masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgI told you yesterday that Triple-A Norfolk pitching coach Mike Griffin isn’t currently regarded as a candidate to become the Orioles’ bullpen coach.

Griffin is one of the more highly valued members of the organization, but in this case, it keeps working against him. The Orioles don’t want to create a huge void by removing him from his post in order to fill another vacancy.

They passed him up last year while parading coaches through the bullpen for that exact same reason.

Guys like Mike…I told you yesterday that Triple-A Norfolk pitching coach Mike Griffin isn’t currently regarded as a candidate to become the Orioles’ bullpen coach.

Griffin is one of the more highly valued members of the organization, but in this case, it keeps working against him. The Orioles don’t want to create a huge void by removing him from his post in order to fill another vacancy.

They passed him up last year while parading coaches through the bullpen for that exact same reason.

Guys like Mike Bordick, Brian Graham and Bobby Dickerson also are viewed as extremely valuable members of the organization, and club officials debate whether to move them into other roles. There also are doubts whether Bordick would be willing to go on the road for extended periods of time.

It doesn’t appear that Norfolk manager Gary Allenson is being considered for the third base or bullpen coaching jobs. Same as last year at this time.

He’s held both jobs in the majors, but you never hear his name attached to these openings with the Orioles.

Luke Scott says via text message that his surgically repaired right shoulder is getting stronger every day and his final checkup comes on Monday.

So what happens after the checkup, assuming it goes well?

“I get turned loose in the gym,” he wrote.

Scott says he began training two months early.

“I will be an animal by February,” he wrote.

We’re just not sure whether it will be with the Orioles.

If Sandy Alomar Jr. gets a managing job, could Willie Randolph end up as his bench coach?

Sandy Alomar Sr. was part of Randolph’s coaching staff with the Mets.

I talked to someone earlier this week who watched Double-A Bowie outfielder Xavier Avery play for the Mesa Solar Sox of the Arizona Fall League. He noted that Avery is “raw and has got a lot to learn.”

“He’s probably on chapter 10 of infinity,” he said.

I guess you never stop learning.

It wasn’t a total slam. Avery, who’s batting .326 in the AFL, has loads of potential and is basically learning the game. But he’s far from a finished product.

It’s been suggested that Avery work on his bunting every day until he can get the ball down consistently and take advantage of his speed.

Did anyone catch the Solar Sox on MLB Network last night?

Steve Johnson allowed two hits over three scoreless innings to lower his ERA to 2.95. He didn’t walk a batter and struck out one. He threw 35 pitches, 23 for strikes. It looked like his fastball touched 93-94 mph a few times.

Johnson had plans to pitch in the Venezuelan Winter League before he re-signed with the Orioles and was assigned to the AFL. I wonder how many times he’s thought of Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos this week.

It’s such a relief knowing that Ramos is back home safely. Well, as safe as he’s going to feel.