Yankees lineup

Yankees lineup
Derek Jeter SS Nick Johnson DH Mark Teixeira 1B Alex Rodriguez 3B Robinson Cano 2B Nick Swisher RF Curtis Granderson CF Brett Gardner LF Mike Rivera C Andy Pettitte LHP
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Running the option

Running the option
One of the more commonly asked questions in spring training involves players who are out of minor league options. You wants names. I want to pass them along to you. It's the perfect storm. It also won't require that you put on a heavy coat and grab a shovel. You can check out this list from mlbtraderumors that contains players who are out of options and have less than five years of service time. They have to clear waivers before being sent down. The Orioles' representatives are Matt...
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The keys to Koji

The keys to Koji
Any reference to the Orioles' bullpen has to include Koji Uehara. And any reference to Koji Uehara has to include a mention of his health. Uehara missed two weeks in spring training with a strained hamstring and went on the disabled list with the same injury in late May. He returned to the disabled list on June 24 with a sore right elbow, later diagnosed as a partial tear of the flexor tendon. The Orioles finally sent him home in September. The last time we checked, Uehara was playing catch...
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Because You Asked - The Final Insult

Because You Asked - The Final Insult
Spring training starts, but the questions won't end. You know them, you need them, you want them, you can't live without them. And you'll keep reheating them and pretending they're fresh. Sort of like the side dishes in the press dining room. No matter how many times I shovel the snow off my sidewalk, the questions are piled much higher. And while no two snowflakes are alike - at least in my personal collection that I keep in a safe deposit box - your inquiries look strangely...
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Postcard from the edge

Postcard from the edge
I have seven weeks to fall in love with Sarasota. Right now, I want to take it out for a nice seafood dinner and never call it again. Let's just say my first impression of the city hasn't been a good one. There's not a lot to see and do on Fruitville Rd., at least the stretch that I've traveled since leaving the airport. I can't imagine that this particular area is a hot tourist attraction unless you're into medical buildings and auto repair shops. In that case, you'll want to keep...
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First sign of spring

First sign of spring
It wasn't much of a challenge to find Ed Smith Stadium today. Just hang a left at the huge sign, complete with the cartoon Oriole bird, which welcomes you to the team's new spring training home. I'm seeing a lot of orange and black around here. That Cincinnati red has been covered up nicely. Jim Johnson just threw off flat ground, with Chad Moeller providing the target. "I'm back home," said Moeller, who trained here with the Reds in 2007. Koji Uehara is jogging in the outfield. And a...
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Arrieta and Mickolio

Arrieta and Mickolio
Jake Arrieta showed up today with a neatly trimmed beard that will be gone tomorrow. Arrieta has thrown about 12 bullpen sessions since Jan. 4. He'll try to squeeze into the rotation, perhaps bumping Chris Tillman from the fifth spot. Assuming Brad Bergesen avoids the disabled list, that would be Arrieta's best shot. "Whether there's an opening or not, I have to do everything I can to come out here and perform to the best of my ability and be confident in myself that all the hard work...
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General info on Patton

General info on Patton
Catcher Caleb Joseph still can't believe that he's in major league camp. He's waiting for someone to pinch him - though that might not be a good idea in the shower area. "All of these names," he said, gazing at the rows of lockers. "It's like Christmas in February." Brian Matusz and Chris Tillman reported to camp earlier today and ducked inside the weight room, which also is much bigger than my townhouse. No more tents set up in the parking lot. Championship banners have been hung...
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Wrapping it up

Wrapping it up
Day One didn't bring any major surprises in camp beyond the drastic differences between the Sarasota and Fort Lauderdale facilities. No more bumping into players inside a crowded clubhouse. No more tents posing as weight rooms. No more contact highs from the gas fumes at the executive airport. It will take some time before I stop shouting my questions to manager Dave Trembley. It wasn't easy being heard over the sound of planes taking off beyond the outfield fence. I can't get used to...
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Sending out another postcard

Sending out another postcard
I've been known to rush into relationships, and I'm ready to pay Sarasota's bills and buy it a sports car. Let's just say the place is growing on me. And fast. It's funny what happens once you venture a few miles from your hotel. If you're heading down here to catch a few spring training games and avoid the next blizzard, you'll want to visit Mediterraneo on Main St., but only if you can handle one of the best Italian meals of your life. Dine at your own risk. I'm listed as...
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The morning scene

