Roch Kubatko

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...

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Andino: "My focus is just to be ready"

February 20, 2012, 4:51am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Don't try to pin a job description on Robert Andino. Second baseman? Super-utility player? Leadoff hitter? It doesn't matter to him. You can ask all you want, but his answer isn't going to change. "My focus is just to be ready," Andino said. "Whatever the boss says to do, I'm going to do. I'm just here trying to help the team win, so whatever I've got to do, that's what I'm going to do. I'm just here to get ready." Manager Buck Showalter says that in a perfect...

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Bundy satisfied to be a student in camp

February 19, 2012, 3:57pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Dylan Bundy is in camp with the Orioles with one goal in mind, and it's not to be introduced on opening day. Give the kid credit for being a realist. "It's to learn from all these older guys and pick their brains and see what they're thinking and what their thought process is on the field and learn as much baseball as I can while I'm here," he said. The clubhouse isn't filled with veteran pitchers who fit the mentor profile, but Bundy is 19 years old. They're all...

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More from Showalter

February 19, 2012, 12:15pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Dylan Bundy, the Orioles' first-round pick in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft, won't throw until Monday, but he's already made a favorable impression on manager Buck Showalter. "He's a pretty serious kid, and rightfully so. And it's not because he's nervous, either," Showalter said. "I'm sure he's trying to figure out a way to make the club. He's a very attentive listener. He'll get out of this what he needs to get out of it and get on with his season. He's a...

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Wada getting acclimated to new surroundings

February 19, 2012, 10:07am

Orioles

Wada getting acclimated to new surroundings

SARASOTA, Fla. - Japanese left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada threw in the indoor batting cage today as the Orioles' first workout for pitchers and catchers concluded at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. The area is off-limits to media, so I can't tell you how the ball came out of his hand. Wada is drawing a lot of attention from the Japanese media. They filmed him tying his shoes this morning at his locker. I guess that's breaking news back home. Wada, speaking through interpreter Danny MacLeith, said...

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Wrapping up the first day of workouts

February 19, 2012, 9:53am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Today's first workout consisted mostly of pitchers fielding practice, which rivals watching paint dry in terms of excitement. A group of pitchers threw inside the covered batting cage, which is off-limits to reporters. They also underwent the biomechanical pitching analysis designed by new director of pitching development Rick Peterson. "We're breaking them up. It'll go on for at least two more days. We just don't want to disrupt too much. We should get most of the...

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Johnson downplays "little strain" in lower back

February 19, 2012, 6:14am

Orioles

Johnson downplays "little strain" in lower back

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles reliever Jim Johnson said he'll probably be a week behind the other pitchers in camp because of lower-back discomfort that has subsided. Johnson described his condition as "a little strain" and playfully chided reporters for rushing to his locker for an update. "I had a little problem in the offseason and went and saw a doctor and we've been working on it," he said. "Everything's fine. I'll just be a week behind schedule. It's taken care of. "It's just...

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Preparing for the first workout

February 19, 2012, 4:07am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Pitchers and catchers are taking their physicals this morning, which pushes back the time of today's first workout to noon on the back fields of the Ed Smith Stadium complex. One field is under construction, with concrete being spread over it yesterday. I'll assume it's an artificial surface. Otherwise, the grass is going to look the same as the stuff growing in my front yard. The forecast for today is ominous - thunderstorms are supposed to crash the workout party - but...

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Showalter taking it slow with Jim Johnson (with quote)

February 18, 2012, 9:23am

Orioles

Showalter taking it slow with Jim Johnson (with quote)

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter said he's going to be cautious early in camp with pitchers Zach Britton and Jim Johnson. Britton is receiving treatment for inflammation in his left shoulder. He played long toss again today, and pitching coach Rick Adair told Showalter that the session went very well. No soreness, no symptoms. Meanwhile, Showalter revealed that Johnson has "some patella stuff and lower-back things," but neither condition is viewed as serious. Johnson is...

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More notes and quotes from camp

February 18, 2012, 8:25am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Brian Roberts showed up today, according to manager Buck Showalter, who told reporters that the second baseman had a good look on his face and seemed upbeat. Outfielders Nolan Reimold and Scott Beerer also are in camp, and they have a very similar look. Beerer is the early favorite to beat Reimold in a sprint, which is interesting. You've seen how fast Reimold gets down the line. I'm sure a match-race is in the works. Left-hander Ryan Edell, signed to a minor league deal,...

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An empty clubhouse slowly fills up

February 18, 2012, 6:36am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - By the time I left the clubhouse this morning, I had spotted pitchers Zach Britton, Brian Matusz, Chris Tillman, Alfredo Simon, Pedro Strop, Tommy Hunter, Jason Berken, Brad Bergesen, Jason Hammel, Oliver Drake, Pat Neshek, Matt Lindstrom, Jon Link, Dana Eveland, Zach Phillips, Dylan Bundy, Darren O'Day and Wei-Yin Chen, and catchers Matt Wieters, Taylor Teagarden and Brian Ward. Pitcher Steve Johnson and first baseman Joe Mahoney have corner lockers next to the big fridges...

