Who might make the A's Opening Day roster?

The A’s had very few holes to fill on their roster to begin Spring Training, which is a product of their young core that has settled in at the Major League level. Still, the few spots that are available remain very much up in the air.

Veteran right-hander Mike Fiers remains likely to begin the season on the injured list due to left hip inflammation. That leaves the final spot in the rotation a primary focus over the final days of camp as the A’s have a few candidates to choose from. Other bench spots like catcher and outfield will also need a final decision soon.

With only about week left of Cactus League action, here’s an early look at how Oakland's 26-man roster is shaping up.

Catcher (2): Sean Murphy, Aramis Garcia
After quietly putting together a solid rookie campaign during the regular season, Murphy busted out in the postseason by flexing his muscles with some big home runs in both the American League Wild Card and Division Series. Though he’s yet to appear in a game this spring as he recovers from emergency surgery to repair a collapsed lung, the A’s expect Murphy to make his Cactus League debut in the coming week and maintain that he will be a full go by Opening Day. He’ll get the bulk of the playing time behind the plate.

Garcia, who was acquired along with Elvis Andrus in a five-player deal with Texas this offseason, entered Spring Training as the favorite for the backup job, and has shown he is fully recovered from hip surgery that forced him to miss the 2020 season by performing well both on offense and behind the plate this spring. Austin Allen and veteran Carlos Pèrez are also in the mix for that spot.

First base (1): Matt Olson
Olson has his spot secured, not only providing a powerful bat in the middle of the order but also Gold Glove Award-caliber defense. Mitch Moreland could give Olson a breather here and there, but the bulk of his playing time will likely come as the designated hitter.

Second base (2): Jed Lowrie, Tony Kemp
There seems to be something magical about the green and gold for Lowrie, who is looking like his old A’s self as he battles for a third stint with Oakland on a Minor League deal. Returning from offseason knee surgery, Lowrie hit his first spring homer last week, and manager Bob Melvin has been impressed with the veteran’s swing to the point that he’s indicated that Lowrie is a strong candidate for the No. 2 spot in the lineup this season as long as he remains healthy. The A’s would love for Lowrie to get back to the All-Star hitter he was in 2018 during his most recent go with the club. But having only appeared in nine Major League games over the previous two seasons due to knee issues, the team will remain cautious with Lowrie’s workload early on. Kemp got off to a strong start in Cactus League play and is likely to see the most time at second on days Lowrie needs a rest.

Third base (1): Matt Chapman
Chapman appears to have made a full recovery from his season-ending hip surgery last September. The star third baseman has already shown off his impressive defense in games this spring, reminding everyone of his resumé that includes two Gold and Platinum Glove Awards. Chapman has also emerged as a true leader for this club.

Shortstop (1): Elvis Andrus
The A’s traded for Andrus to fill the void left behind by the departure of Marcus Semien, who was a mainstay at shortstop since 2015 before signing with the Blue Jays as a free agent this offseason. Though Andrus is a newcomer, the veteran is a familiar face to most A’s players and coaches on the staff after the many battles against him while he was a member of the Rangers over the past 12 years. Andrus, 32, is looking to bounce back in Oakland after a back injury limited the former All-Star to just 29 games and a .194 batting average last year.

Outfield (4): Mark Canha, Ramón Laureano, Stephen Piscotty, Ka'ai Tom
With Robbie Grossman signing with the Tigers this offseason, the A’s outfield becomes less crowded with Canha, Laureano and Piscotty expected to play every day. Seth Brown was a strong candidate to begin the season as the club’s fourth outfielder, though Tom, who the A’s selected in the Rule 5 Draft this offseason, has looked dynamic in his first week of action as he returns from an oblique injury. Tom’s opposite-field approach and smooth swing have caught the attention of the big league staff, and he now appears to have a strong shot to make the Opening Day roster. Buddy Reed, Oakland’s No. 21 prospect, was thought to have an outside chance after a fantastic start to camp, but a right quad strain led to him being shut down without a timetable to return.

Designated hitter (1): Mitch Moreland
Though his defense has been recognized with a Gold Glove Award in the past, Moreland is likely to spend most of his time at the DH spot, where playing time was freed up after the departure of slugger Khris Davis in the five-player deal that netted Andrus. Heavily utilized in a platoon role over the past few years with the Red Sox and Padres, Moreland could see that continue with the A’s in a combo with Mark Canha, who split time mostly at DH and in left field last season.

Utility (1): Chad Pinder
Proving his value with strong play at the hot corner in Chapman’s absence last season, Pinder will continue his key role with the team as a super-utility man who can play every position outside of pitcher and catcher.

Starting pitchers (5): Chris Bassitt, Jesús Luzardo, Frankie Montas, Sean Manaea, A.J. Puk
The injury to Fiers leaves No. 2 prospect Puk, who is in camp coming off shoulder surgery, as the front runner to fill the veteran’s rotation slot. The left-hander’s health will determine whether he can finally make his long-awaited debut as a starter in the big leagues. If he gets through Spring Training free of injuries, there’s a chance he can start out in the rotation, though Melvin said a move to the bullpen is also a possibility. Top right-handed pitching prospect Daulton Jefferies and left-hander Cole Irvin are also in the mix to fill Fiers’ slot in the rotation.

Relievers (8): Trevor Rosenthal, Sergio Romo, Jake Diekman, Yusmeiro Petit, Adam Kolarek, J.B. Wendelken, Burch Smith, Lou Trivino
After losing All-Star closer Liam Hendriks, right-hander Joakim Soria and left-hander T.J. McFarland to free agency, the A’s revamped their bullpen just before the start of camp. A trade for the left-handed Kolarek was followed by the signing of Romo and re-signing of Petit. Rosenthal signed a one-year deal and will likely assume closer duties, though the A’s may opt to stray from traditional bullpen usage at times and call upon their top relievers in high-leverage situations, even if those come earlier in games.