masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgUpdating what I’ve heard about the 2015 schedule, the Orioles definitely will open against the Rays at Tropicana Field. That’s the word coming out of St. Petersburg, Tampa and the surrounding areas.

See you there.

The home opener is April 10 against the Blue Jays.

The Orioles begin tonight trailing the Angels by two games for the best record in the American League. The Athletics are 4 1/2 back.

Should fans here divert their attention from the Yankees and start paying closer attention to…Updating what I’ve heard about the 2015 schedule, the Orioles definitely will open against the Rays at Tropicana Field. That’s the word coming out of St. Petersburg, Tampa and the surrounding areas.

See you there.

The home opener is April 10 against the Blue Jays.

The Orioles begin tonight trailing the Angels by two games for the best record in the American League. The Athletics are 4 1/2 back.

Should fans here divert their attention from the Yankees and start paying closer attention to the Angels?

The Orioles have posted 10 shutouts this season. The last time they had 11 was 1999, and the club record is 21 set in 1961.

Twenty-one?

First baseman Christian Walker and right-hander Tyler Wilson, named the organzation’s minor league Player and Pitcher of the Year, respectively, have impressed Showalter this season and left him encouraged about their futures in the organization.

“Consistency,” Showalter said. “I think with one exception Christian was consistent. The thing I’m most happy about with him is how he’s made strides defensively. It’s something that a lot of people talk about, but you’ve got to preach it. ‘Hey, you’re not going to play up here if you can’t defend.’

“Wilson has been so consistent. Two or three outings I’ve seen of him, he looks really good. He’s a competitive guy. I keep asking guys about him and like R.J. (Ron Johnson) said, ‘This guy is a winning pitcher.’ He knows how to win. He knows how to minimize damage when guys get on. He can locate a fastball. There’s not a wipeout pitch, but when you put it in one package, it’s good stuff.

“I don’t think it’s one of these awards that these guys won just statistically. That’s part of it, I’m sure, but it also had to do with they are also prospects.”

I mentioned earlier that first baseman Steve Pearce could return to the lineup on Saturday at Tropicana Field, where the lights may or may not stay on, depending on the weather and other forces.

“Steve’s gonna take some short toss off the tee and if that goes well, take some BP probably tomorrow. If he gets through that, he’s a player,” Showalter said.

“Pretty good today. I’d say Friday or Saturday, probably Saturday more than likely. Its funny just watching them, you get to know them, walk around and their facial expressions and you can tell when they’re making progress and when they’re not. And you can tell he’s getting close.”

miller-white-pitching-sidebar.jpgReliever Andrew Miller is day-to-day after tweaking his left leg on Monday.

“The issue he had is getting better each day. Hopefully, at some point it’s completely resolved,” Showalter said.

The Orioles can take their time with Miller now that they’ve added relievers Ryan Webb and Joe Saunders.

I also wrote earlier that head athletic trainer Richie Bancells is upbeat about catcher Matt Wieters’ recovery from ligament-reconstructive surgery on his right elbow.

“I said, ‘What would he be doing to make you feel bad?’ He said the range of motion is the key,” Showalter said. “Said he’s able to crank on it pretty good and get the range of motion back. Both of us don’t like saying he’s ahead of schedule, behind schedule, but he really likes where (Wieters) is in the rehab part of it.”

Jonathan Schoop will attempt to homer in three straight games.

“I don’t think Jonathan ever gets to an over-confident, ‘I’ve got this figured out.’ He’s got a real healthy respect for it,” Showalter said. “He is a self-confident guy. That’s why he gets a little frustrated. But he’s not too full of himself, either.

“He enjoys contributing. You see how sometimes he can’t suppress a smile. He’s got a very infectious smile. He’s a fun guy to be around. I can’t remember even remember walking in here any day and I feel like he was having a bad day, a woe is me. What is there to feel bad about? I mean, gosh.

“He’s pretty funny, too, when he drops his guard enough. He was talking to one of the guys at second base about how consistent he had been. He said, ‘You guys go up. I’m .210, .210, .210, .210, .210.”

I’ll always remember where I was the night that the on-deck circles disappeared at Camden Yards.

Catcher Caleb Joseph said he’s fine after slipping and falling last night while chasing a foul ball. His ego is bruised more than his backside.

Showalter immediately had the on-deck circles removed and said they won’t return.

“You all heard me talk about safety,” he said. “You won’t see those again here. It was something we had talked about. We were trying to get them covered with turf. You’ll probably see chalk tonight. You are mandated by MLB to have an on-deck circle someplace where people are supposed to stand to keep people from getting somewhere they shouldn’t be. That’s why you see them there.

“We had some turf ones in the playoffs in 2012. We talked earlier in the year about turfing those over, so that was my fault. I was kicking myself because I didn’t follow up on it to make sure that wasn’t there.

“It shouldn’t matter whether the guy’s got steel spikes on or plastic spikes, because you’ll slip on both of them. That’s one of the reasons why we wanted to get that warning track off the field. The plastic, rubberized thing.”