Roch Kubatko

Quick Berken and Britton updates

February 28, 2012, 8:00am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Reliever Jason Berken said he left hamstring feels "a lot better" after receiving more treatment today and running on the water treadmill. Berken said he might play catch Wednesday, depending how his leg feels when he wakes up. "Every day it's getting better. Hopefully, it will be more of the same tomorrow," he said. "This is the fifth day rehabbing it and every day it's significantly better." Meanwhile, Zach Britton threw off flat ground again today. He'll take...

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Josh Banks drawing interest from Orioles (updated twice)

February 28, 2012, 5:49am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette just confirmed that former Severna Park High pitcher Josh Banks, currently a free agent, is working out at the Twin Lakes Park complex. Banks, who is here for a tryout, is represented by former major league outfielder Gary Sheffield. Yes, Sheffield is an agent, and he just rolled out of camp in a cream-colored Bentley. Banks, 29, was a second-round pick of the Toronto Blue Jays in 2003. He last pitched in the majors with the...

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Johnson and Johnson

February 28, 2012, 4:56am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Jim Johnson threw his second bullpen session this morning, the latest progression from lower-back discomfort that no longer seems to be an issue with the Orioles' reliever. Johnson is scheduled to throw off a mound again on Friday, Sunday and March 7. He'll throw live batting practice for the first time on March 10. Yes, the Orioles are being extremely cautious with Johnson. Zach Britton (shoulder) will repeat Sunday's routine of long-tossing from 60, 90 and 120 feet,...

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Hardy hardly worried about double play partner

February 27, 2012, 5:37pm

Orioles

Hardy hardly worried about double play partner

SARASOTA, Fla. - Today's workout begins at 10 a.m., which means clubhouse access for the media from 8:30 a.m.-9:30 a.m. Players will stretch and play catch before separating for infield drills, with the regulars occupying the Camden Yards field. Up to this point, Robert Andino has been taking ground balls at second with the projected starters while Brian Roberts heads back indoors to swing off a tee and lift weights. J.J. Hardy will need to get comfortable with all of the second base...

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A few notes from Monday's workout

February 27, 2012, 9:16am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The weather here is insane today. The sun was shining when I walked off the back fields, but it started pouring while the media met with manager Buck Showalter. We could hear the rain pounding the roof. I returned to my laptop, and the rain had just about stopped. Maybe a few drops were falling. A minute later, the sky opened up again and players were getting drenched as they ran to their cars. There are patches of blue sky, but one huge black cloud must be hovering over the...

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A few injury updates

February 27, 2012, 5:22am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - I didn't bother approaching Tsuyoshi Wada's locker this morning, since that cortisone injection in his left elbow needs another day or two to take effect. His status hasn't changed. He'll receive treatment and avoid picking up a ball. Zach Britton will have a light catch day from 60-70 feet. Tomorrow, he'll repeat Sunday's routine of long-tossing from 60, 90 and 120 feet and simulating his delivery on flat ground. Britton still doesn't know when he'll be cleared to...

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Nick Johnson: "For me, it comes down to health"

February 26, 2012, 5:59pm

Orioles

Nick Johnson: "For me, it comes down to health"

SARASOTA, Fla. - How do you know when you've had too many surgeries? First baseman

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Wada talks about his elbow

February 26, 2012, 10:23am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles pitcher Tsuyoshi Wada mostly downplayed the condition of his left elbow, saying, "This is something that's not even on a level I would consider reporting in Japan." "It's a discomfort that I feel about every year and I just thought I would say something about it right off the top," Wada said through interpreter Danny MacLeith. "It comes about this time every year. Usually, I have no problem if I take two or three days off and then play catch." Wada felt the...

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More notes from Sunday's workout

February 26, 2012, 9:24am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Here are a few more items from today's workout. Later, I'll post comments from pitcher Tsuyoshi Wada, who's meeting with reporters at 2:30 p.m. Double-A Bowie catcher

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Wada and Johnson updates

February 26, 2012, 8:47am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Japanese pitcher Tsuyoshi Wada had fluid removed from his left elbow today and he received a cortisone injection. The Orioles will know more about his condition on Tuesday. Wada apparently develops inflammation in the elbow every year around this time, so there doesn't seem to be much concern. X-rays taken today didn't reveal anything new beyond the swelling. No structural damage. "We'll let it quiet down and get him back on the mound," manager Buck Showalter said....

