SARASOTA, Fla. - We've wrapped up another workout day here in sunny Sarasota, where the back of your neck becomes hot enough to fry bacon.
Right fielder Nick Markakis hasn't reported to camp, but he's in town. Nothing to worry about.
Minor league infielder Pedro Florimon is the only real no-show. If you've seen him, please point him in the general direction of Ed Smith Stadium.
Brad Bergesen threw a bullpen session after being sent back to the team hotel yesterday with virus-like...
SARASOTA, Fla. - First baseman Derrek Lee reported to camp today and hit some soft tosses in the indoor cage. He'll be ready to face live pitching in a week or so as he continues to recover from thumb surgery.
"It's getting much better," he said. "I'm up to soft toss now, which is actually ahead of schedule."
Lee signed a one-year, $7.5 million deal after the Orioles made offers to Victor Martinez, Adam Dunn and Adam LaRoche. He's projected to hit third ahead of Vladimir...
SARASOTA, Fla. - Derrek Lee hit in the indoor cage today.
Felix Pie played catch this morning with new teammate Vladimir Guerrero, the future Hall of Famer who could cost him the starting job in left field.
No hard feelings, I suppose.
Luke Scott is expected to play left field while Guerrero serves as the full-time designated hitter. Pie, who set career highs last year in average (.274), hits (79), runs (39), doubles (15), triples (five) and RBIs (31), might have to settle for a reserve...
SARASOTA, Fla. - Derrek Lee has reported to camp. He might wait until tomorrow to take his first swings.
The signing of Vladimir Guerrero could push Nolan Reimold off the 25-man roster and down to Triple-A Norfolk, but he's digging in his heels this spring. He's reported to camp in much better condition, both physically and mentally, and intends to pose a serious challenge for the left field job or reserve duty.
"I feel really good. I feel strong, I feel healthy and ready to go," he said...
SARASOTA, Fla. - Luke Scott has reported to camp, wearing a full beard and telling hunting stories.
Scott's locker is next to Vladimir Guerrero, the brooding slugger. It's an interesting arrangement.
Guerrero better get used to smiling and nodding his head a lot.
Double-A infielder Ryan Adams also is here, leaving Derrek Lee, Nick Markakis and Pedro Florimon as the only position players who haven't arrived.
Brad Bergesen is back after leaving yesterday because of an illness.
Guest...
SARASOTA, Fla. - Vladimir Guerrero relied on his agent, Fernando Cuza, to serve as an interpreter during his 20-minute press conference, but I'm sure he understood every word. He's been speaking English to teammates and team officials. He's just more comfortable dealing with the media in his native language.
Here are some comments from Guerrero, which came after he slipped on his white No. 27 jersey.
On whether his past success at Camden Yards, and the Orioles' surge under manager Buck...
SARASOTA, Fla. - Vladimir Guerrero wore his game face for most of his 20-minute press conference. He smiled once when asked whether he's carrying a chip on his shoulder, and laughed when the discussion turned to his reputation as one of the game's all-time best bad-ball hitters.
Guerrero didn't need a translator to understand that question.
"Since I was little, I've always swung at bad pitches," he said.
Manager Buck Showalter said he'd decide later whether to bat Guerrero third or...
SARASOTA, Fla. - Nolan Reimold reported to camp this afternoon. We're still waiting on Derrek Lee, Luke Scott, Nick Markakis, Ryan Adams and Pedro Florimon. Position players are required to be here on Sunday.
Pitcher Mitch Atkins is still dealing with a sore left oblique muscle. Starter Brad Bergesen went back to his hotel with virus-like symptoms.
Brian Matusz threw off a mound for the third time this spring. I wanted to pass along his comments while waiting for the Vladimir Guerrero...
SARASOTA, Fla. - Vladimir Guerrero played catch with Felix Pie on one of the back fields this morning and headed to the indoor cage to hit some balls off a tee.
Guerrero apparently will not hit outdoors today.
Also, for everyone who's obsessed with seeing Guerrero in his Orioles' uniform, he wore a black shirt and shorts on the field. No uniform. And keep in mind that players aren't donning the home whites here. They're wearing black and orange practice jerseys.
You've seen a similar...
SARASOTA, Fla. - Clubhouse manager Fred Tyler spent part of his morning sorting through batting helmets, trying to find one that fit Vladimir Guerrero's head.
Cesar Izturis, Felix Pie, Nick Green and Randy Winn reported to camp this morning, and Nick Markakis is expected to arrive later today. They'll also need helmets, but it won't be as interesting to watch.
