masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgThe Orioles are off today, though manager Buck Showalter says it’s not really an “off-day,” considering that players must report to Camden Yards for the bus ride to the airport and a few guys will be working out.
There’s going to be a lot of interest in how shortstop J.J. Hardy’s left shoulder responds to yesterday’s live batting practice session. It’s always the next day that proves to be key.
I’m asked every day how the Orioles will make room for Jimmy Paredes on the 25-man roster. I…

The Orioles are off today, though manager Buck Showalter says it’s not really an “off-day,” considering that players must report to Camden Yards for the bus ride to the airport and a few guys will be working out.

There’s going to be a lot of interest in how shortstop J.J. Hardy’s left shoulder responds to yesterday’s live batting practice session. It’s always the next day that proves to be key.

paredes-swing-sidebar-white.jpgI’m asked every day how the Orioles will make room for Jimmy Paredes on the 25-man roster. I routinely deflect the question because I have no idea.

My only sense is the Orioles won’t rush their decision. They could stall if Paredes spends the maximum 20 days on his rehab assignment.

Following Everth Cabrera’s arrest in September for suspicion of driving under the influence of marijuana and subsequent charge of resisting arrest, will the Orioles have trouble getting their infielder into Canada for the three-game series against the Blue Jays that begins on April 21? Will they need to make a roster move?

This is assuming that Cabrera remains with the Orioles after Hardy comes off the disabled list.

Cabrera would be a convenient corresponding move, but Ryan Flaherty also is a candidate since he has options.

The Orioles weren’t thrilled that the Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez took approximately 17 minutes to step into the batter’s box after being introduced as the pinch-hitter Tuesday night with two outs in the top of the ninth inning.

I thought maybe he got lost on the way or misunderstood and assumed that Major League Baseball was trying to slow the pace of the games.

Orioles hitters have been striking out too much and their pitchers have been issuing too many walks. #analysis

tommy-hunter-staring-off-gray-sidebar.jpgThe bullpen has been scored upon in all nine games. Tommy Hunter’s ERA is 14.73 in 3 2/3 innings.

“Tommy’s got so much, I don’t know, loose energy,” Showalter said. “He wants to contribute so bad he kind of gets out of whack a little bit. Gets into overthrow mode. It’s hard to back him off. Got a big strikeout of Rodriguez. He’ll be better. His track record says he’ll go through some bumps and you’ll like him when it’s all said and done.”

Steve Johnson has struck out 10 batters in 4 1/3 innings at Triple-A Norfolk. His fastball has been clocked at 90-92 mph, proving once again that it’s never a bad idea to have a bone spur shaved behind your throwing shoulder.

Dylan Bundy’s fastball topped out at 94 mph in his start with Double-A Bowie. He didn’t allow a run or hit in three innings.

Mychal Givens, who’s required by law to be referred to as “converted shortstop,” is throwing 97-98 mph with Bowie. His sidearm delivery amps up the intrigue over him and the Orioles are relieved, so to speak, that he wasn’t taken in the Rule 5 draft.

Nolan Reimold went 2-for-5 with two runs scored last night for Norfolk and is batting .360. He led off again and keeps getting on base.

You think that lawsuit may be liberating for Reimold instead of a burden? He’s wanted fans to understand that the second disc fusion surgery was a corrective procedure, not related to a new injury.

Dariel Alvarez had three hits last night, but he’s batting only .188. I hear he doesn’t look nearly as good in center field as he does in right.

Mike Wright tossed six scoreless innings with only three hits allowed. The Orioles think a late-inning relief role is his quickest path to the majors, but he’s also got a shot at the rotation in 2016, if not sooner.

Steel Russell, the son of Orioles’ bench coach John Russell, will be activated from the minor league disabled list today and placed on Single-A Frederick’s roster. He suffered a concussion, but he’s been cleared to play.

Russell underwent surgery last May to repair a broken right thumb. He might replace Chance Sisco, who was hit on the right hand by an opponent’s bat a few days ago while attempting to throw out a runner.

Momma, don’t let your babies grow up to be catchers.

While the Orioles focus on trying to repeat as American League East champions, they’re also considering their options at various positions with 10 pending free agents on the roster. They started out with 11 before trading reliever Ryan Webb.

Besides Wright, left-hander T.J. McFarland is starting at Norfolk and could be a rotation candidate next spring with Wei-Yin Chen and Bud Norris possibly leaving the organization. They wouldn’t mind having another southpaw in the bullpen with Wesley Wright on the disabled list, but they seem inclined to keep McFarland with the Tides.

The Orioles wanted to hold onto Rule 5 pitcher Logan Verrett, who also would have been a consideration for next year’s rotation. They’d like to keep Jason Garcia, the other Rule 5 pitcher, but it’s going to be a challenge.

Garcia was moved to the bullpen after undergoing ligament-reconstructive surgery on his right elbow. If he stays in a relief role, he could be a useful piece with Hunter and Darren O’Day also free agents. The Orioles are peering into the future while continuing to evaluate him.

The trick, of course, is carrying a Rule 5 pick who hadn’t pitched above low Single-A until this year. A contender can’t stash him in a seven-man bullpen. He’s got to contribute, though Showalter will try to pick and choose his spots.

For example, Garcia was warming in the bullpen with the Orioles trailing the Blue Jays by two runs. They got within one and Garcia sat down.

Whether Garcia makes it through the entire season without being placed on waivers – at least one member of the organization is convinced that the Rays would claim him – rates as one of the most interesting storylines of the season.

Showalter doesn’t want to lose players simply because the Orioles ran out of room on the 25-man roster, but it’s a genuine risk – I loved that filly, by the way – with such little flexibility. Too many players who are out of options or, in Garcia’s case, can’t be optioned due to Rule 5 status.

Last night’s game never was threatened by rain. However, the Tuesday night game looked iffy for a while, but it started on time and the field was in its usual superb condition, thanks to head groundskeeper Nicole McFadyen and her crew.

“It’s always about the fans and making sure that if it starts it doesn’t stop. There’s a lot of things that go into it,” Showalter said. “You don’t look at it from a competitive standpoint. You pay the piper for doubleheaders. You pay the piper.

“A lot of people with their facility wouldn’t have been able to start that game, and the field never got sloppy. Nicole’s the best in the business.”

Miguel-Gonzalez-white-sidebar 2.pngDuring a recent pregame media session, Showalter reflected on the day he saw Miguel Gonzalez at Bowie and the qualities that make the right-hander blend so nicely on the staff after signing out of the Mexican League in March 2012.

“He’s very driven,” Showalter said. “This guy was sitting over on a Double-A field and I had somebody say, ‘Hey, you might want to take a look at this guy a little bit.’ He was trying to make the Bowie club at that time.

“He was a great tree shake, you know? And I think he’s as good a person as he is a pitcher. He really fits what we’re trying to do, and also financially. He allows us to do some other things that we need to get done, whether it be a Hardy or certain things that we have to do to stay competitive.”

A great tree shake. I expect to find it any day now on the Sonic menu.