Orioles third base coach Juan Samuel might have paid Miguel Tejada the ultimate compliment earlier today.
"He took all the ground balls," Samuel said, "and I told him, 'Hey man, you look like a third baseman already.'"
That's probably more than you could expect on Tejada's first day.
"The ball's going to get to him a little bit quicker there than it is at shortstop," Samuel said. "At shortstop, you've got a clear view of the catcher. You see the pitch. You've just got to be...
Miguel Tejada stood at his locker earlier today and made references to mistakes from his past that he hopes have been put behind him. Though he never got specific, he alluded to his name appearing in the Mitchell Report, an age discrepancy, and how he received a year's probation after pleading guilty to lying to congressional investigators about the use of performance-enhancing drugs in baseball.
Tejada unloaded more than his bags when he arrived here.
"Everybody knows that I've been...
If you're driving down Tuttle Avenue and pass the back fields, you might want to watch for flying baseballs.
Guys were taking turns launching them over the right field fence and onto the street during batting practice. Nick Markakis and Luke Scott didn't cause any pileups, but I kept bracing for the impact.
Miguel Tejada hit one ball that slammed off the batter's eye beyond the 400-foot sign in center field. I'm pretty sure another ball landed on one of the back fields at Fort Lauderdale...
Players taking their first round of batting practice are instructed to concentrate on situational hitting, a routine that began on the first day here.
"I think that needs to be a point of emphasis because it will help us win more games. Then we let guys swing after that," manager Dave Trembley said.
"Before they can get to the round where they swing, they have to get two bunts down, execute the hit-and-run, get the guy over, get the guy in and get the squeeze down before they can go to...
Miguel Tejada already is taking ground balls at third base about 30 minutes before players are required to be outside.
Juan Samuel is hitting him grounders, much sharper than yesterday's three-hoppers, and Tejada is making the throws to second. Yesterday, players stationed at third base just flipped the ball into foul territory.
Chris Tillman is still scheduled to throw in the bullpen today. His back didn't stiffen up during the night.
Brad Bergesen will throw off flat ground again...
Chris Tillman just completed his bullpen session, which lasted about 12 minutes and included a brief interruption and consultation from pitching coach Rick Kranitz.
Tillman was throwing free and easy, and his velocity looked good. He also mixed in his changeup. Afterward, he said that he didn't feel his back at all.
The other pitchers who threw alongside Tillman on the extended mound moved to the next field for live batting practice, beginning with closer Mike Gonzalez.
Meanwhile, Miguel...
Chris Tillman said he threw "everything" today except his back (OK, that's my line) and was "shocked" at how good he felt on the mound.
"It took a lot to hold back. I wanted to go 100 percent, but at the same time I had to hold myself back," he said.
"Everything felt good. Obviously, it felt like I hadn't played catch in three days, but other than that, everything felt good and looked good. Kranny said my delivery looked nice and smooth."
Tillman will rest tomorrow and throw a...
I mentioned earlier today that Nick Markakis was bunting inside one of the netted batting cages set up between practice fields. His teammates are doing the exact same thing, because the drill has been implemented as one of the new stations in camp.
"That's one of the rotations," manager Dave Trembley said. "There's five rotations out here, and either you get it first or you get it through the five.
Brad Bergesen hopes to throw once more on flat ground before taking the mound on Saturday, but manager Dave Trembley might push back that first bullpen session until Monday.
Trembley is toying with the idea of having Bergesen throw on flat ground tomorrow and Saturday.
"He's wrestling with me on that one," Trembley said. "He really has done remarkably well. He's going to be fine. We have lots of time to get him right back in where he should be and to get his pitches up."
Jeremy Guthrie...
I sort of tiptoed into an interview with outfielder Lou Montanez this morning, and not because he's unapproachable or my shoes didn't fit properly.
I was trying to gauge whether Montanez viewed the roster the same way as everyone else. He's an outfielder on a team that includes Nick Markakis, Adam Jones, Nolan Reimold, Felix Pie and Luke Scott. He still has a minor league option remaining.
For his eye exam, the Orioles could have made him read the writing on the wall.
"I know there's...
The clubhouse is closed to the media again this morning because the players have a meeting - on media training.
Cue the scene from Bull Durham.
"I'm just happy to be here."