Everything that Guerrero does draws the attention of teammates and reporters. Imagine what will happen once he picks up a bat...
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles will hold a press conference at 2 p.m. today at the Ed Smith Stadium complex to introduce Vladimir Guerrero, who passed his physical and signed a one-year, $8 million deal.
As expected, the Orioles moved Alfredo Simon to the restricted list to make room for the nine-time All-Star, who will serve as the cleanup hitter and regular designated hitter.
Guerrero isn't likely to play the outfield in Grapefruit League games, but manager Buck Showalter will have to figure...
SARASOTA, Fla. - Craig Tatum knows what it's like to arrive in camp with expectations for him that are lower than the contents of Miguel Cabrera's scotch bottle.
Tatum wasn't supposed to beat out Chad Moeller last spring for the backup job behind starting catcher Matt Wieters, but he did it. And that explains why Tatum hasn't grown too comfortable despite being the incumbent.
Tatum's stiffest challenge comes from Jake Fox, who also can play the corner infield positions and left field....
SARASOTA, Fla. - Manager Buck Showalter had some flattering observations about catcher Matt Wieters, who seems to be everybody's choice to have a breakout season.
"You can just tell by his face a little bit, Matt takes everything personal with the pitching staff," Showalter said. "Everybody I've talked to, and I've talked to a lot of people who have had him, whether it's minor league managers or coaches or college coaches, say that Matt was not only a good player, obviously, but...
SARASOTA, Fla. - Pitcher Mitch Atkins is dealing with a strained left oblique, and Rule 5 pick Adrian Rosario was sent home again today with a slight fever.
Luis Lebron threw another bullpen session today, and his pitches were much crisper. Manager Buck Showalter also noted that Lebron walked off the mound with a smile on his face.
Vladimir Guerrero isn't likely to play the outfield in exhibition games.
"I don't have any plans to do it right now," Showalter said.
Guerrero has made it...
SARASOTA, Fla. - Vladimir Guerrero is sitting at his locker this morning. The results of his physical could be obtained later today, but he's still scheduled to be introduced to the media tomorrow.
In the meantime, he'll hit the weights and enjoy the rest of his day.
It's an abbreviated workout today. Manager Buck Showalter and a group of players are participating in Jim Johnson's charity golf tournament, so we'll be wrapping up before noon.
I can hit the weights and enjoy the rest of...
SARASOTA, Fla. - Robert Andino is taking his physical this morning and throwing his hat into the utility ring.
With Cesar Izturis assured of making the club as the backup middle infielder, Andino will try to win a job as a reserve at the corners. He's never played first base, and his six career starts at third base came last season.
"Just catch the ball," he said. "That's all it is. Just catch the ball."
Andino didn't do it enough last year to impress former manager Dave Trembley, and...
SARASOTA, Fla. - What makes a good bullpen session?
As a friend and former colleague pointed out, it's whenever the catcher walks up to the pitcher afterward and shakes his hand.
No injury, no problem.
Jeremy Guthrie completed his second session here in Sarasota without a hitch or a glitch. He mixed in a fastball, curveball and changeup, and Jake Fox shook his hand in between the mound and the plate.
It's common for the two participants to meet in the middle.
Guthrie will incorporate his...
SARASOTA, Fla. - Pitchers Justin Duchscherer and Adrian Rosario were sent back to their condo and hotel, respectively, because they're dealing with virus symptoms. They weren't scheduled to throw today, so at least they exhibited good timing.
Manager Buck Showalter included Josh Bell among the players who are competing for a utility spot. Mark Reynolds is the starting third baseman, which seems to indicate that Bell is headed to Triple-A Norfolk. That's still the likely outcome, but Bell...
SARASOTA, Fla. - Mark Reynolds put on quite a display on one of the back fields this afternoon, hitting tape-measure home runs each time he stepped into the cage.
He launched a few balls to center field. He bounced a few more into the parking lot beyond the left field fence. And he lowered the temperature around the cage by five or six degrees each time he took another mighty swing.
We're still learning about Reynolds, but we found out today that he owns Double-A manager Gary Kendall, who...
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles drafted Brandon Snyder as a catcher back in 2005, making him the 13th overall pick. They moved him to third base and first base, leading to the assumption that he'd never again wear shin guards and a chest protector, though some of those hops can be pretty nasty.
Snyder is still viewed by team officials as a first baseman, but he'll get some work behind the plate this spring to increase his versatility and value to the organization.
"I'm excited," he said....
