Roch Kubatko

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

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Patton's role is pending

February 23, 2012, 6:32pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are preparing for their first full-squad workout today, which means players won't take the field until noon. Which means the clubhouse won't open to the media until 11 a.m. - 2 1/2 hours later than usual. Which means I could have slept longer. Manager Buck Showalter arranged another trip to the local movie theatre here on Main St., just as he did last year. Players were treated to another inspirational video, this one including Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis (Hardly...

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More notes from Thursday's workout (and Berken update)

February 23, 2012, 9:38am

Orioles

More notes from Thursday's workout (and Berken update)

SARASOTA, Fla. - Reliever Jim Johnson threw off a half mound today and will progress to a regular mound on Saturday. Johnson has been receiving treatment for tightness in his lower back, but he appears to be fine. "Everything's good," he said. "I'll be on a full mound Saturday. Riveting stuff." I can appreciate good sarcasm. Zach Britton threw on flat ground again today. "Neither one of them is behind. That's for sure," manager Buck Showalter said of Johnson and Britton. "If...

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Berken injures hamstring, Roberts update

February 23, 2012, 8:39am

Orioles

Berken injures hamstring, Roberts update

SARASOTA, Fla. - Reliever Jason Berken tweaked his left hamstring today during conditioning drills. Berken had left the facility before reporters returned to the clubhouse and wasn't immediately available for comment. Manager Buck Showalter used the word "tweaked," but added that he wasn't certain of the severity. He was collecting more information from the training staff. "We'll see where that is tomorrow," Showalter said. "I'm not sure if 'tweaked' is the right description yet....

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Matusz intent on making 2012 matter

February 23, 2012, 5:15am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Position players must report to camp today. Third baseman Josh Bell and outfielder Jai Miller arrived this morning. Outfielder Endy Chavez might be the last player to check into the Ed Smith Stadium complex. I haven't seen Steve Tolleson, but one of the reporters here says that he's pretty sure that he spotted the infielder earlier this week. I'm taking his word for it. Brian Matusz threw his second bullpen session yesterday, and his first outdoors in a more structured...

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Mahoney seeking a healthy return

February 22, 2012, 6:36pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Once the Orioles cut ties with former first-round pick Brandon Snyder over the winter, a path was cleared for Joe Mahoney at Triple-A Norfolk. Nobody is standing in his way. All he has to do is stay on the field. That's no small feat for the 6-foot-6 Mahoney, considering that he dealt with a variety of injuries in 2011 and seemed to be his own worst enemy. Mahoney fouled a ball off his knee during an intrasquad game. He pulled a hamstring. He strained an oblique while taking...

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Showalter speaks after workout

February 22, 2012, 8:24am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Manager Buck Showalter didn't have to wait long today before a reporter asked about Dylan Bundy's bullpen session. Five seconds, tops. "Good. As advertised," Showalter said. "I've seen him before. But he's in a good place. He's a very serious young man and he's got a great background and he's blessed with a lot of skills you have to have to have success in the major leagues. He had good composure. That's another thing you want to see." Showalter, pitching coach...

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More from the bullpen sessions

February 22, 2012, 7:31am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Dylan Bundy wasn't the only pitcher who threw in the bullpen today, just the most heavily anticipated. Wei-Yin Chen, Armando Galarraga were in Group 1, Oscar Villarreal were in Group 3, Miguel Socolovich were in Group 4, and

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Britton, Bundy and catching update

February 22, 2012, 7:00am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Zach Britton is scheduled to throw off flat ground Thursday and Friday. According to the left-hander, he'll rest on Saturday and long-toss again Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, though that schedule is subject to change. Britton is hoping to throw off a mound no later than next weekend. The Orioles will increase the number of Britton's throws to 100 and more to raise his "pitch count." He'll mix in other pitches on Monday, including his changeup and sinker. Dylan Bundy had a...

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Wieters and Hester give scouting reports

February 22, 2012, 3:57am

Orioles

Wieters and Hester give scouting reports

SARASOTA, Fla. - Matt Wieters caught Tsuyoshi Wada's bullpen session yesterday, so I decided to get a quick scouting report on the Japanese left-hander before today's early workout. "I think he's going to be a good pitcher," Wieters said. "He's going to be a mix-it-up guy. It was just a bullpen session, but he was throwing all four pitches on both sides of the plate, and that sort of lets you know that he has confidence in all his pitches and we're not just going to have to throw...