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Wada missing from workout

February 26, 2012, 7:17am

Orioles

SARASOTA. Fla. - Following up on my earlier tweet, pitcher Tsuyoshi Wada isn't participating in today's workout. Wada reported to the facility, but apparently is dealing with some sort of an injury. Manager Buck Showalter will provide more information after the workout. Jim Johnson threw his first bullpen session at 9 a.m., and Showalter said it "went great." Zach Britton threw off flat ground again, long-tossing and simulating his delivery. Brian Roberts stretched and played catch,...

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Berken update, Strop quotes

February 26, 2012, 4:44am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Reliever Jason Berken said his sore left hamstring is "definitely feeling better," but he'll go at least one more day without throwing. Berken continues to receive treatment on the hamstring, which he strained while running sprints toward the end of Thursday's workout. "There's definite improvement," he said. "The stability is better. Walking feels more normal." Berken is competing for a bullpen spot. He has an option remaining. Pedro Strop is out of options, so...

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Notes and quotes from Saturday's workout

February 25, 2012, 9:04am

Orioles

Notes and quotes from Saturday's workout

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles will play intrasquad games on March 2 and 3, and they'll probably add at least one more before breaking camp. My guess is the off-day on March 19 will end up being a pretty busy day for the hard-working media. Same as last spring. The Orioles will take live batting practice Sunday, though it's mostly "tracking," with hitters instructed not to swing. You'll still get some guys hacking here and there, but it's more like pitching practice. The Orioles will use...

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Berken better but not back

February 25, 2012, 7:43am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles reliever Jason Berken received treatment on his sore left hamstring again today and didn't take the field with the rest of his teammates. Berken iced the back of his leg and also did some stretching exercises. "It's feeling better," he said. "It's improved from yesterday. That's a good thing. As far as a timetable goes, I can't tell you, but it feels like it's improved." Pitchers have returned to the clubhouse, but position players continue to take batting...

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Quick updates on Johnson and Britton

February 25, 2012, 4:51am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles will take the field at 10 a.m. for today's workout. No bullpen sessions are scheduled, just more pitchers fielding practice, pick-off drills and batting practice. Continue to breathe normally. Jim Johnson got his days mixed up. He's scheduled to throw off a full mound on Sunday, not today. I'm not sure what I'll do with my free time. Johnson (lower back) has progressed from flat ground to a half mound to a full mound. He still hasn't been told whether he's...

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This, that and the other

February 24, 2012, 3:16pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Welcome to the spring training edition of "This, that and the other." It's pretty much the same as the Maryland edition, only with tan lines. Executive vice president Dan Duquette wouldn't comment yesterday on the club's level of interest in Cuban outfielder Jorge Soler. Fred Ferreira, the organization's executive director of international recruiting, flew to the Dominican Republic over the weekend to scout Soler and five other Cuban players. I guess that counts as...

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Markakis says he's "maybe a little ahead of schedule"

February 24, 2012, 12:02pm

Orioles

Markakis says he's "maybe a little ahead of schedule"

SARASOTA, Fla. - Right fielder Nick Markakis took batting practice earlier today, though he's not using maximum effort and continues to be brought along slowly as he recovers from abdominal surgery last month. He remains optimistic that he'll play on opening day. "I feel great," he said. "I know I'm not there, but I'm on schedule or maybe a little ahead of schedule, depending on how you look at it. Everything feels good. It's just a matter of getting my strength back down there now. At...

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Roberts meets the press

February 24, 2012, 10:51am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts seemed cautiously optimistic today about the way he's progressing, but it remains a mystery whether he'll be ready for the April 6 opener against the Minnesota Twins at Camden Yards. Roberts can't say for sure when or if he'll play in an exhibition game. He's truly day-to-day as he works toward a return. Here are some quotes from Roberts. "I'm feeling pretty good in general. I took part in some beginning baseball activities -...

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Quick hits from camp

February 24, 2012, 9:34am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Second baseman Brian Roberts met with reporters after today's workout. I'll post quotes later. Roberts said he's "feeling pretty good in general," but he can't offer a timetable for when he'll be ready to play in an exhibition game. He's limited to "beginning" baseball activities. It's a "systematic progression" for Roberts. "Every day that goes by, you're more encouraged," he said. Jason Berken has a mild strain of his left hamstring, which he sustained...

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Roberts on field, Berken absent (updated)

February 24, 2012, 6:11am

Orioles

Roberts on field, Berken absent (updated)

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles took the field an hour early for their first full-squad workout, beginning their stretching exercises at 11 a.m. The clubhouse never opened to the media. The schedule changed because so few position players needed to take their physicals this morning. Most of them already had reported. Second baseman Brian Roberts is on the field. He chatted briefly with pitcher