The Reds break camp on Friday, with only Wednesday's road game against the Astros in Kissimmee, Fla., and Thursday's Sarasota finale against the Pirates standing between the team and a trip to North Carolina for the first of two exhibitions (the second one coming in Dayton) before Monday's opener in Cincinnati against the Mets. With so little time remaining, there are still a few roster decisions that need to be made to round out the 25-man roster.

Certain things are set in stone. Assuming health, the starting infield is set, as are the two catchers. Four outfielders are ready to break camp, as is one infielder-outfielder. Four-fifths of the starting rotation is locked in and six of the seven members of the bullpen -- again, assuming health -- are ready to go.

That's 21 players, leaving four spots officially up for grabs. How's that going to pan out? Let's take a closer look:

No. 5 starter

Micah Owings made his final start on Tuesday against the Yankees. He pitched into the sixth and gave up four runs, but just one earned, on six hits and three walks while striking out five. He got his pitch count up to about 100, so he's ready to go -- should he get the nod. He's gone 3-1 with a 1.52 ERA over 23 2/3 spring innings, yielding 20 hits and 10 walks while striking out 24.

Homer Bailey, the other competitor, made his final start in Kissimmee on Wednesday against the Astros. Heading into that start, the right-hander was 0-1 with a 2.45 ERA in 14 2/3 innings. He'd allowed 14 hits and three walks while striking out 12. All signs pointed to Owings getting the job, but nothing has been set in stone.

"I haven't heard yet," Owings said following his start on Tuesday. "I remember when I found out in 2007, I think we had an exhibition at Chase Field [the Diamondbacks' home park]. I think I found out that game, the day before we broke camp. Again, I know that stuff takes care of itself. I'll keep focusing on what I can do on the field.

"I can see a couple of things I can work on as I move forward and get ready. It's go time, no matter what happens."

Bullpen

If Owings does indeed get the job, the Reds face another decision with Bailey. Do they send him down to Triple-A Louisville, or do they keep him as a part of the big league bullpen? Bailey, for his part, has said he's willing to give that new role a shot.

"With as much experience as we have around here, the willingness of everyone to help each other, I think I'd learn to adapt real quick," Bailey said recently. "It will be new, but it is something I think I can do. It's just another phase of pitching."

The last spot in the bullpen will likely come down to Bailey or right-hander Nick Masset, who is out of options. Masset's got a 5.60 ERA this spring, though he has pitched better overall lately, including getting out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam with only one run scoring on Tuesday. Lefty Daniel Ray Herrera is still in camp and has been outstanding, yielding just two hits and no runs in 7 1/3 innings. But he's likely to stick only if Bill Bray isn't ready to go for the opener.

Left field

It's more or less known who's going to play the position. The question is, who gets to play when? Chris Dickerson has gotten the most playing time and at the very least is one-half of a platoon. Jerry Hairston Jr., who's a bit behind because of a nasty bout with the flu, could very well be the other half. If, however, Alex Gonzalez isn't ready to start Opening Day at short, Hairston could slide to the infield, leaving Jonny Gomes as the right-handed left fielder for the time being. With the Mets coming to Cincinnati to start the season, that should mean lefty Johan Santana on the mound. So even if Dickerson ends up getting the bulk of the playing time, he's likely to watch the opener.

"I didn't have that conversation yet," Dickerson said about playing time. "It's about matchups and optimizing our chances to win the game."

Fifth outfielder

Jacque Jones is gone. So is Daryle Ward. If the Reds feel it necessary to carry a left-handed bat in this spot -- with Dickerson in the starting lineup, the bench would be lefty-less otherwise -- that means Laynce Nix will land on the roster. He's hit .250 this spring, but he does have six extra-base hits and can play all three outfield spots capably. While that does seem to be the most likely scenario, it's possible the Reds could consider Hairston as the fifth outfielder and keep Wilkin Castillo, who can catch and play the middle infield. He's hit .290 this spring and remains in camp, but this seems like a long shot.

Utility infielder

Add up the players and that brings it to 24 players. One more spot, now just two players competing for it. With Tuesday's trade of Jeff Keppinger to the Astros, that leaves Adam Rosales and Paul Janish vying for the utility spot on the roster. Rosales has hit .239 with 10 RBIs this spring and has played all four infield positions. Janish has played second, short and third this spring and has hit .234. Offense is nice, obviously, but it's more important that these two show the ability to handle the defensive assignment wherever they are on the field. Both have been able to do that and both were in the starting lineup on Wednesday against the Astros, with Janish at his natural shortstop and Rosales at first.

"It's more an issue of getting there," Janish said. "That's the goal. Whatever that takes is what you're going to do. That's the outlook I have."