’ll start the year at Norfolk.
• Brad Bergesen has been pitching out of the bullpen and not pitching very well. He’ll likely begin the season at Norfolk.
• Dana Eveland has pitched slightly worse than Brian Matusz.

Summary — we still don’t really know who’ll pitch for the Tides in 2012.