masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgSARASOTA, Fla. – The Orioles play three of their next four games in Fort Myers, twice facing the Twins at Hammond Stadium.
They should be able to get there with their eyes closed, which may be more than just an expression, considering the challenges of this spring’s schedule.
Ubaldo Jimenez is making his fourth start, all of them on the road.
Anyone remember Mr. Green Jeans on “Captain Kangaroo”? Well, Jimenez is Mr. Gray Pants.
Jimenez allowed six runs (five earned) in 1 1/3 innings in his…

SARASOTA, Fla. – The Orioles play three of their next four games in Fort Myers, twice facing the Twins at Hammond Stadium.

They should be able to get there with their eyes closed, which may be more than just an expression, considering the challenges of this spring’s schedule.

Ubaldo Jimenez is making his fourth start, all of them on the road.

Anyone remember Mr. Green Jeans on “Captain Kangaroo”? Well, Jimenez is Mr. Gray Pants.

Jimenez allowed six runs (five earned) in 1 1/3 innings in his debut against the Tigers, one run in two innings against the Twins and three runs in four innings against the Blue Jays. He’s issued five walks – none in his most recent outing, though he hit two batters and threw a wild pitch – and struck out eight over 7 1/3 innings.

Dariel Alvarez is in center field today. Everth Cabrera is leading off and playing shortstop.

The bullpen includes Zach Britton, Steve Johnson, Logan Verrett, Mike Wright and Tyler Wilson. The bench includes Chris Parmelee, Henry Urrutia, Ryan Lavarnway, Nolan Reimold, Mike Yastrzemski, Steel Russell, Adrian Marin, Ozzie Martinez and Garabez Rosa.

For the Orioles
Everth Cabrera SS
Steve Pearce 1B
Travis Snider LF
Delmon Young RF
Steve Clevenger DH
Jonathan Schoop 2B
Jayson Nix 3B
Caleb Joseph C
Dariel Alvarez CF

Ubaldo Jimenez RHP

Ryan Flaherty is back in the clubhouse today after being hit on the batting helmet by a pitch yesterday and passing a concussion test. Flaherty said he’s fine and came out of the game as a precaution.

“They pretty much take that out of your hands right away,” he said.

Flaherty-orange-throw-sidebar.jpg“That was the first time I got hit in the head, but I think those new helmets are pretty good, I didn’t really feel it. I’ll stay back and work out. I feel 100 percent though.”

Flaherty said he didn’t experience any dizziness.

“No, not really,” he said. “Actually, I always wondered. I’ve seen people get hit in the head and I’ve always wondered, what does that feel like? But I didn’t feel it, to be honest with you. It was just a loud noise. That was about it.

“I think I was, ‘Wow, I just got hit in the head.’ But after that, it was like, I think those new helmets that they implemented last year or the year before that take all the impact. I didn’t really feel it, to be honest with you.”

Reliever Ryan Webb will throw to live hitters Thursday and expects to get back into games shortly.

“That will be the last step,” said Webb, who’s been dealing with soreness and swelling in his left knee. “I will have had three bullpens and I’m ready to go.

“Everything feels good. It’s stronger than a week ago. I’m looking forward to getting out there and seeing how that translates.”