The morning scene
Players are lined up in the clubhouse to take their physicals before the first workout. Brian Matusz and Chris Tillman arrived together again today, and they walked out together to grab breakfast. They stretched on the field together yesterday. You could say they're inseparable. Reliever Wilfrido Perez said his left arm is fine after he underwent surgery over the summer to remove bone chips from his elbow. Perez will compete for the job of lefty specialist, but I'm still guessing that he...
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Pie and Jones report

Pie and Jones report
Felix Pie and Adam Jones have reported to camp, joining the pitchers and catchers who are required to be here. Pie missed the last nine games after straining his left quadriceps muscle, and the healing process has been painfully slow. He's been in Sarasota for 1 1/2 months and finally is able to run sprints. "My leg is completely better," he said. "It took me like five months to be ready. Every time I'd start to run, it hurt, but it doesn't hurt anymore. "I'm ready to do my...
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Simon says...

Simon says...
After undergoing Tommy John surgery during the first week of May, right-hander Alfredo Simon has thrown off a mound twice and doesn't expect to be under any restrictions. Simon believes that he's ready to compete for a spot on the 12-man pitching staff - that's the number we're figuring until we're told otherwise - but the odds are stacked against him.
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The Ohman

The Ohman
Will Ohman snuck up behind Felix Pie this morning and gave him a big hug. He moved around the clubhouse, spotting familiar faces and getting reacquainted. Ohman is excited to be here and he didn't try to hide it. "It's kind of like a homecoming for me in a way," he said. "I know a lot of the guys here and a lot of the coaching staff from my days with the Cubs. I'm excited to work with Kranny again." Ohman chose the Orioles over other teams offering minor league deals because he saw a...
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Koji confirmed

Koji confirmed
The first day of workouts went smoothly. No visa issues, no injuries. Brad Bergesen is the only pitcher who's restricted. Alfredo Simon is full-go, as I wrote earlier today, less than a year after having ligament-reconstructive surgery on his right elbow. Manager Dave Trembley confirmed what we already suspected: Koji Uehara will work in a relief role this season. "I talked to Koji today before we came out so that if you all asked him questions, he could not evade the answers. And I wanted...
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Talking Trembley

Talking Trembley
On the first workout at the new complex: "It was fun to be out here today, a lot of fun. Everybody was anxious to get out. We had a very good, productive today." On Alfredo Simon not being under any restrictions: "He was a guy that when I came here at the beginning of the week I asked (head athletic trainer) Richie Bancells about, and he said (Simon) was a full-go. I saw him in instructional league at the end of September last year and I was told that in all likelihood he would be a full-go...
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Some leftovers from today

Some leftovers from today
Kevin Millwood spent a large part of the morning talking to Brad Bergesen at his locker. Millwood's locker is situated between Brian Matusz and Chris Tillman. Let the veteran influence begin. Matusz and Tillman played catch after the pre-workout stretch. As if you were expecting anything different. Felix Pie said he's more comfortable around his teammates this spring compared to last year, when he arrived late because of visa issues in the Dominican. "It feels more like home," he...
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More early arrivals

More early arrivals
Robert Andino and Scott Moore checked into the team hotel last night and will report to camp today. It's an interesting pairing, since Moore could be competing for Andino's utility job. Moore underwent surgery on his right thumb after being shut down the second week of May. He appeared in 32 games with Triple-A Norfolk, batting .252 with seven homers and 21 RBIs. Moore has impressed the Orioles in spring training. He got off to a sizzling start at Norfolk last year. The only issues have...
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A few early notes

A few early notes
You can add Rhyne Hughes to the list of position players who reported early. And I know it's Hughes only because someone pointed him out to me. Can't say that I'd recognize him. Hughes, Adam Jones, Felix Pie, Robert Andino, Justin Turner, Blake Davis and Scott Moore are in camp ahead of schedule. Chorye Spoone has been throwing since mid-December and only stopped because of the blizzards. He's in good health again and said he just needs to work on his timing. It will be interesting to...
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Markakis is here

Markakis is here
Nick Markakis has reported to camp - with his son, Taylor, riding on his shoulders. Markakis still has the thick beard. But not much longer. He's wearing a long-sleeve camouflage shirt, cut-off sweatpants, and crocs with black socks. He wasn't approached for a single autograph as he wandered between the practice fields. It's as if no one recognizes him. Koji Uehara just finished his bullpen session. Unlike last spring, none of us charted his pitches. I'll try to grab pitching coach...
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