This story was excerpted from Rhett Bollinger¡¯s Angels Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

With Spring Training just weeks away, it¡¯s time to take a look at a few potential roster battles for the Angels this spring.

The Angels were aggressive in improving the roster early in the offseason but have since only signed veterans such as Tim Anderson and J.D. Davis to Minor League deals in recent weeks. But they could still make additions before heading to camp on Feb. 11 and aren¡¯t hesitant to make moves once Spring Training has started.

So things can certainly change, but with the roster as currently constructed, here are three position battles worth monitoring this spring:

Fifth starter
The top four spots in the rotation are essentially set, as the Angels signed both Yusei Kikuchi and Kyle Hendricks as free agents to join veteran lefty Tyler Anderson and right-hander Jos¨¦ Soriano. But the fifth spot is up for grabs and the Angels have plenty of internal candidates, such as Jack Kochanowicz, Reid Detmers and Chase Silseth.

Top prospects Caden Dana (Angels' No. 1), George Klassen (No. 3) and Sam Aldegheri (No. 8) will also get looks this spring, but Kochanowicz, Detmers and Silseth are the top candidates for that spot. Kochanowicz would likely have the leg up based on what he did over his final nine starts last year, posting a 2.78 ERA in 58 1/3 innings despite a low strikeout rate. But Detmers and Silseth both possess elite stuff and will get a shot. Silseth is also a candidate to be moved to relief, while Detmers would remain stretched out to start at Triple-A if he doesn¡¯t make the Opening Day roster. Both Silseth and Detmers still have Minor League options, which gives the Angels some flexibility.

Bullpen
The Angels still seem likely to add a reliever or two via free agency, but as of now flamethrower Ben Joyce appears likely to be the club¡¯s top reliever and closer after his breakout year. Others with strong cases to be part of the bullpen include Brock Burke, Ryan Zeferjahn and Jos¨¦ Quijada. Hans Crouse also figures to be part of that mix, while the Angels took lefty Garrett McDaniels from the Dodgers in the Rule 5 Draft and he'll get a long look.

Jos¨¦ Suarez will come into camp stretched out to start, but he is more likely to be the club¡¯s long reliever. Jack Dashwood is also someone to watch after a strong showing in the Arizona Fall League. Robert Stephenson is coming off Tommy John surgery and is expected to miss the early part of the season. But Stephenson should be a key piece for the club after signing a three-year deal worth $33 million before last season.

Infield bench spots
The Angels will have competition in the infield, especially with shortstop Zach Neto expected to miss the start of the season after undergoing right shoulder surgery in early November. The Angels signed Kevin Newman to a one-year deal with a club option while also trading for Scott Kingery. They also added Anderson and Davis to the mix last week, which adds some intrigue. Both players are coming off rough years but aren¡¯t far removed from being productive. Ryan Noda was also claimed off waivers from the A¡¯s early in the offseason, but he¡¯s limited to first base and outfield.

The Angels have indicated that Anthony Rendon won¡¯t be in an everyday role at third base, which means Luis Rengifo is likely to see action there. Halos No. 2 prospect Christian Moore will compete for the starting second-base job this spring, but if he doesn¡¯t make the club, it means Newman and possibly Kingery will see action at second. The Angels are also high on prospects David Mershon (Unranked) and Cole Fontenelle (No. 21), with Mershon able to handle the middle infield and Fontenelle as more of a corner infielder. But both are more likely to start the year in the Minors.