Lake Buena Vista, Fla. — Only nine days until opening day, and the Braves still have five jobs undecided, although one could be decided tonight.

These are anxious times for a dozen or so players wondering where they'll be opening day — Atlanta, the Braves' minor-league system, or, in a few cases, maybe another organization.

"With guys like me trying to make the team, I'm sure it's on everybody's mind," said rookie Josh Anderson, who's competing with Gregor Blanco for the fourth outfield job.

"I know I wish they'd tell us, but I understand why they don't. They're not just going to throw together a team. They're going to do the best they can to make it all work.

"You've just got to hang with it and go to the end."

General manager Frank Wren cited five areas where the Braves are still considering multiple candidates: fourth outfielder, backup catcher, utility infielder, bullpen, and fifth starter.

"The good news is it's out of my hands," said backup first baseman Scott Thorman, one of the Braves who's out of minor-league options, meaning he can't be sent to the minors without being exposed to waivers.

"As a player, there's always the element of the unknown with your career and where you're going to be on any given day," Thorman said.

With veteran Omar Infante recovering from a broken hand and expected to spend most of April on the disabled list, the Braves have used rookie Martin Prado and prospect Brent Lillibridge at infield positions they hadn't played before.

While Lillibridge has struggled to hit the slider, Prado has had a solid spring and shown he can play shortstop, in additon to second and third. He has emerged as the favorite to win the job if the Braves go with only one utility infielder.

It's been widely assumed for two weeks — and still seems almost certain — that rookie Jair Jurrjens would be the fifth starter. "It's not set in stone," Wren said, "but it's getting close to that time. We just need to put a 'final final' on it."

That's a decision that could be made tonight, when Braves officials and manager Bobby Cox and his staff meet to discuss the roster.

"We'll meet tomorrow night," Cox said, "and try to get some of it figured out."

But some or most remaining decisions won't be finalized until the final week of the season, perhaps not until after the Braves break camp Thursday and travel to Atlanta for a two exhibition games against Cleveland on March 28-29.

The roster doesn't have to be set until midnight March 28, and the Braves will consider performances, injuries and perhaps candidates from outside the organization if one or more become available.

Veteran Javy Lopez is competing for the backup catcher job with switch-hitter Brayan Pena, superior defensive player Clint Sammons and solid journeyman Corky Miller, and Lopez hasn't shown enough yet to win the job.

The fact that Pena is out of options and can play serviceable defense at other positions makes him attractive to teams, and the Braves would have to trade him or likely lose him to waivers if they don't keep him on the opening day roster.

The Braves have four out-of-options relievers — Blaine Boyer, Chris Resop, Tyler Yates and left-hander Royce Ring — competing for what looks like three spots, and the odd man out of that mix would probably be claimed on waivers if not traded.

With so many to choose from for the last remaining spots, Wren said there's an element to keep in mind in the strategy of roster construction.

"Keep as many assets as possible," Wren said. "If there's a guy you can't keep, you try to trade him for another asset."