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Eveland hoping to plant roots and bury the starter competition

February 21, 2012, 12:45pm

Orioles

Eveland hoping to plant roots and bury the starter competition

SARASOTA, Fla. - Dana Eveland isn't known for bringing the heat, so he might want to join a different group when throwing a bullpen session in spring training. Eveland stood next to reliever Matt Lindstrom earlier today. Lindstrom almost knocked the mitt off catcher

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More notes from Tuesday's workout

February 21, 2012, 9:20am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Tsuyoshi Wada, Jake Arrieta, Tommy Hunter, Dana Eveland, Matt Lindstrom and Jason Hammel were among the pitchers who threw bullpen sessions today. Wada has a pause in his delivery that batters will need to time. He's got some deception to it. Matt Wieters insisted on catching Wada and Hammel. He needs to learn more about them. Lindstrom was bringing the heat. He kept popping catcher John Hester's mitt, to the point where my ears started ringing. "He comes as...

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Sardinha fails physical

February 21, 2012, 8:40am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles lost one of their camp catchers today when Michael Ohlman from the minor league complex as a replacement, but it may be temporary. They are expected to add another catcher, either internally or from outside the organization. The Orioles are taking it slow with Taylor Teagarden following a second knee surgery last month, so they can't afford to run short of catchers. Sardinha, 32, batted .219 in 15 games with the Phillies last season. The Orioles signed him to a...

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Britton: "Today was a big step from yesterday"

February 21, 2012, 8:29am

Orioles

Britton: "Today was a big step from yesterday"

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles left-hander Zach Britton noted the progress he made during today's long-toss session at the Ed Smith Stadium complex, and he's hoping to throw off a mound for the first time by the middle of next week. Britton repeated Monday's session by making 60-70 throws from about 100 feet, and another 10-15 while simulating his delivery, "It went really well," he said. "Same thing as yesterday. I actually felt better. I think the ball was coming out of my hand better. A...

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Roberts back in camp (updated)

February 21, 2012, 6:29am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Second baseman Brian Roberts is hitting off a tee in the covered batting cage at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. Roberts is hitting from both sides. At this point in camp, his every move is newsworthy. A few reporters are staking out the cage, hoping to get a quick interview. Also, Ryan Adams is here. Update: Roberts said he'll speak to the media on Friday. He's been hitting off a tee, playing catch and lifting weights. No running or taking ground balls. "That's kind...

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A few minutes with Betemit and Teagarden

February 21, 2012, 5:05am

Orioles

A few minutes with Betemit and Teagarden

SARASOTA, Fla. - Wilson Betemit is the latest position player to report early to camp. I still haven't seen Josh Bell, Ryan Adams, Endy Chavez, Jai Miller, Steve Tolleson and Ronny Paulino. Paulino and pitcher Dennys Reyes are having visa issues. Betemit said he's "really excited" to be here, "especially on a new team and seeing some new guys. I know some guys, a couple other guys, from other teams. I want to build a family." Betemit doesn't have a defined role, but he figures to get...

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Another chance for Chris Davis

February 20, 2012, 12:18pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - First baseman Chris Davis is out of options, but not out of chances to establish himself in the majors. He's getting another one in 2012. It's time to make the most of it. "For me, it feels like the first time in a couple years that I'm going to actually be given a shot to play every day in the big leagues," he said. "The last couple of springs (with the Rangers), I knew I was going to have to come in and compete just for a chance to break with the team. It feels good...

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Showalter speaks after workout

February 20, 2012, 9:37am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Six more pitchers need to be tested Tuesday on director of pitching development Rick Peterson's biomechanical analysis. I think you should pass the test if you can repeat that sentence without stumbling. Asked about Zach Britton's progression, manager Buck Showalter said, "So far, so good. It's kind of like trying to keep in mind where the finish line is. The only thing we try to do is slow him down a little bit." More from Showalter: On Andino: "I'm real proud of...

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The hunt for Brian Roberts

February 20, 2012, 8:36am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Second baseman Brian Roberts showed up at major league camp today. We're not ready to put a tracking device on him, but it's good to know he's at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. Roberts took some swings in the cage. He's been hitting soft toss and off a tee, and he's playing catch. Manager Buck Showalter has been darting from one back field to the next, so he's in the process of obtaining an update on Roberts that he can pass along to the media. Robert Andino will get...

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More positive results for Britton (and notes)

February 20, 2012, 7:12am

Orioles

More positive results for Britton (and notes)

SARASOTA, Fla. - Zach Britton said his flat-ground session went "really well" today, and he remains encouraged by the progress he's making after being bothered again by inflammation in his left shoulder. Britton moved back to 100 feet today while making 60-70 throws. He also simulated his delivery on another 10-15 throws, also on flat ground. Britton said he'll do the same thing Tuesday in his first back-to-back days of throwing. "They want me to keep my throws up to 120 throws for...