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Reporting for duty (updated)

February 18, 2012, 4:10am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Pitchers and catchers will report to camp today, and the media has been granted clubhouse access from 10 a.m.-10:30 a.m. In the past, we've been allowed to stake out the clubhouse all morning and afternoon, so I'm not sure why a change has been implemented. New regime, new rules? I've already experienced my weird moment of the day. I got into my car, turned on the stereo and heard "Turning Japanese" by The Vapors. Now I just need to find a song about the Mandarin...

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The view from inside the clubhouse

February 17, 2012, 9:43am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - I'm staying in a different hotel this spring, so I must rely on my horrible sense of direction and my GPS to find my way to Ed Smith Stadium and downtown Sarasota. The good news: I'm very close to the Sarasota airport. The bad news: I flew into Tampa. Though it's overcast and a light rain has been falling, the temperature was 71 degrees when my plane landed. No shovel required. I made a quick trip to the ballpark to check out the clubhouse renovations, and they're...

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Off to Sarasota

February 16, 2012, 4:50pm

Orioles

Did I actually make it out of Maryland this winter without shoveling snow? Will I actually go another year without missing my flight? I don't even know who I am anymore. Pitchers and catchers report to spring training Saturday, which means I need to be in Sarasota today. Players start to trickle in early, and I always love playing "Who's that guy?" There's no way I'd arrive late and miss out on all the fun. A new player walks into the clubhouse carrying his equipment bag. Reporters...

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Quick Britton update

February 16, 2012, 8:10am

Orioles

Orioles pitcher Zach Britton was encouraged by today's long-toss session at the Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota. Britton wrote in a text message that the session went "really well." "My arm felt fresh," he said. Britton will play catch again on Saturday and continue to take anti-inflammatory medication for his left shoulder, which began bothering him again in the middle of December. The key is being able to stay in his proper arm slot, which has been an ongoing challenge. An MRI...

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Listing this and that

February 15, 2012, 6:36pm

Orioles

The final items on my to-do list must be crossed off today. I'm running out of time before boarding my flight to Sarasota tomorrow morning for the start of spring training. The Orioles don't have any other players facing arbitration hearings, and they're not expected to anger any other countries. It should be a slow day. Speaking of lists, I'll be sure to add Zach Britton's name to the expanded story lines in spring training. He was going to be scrutinized anyway because he's competing...

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Sources: MLB will void Seong-Min Kim's contract

February 15, 2012, 12:57pm

Orioles

Sources: MLB will void Seong-Min Kim's contract

The Korean Baseball Organization's protest over the Orioles' signing of Seong-Min Kim will lead to Major League Baseball voiding the contract of the 17-year-old Korean pitcher, according to industry sources. I'm still trying to receive confirmation from the Orioles. I'm told that the Orioles could be facing some sort of punishment, and they will have to restart the negotiating process at a later date if they still want to bring Kim into the organization. The Orioles signed Kim to a minor...

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Britton dealing with inflammation in shoulder, but MRI negative

February 15, 2012, 8:21am

Orioles

Britton dealing with inflammation in shoulder, but MRI negative

Orioles pitcher Zach Britton said he's been dealing with inflammation in his left shoulder since the middle of December, but an MRI didn't reveal any structural damage and he isn't concerned about his availability for the April 6 opener if he makes the team. Britton will play catch from 90 feet Thursday and throw again on Saturday if his shoulder responds favorably. "They want to make sure I get into my arm slot," he said. "It's not a strength issue. The strength in my shoulder is...

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Dan Duquette issues statement on Zach Britton

February 15, 2012, 5:35am

Orioles

Dan Duquette issues statement on Zach Britton

Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette has been fielding calls this morning about left-hander Zach Britton's health, which led to the club issuing the following statement on his behalf: "We are currently monitoring Zach Britton. He has already reported to spring training and is scheduled to begin his throwing progression this Friday." Duquette's cousin, former Orioles executive Jim Duquette, tweeted this morning that Britton will be limited in spring training because of a sore...

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Showalter says Andino "front-runner" for second base job (with Britton note)

February 15, 2012, 2:42am

Orioles

Showalter says Andino "front-runner" for second base job (with Britton note)

Now that Adam Jones is under contract for 2012, we can focus on other matters, like whether the Orioles will sign him to an extension. Executive vice president Dan Duquette prefers to wait until after the season and avoid any distractions. Those talks remain on the back burner, where they've been all along. In the meantime, Jones can report to Ed Smith Stadium later this month and figure out where he's batting and who's setting the table for him. Jones sorely missed Brian Roberts atop the...