"I want to help the team anyway I can."
"I give 100 percent every time I'm out there."
"I'll just take it one game at a time."
(Bonus Quote): "I'll just take it one game at a time, and whatever happens happens."
The games haven't started yet, but Brandon Erbe has been one of the most impressive pitchers...
Not having pre-workout clubhouse access has left my notebook looking pretty bare. Maybe that's a good thing, since I only have a few clean pages left.
Brad Bergesen threw on flat ground, though Christopher Columbus would disagree about the "flat" part. His arm remains attached to his shoulder. And I'm getting pretty attached to Bergesen after checking on his health and throwing schedule every single day.
Players took part in a baserunning drill before splitting up into different groups....
And I don't mean the redness on my wind-burned face.
Koji Uehara threw live batting practice earlier today. All fastballs. He did some running afterward with his trainer.
John Shelby is leading the bunting drills inside one of the netted batting cages.
At one point, Shelby instructed Robert Andino to keep his balance and yelled encouragement. Andino figures to be one of the players who will be called upon to advance a runner.
Three of the fields were set up for live BP. Manager Dave...
Brad Bergesen will have another flat-ground session on Saturday and is slated to take the mound on Monday for his first bullpen session.
Manager Dave Trembley indicated that Robert Andino would back up at second base if the Orioles needed an extended fill-in at the position. Andino also would back up at shortstop.
Ty Wigginton is viewed as the backup at third base and first base, and could move to left field. The middle infield spots belong to Andino.
In case anyone thought Trembley might...
The Orioles haven't set a firm date for second baseman Brian Roberts to take live batting practice. He's hoping to step into the cage next week.
Roberts continues to hit off a tee and soft toss.
Chris Tillman still is slated to throw live batting practice tomorrow. The cold air didn't do his back any favors today, but he keeps insisting that he's fine and the mild tightness is nothing to worry about.
Manager Dave Trembley was impressed with the finish on Koji Uehara's pitches today and...
The spring training radio scheduled has been released. Check it out.
The following exhibition games will air on 105.7 The Fan, beginning with the March 3 opener against the Tampa Bay Rays:
Wednesday, March 3 at 1:05 - Tampa Bay Rays
Friday, March 5 at 7:05 - Pittsburgh Pirates
Sunday, March 7 at 1:05 - Boston Red Sox
Monday, March 8 at 1:05 - Minnesota Twins
Tuesday, March 9 at 1:05 - Tampa Bay Rays
Wednesday, March 17 at 1:05 - Toronto Blue Jays
Tuesday, March 23 at 1:05 - Florida...
Orioles pitcher Brad Bergesen has been cleared to throw off a mound Saturday for the first time since injuring his shoulder during a commercial shoot two months ago.
The Orioles had considered scheduling a third flat-ground session for Bergesen before clearing him for a bullpen session on Monday, but the right-hander has made significant progress and apparently is ahead of schedule.
Bergesen has been saying all along that he felt better each time he's thrown and had no worries about...
I've been dealing with laptop issues on and off since yesterday afternoon and the wireless wasn't working in the media trailer this morning. The blogging gods are conspiring against me. But we're back up and ready to roll.
The clubhouse closed to the media 15 minutes early because the players have a nutrition meeting.
Unlike previous years at Fort Lauderdale Stadium, the club didn't leave a box of donuts sitting on a table.
Chris Tillman is still scheduled to throw live batting practice...
The Orioles have instructed Brandon Snyder to confine his work to first base this spring, rather than go back and forth between the two infield corners.
Snyder was drafted as a catcher, but he also played 10 games at third base during his first professional season. He became a full-time third baseman after undergoing surgery on his left shoulder on Aug. 2006 - many people mistakenly think it was his right - but the Orioles moved him again.
Snyder will stay planted at first base for now, which...
My laptop issues have gotten a lot worse. I'm ready to pull a sheet over its head.
I'm emailing this entry to the MASN WebStudio via my BlackBerry. I can't get to your comments, so someone else will have to move them. Hold those questions.
Chris Tillman threw live batting practice earlier today.
"He's ready to go," pitching coach Rick Kranitz said.
Tillman could pitch in Monday's intrasquad game.
Reliever Jim Johnson is expected to pitch in that game. Otherwise, it will mostly be...