BALTIMORE — While the Yankees were preparing to play the hapless Orioles on Monday night at Camden Yards, their eyes were peaking toward Tampa.

That’s where Didi Gregorius and Giancarlo Stanton, two big talents the Yankees hope to get back from the injured list, took steps in that process.

Gregorius played five innings at shortstop and made five plate appearances in an extended spring training game during the day and Stanton was in the lineup for the Single-A Tampa Tarpons in the evening at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Stanton went 1-for-3 with a home run against the Florida Fire Frogs.

While Gleyber Torres has filled in very well at shortstop and the Yankees were atop the AL East with Stanton going down three games into the season, adding Gregorius and Stanton is a must. So, too, is welcoming back Aaron Judge, Dellin Betances and Luis Severino at some point.

“Looking forward to all of them getting back,’’ said Aaron Boone, whose club started Monday’s action a half-game up on the second-place Rays in the AL East. “They have all been a part of what we are doing. Over the long haul of the season, 162 games, you want to get your dudes back in there.’’

Gregorius playing in a game at short for the first time on Monday is a major step forward in his return from Tommy John surgery last fall on his right elbow. Ditto Stanton, who hasn’t played a game since March 31 due to a strained left biceps and a shoulder problem that required a cortisone shot in mid-April.

Against Tigers minor leaguers, Gregorius got two hits and a walk in five plate appearances and made a throwing error on the first of three chances he got at short.

“Got a lot of at-bats and told me he threw one away so the arm was feeling too good, I guess,’’ Boone said of Gregorius, who will DH on Tuesday and could be getting close to being assigned to the Tarpons for the beginning of a minor league rehab stint. “Couple of more days there and hopefully get transferred to the Tarpons. A big step, obviously, in the return for Didi.’’

As for Stanton, Boone was talking before the DH/left fielder took his first at bat in almost seven weeks, but spoke optimistically.

“Him getting reps and comfortable. In a lot of ways he will let us know how he is feeling,’’ Boone said. “I’m excited to hear he is teeing it back up [Monday] and getting back into it.’’

Boone said Stanton will be evaluated often and could move from Single-A to the big leagues depending on how he looks.

“We will evaluate where we think he is at. We could transfer him somewhere or just bring him here,’’ Boone said. “Those are the conversations we will have each day.’’

Without Stanton to play left and Brett Gardner filling in for Aaron Hicks in center until last week, Boone has used seven players in left and seven as the DH.

Mike Tauchman, who is no longer with the team and playing for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, made 17 starts in left. Luke Voit the regular first baseman, has been the DH in 13 games.

While there will be no discussion where Gregorius will play when he comes off the shelf, that won’t be the case for Stanton. Left field or DH will be in the picture and it could come down to what position is producing at the plate when he returns. Gardner could play left and Stanton DH. Or Stanton could play left if Kendrys Morales is hitting as the DH.

First, however, Gregorius and Stanton need to return before figuring out where they fit in Boone’s lineup.