Quick Bergesen Update

Quick Bergesen Update
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...
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Start me up

Start me up
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...
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Snyder's schedule

Snyder's schedule
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...
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We can work it out

We can work it out
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...
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Up and running again

Up and running again
Maybe that last virus scan worked. I'm actually writing this blog entry from my laptop, which apparently has forgiven me for all the nasty things I said about it. It's still a little weird between us. And we said it wouldn't get weird. Chris Tillman, Jim Johnson and Jake Arrieta are slated to pitch one inning in Monday's intrasquad game. Fourteen pitchers will be used - seven on each side - and manager Dave Trembley will reveal his list tomorrow. Tillman was encouraged by the way he...
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More notes from today's workout

More notes from today's workout
Manager Dave Trembley said he'll move around some players in Monday's intrasquad game. Robert Andino, for instance, is expected to shift over to second base. The regulars will play three innings and get an at-bat before substitutions are made. The game is open to the public for a small donation to the Sarasota Boys and Girls Club. It also will give us a chance to check out Ed Smith Stadium, since all of the workouts take place on the back fields. Here's a Trembley quote about Brian...
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One is the loneliest number

One is the loneliest number
We found out yesterday that Robert Andino is regarded as the backup second baseman two weeks into camp. So who's the leadoff hitter if Brian Roberts doesn't play? I asked manager Dave Trembley, who didn't really have an answer for me. "I don't know yet," Trembley said. "I guess I'll try to take care of that when we start playing games on the days that Brian doesn't play. Obviously, there will be a different leadoff guy and that will be the time that I use to experiment with it and...
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The facts of first base life with Mr. Garrett (w/ video added)

The facts of first base life with Mr. Garrett (w/ video added)
Biggest...reach...ever. We've been so preoccupied with every ground ball hit to Miguel Tejada at third base, we've practically overlooked Garrett Atkins at first. Atkins isn't a stranger to the position, but this is the first spring training where he's been anointed the starter on the right side. "I've just been taking ground balls and making some throws and getting used to my feet turning that way and making that throw to second," he said. "We've done some bunt plays, and it's a...
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Bergy's big day (with weather update)

Bergy's big day (with weather update)
Unless he fell asleep on the couch last night and hurt his back, Brad Bergesen will throw from the mound today in a much-anticipated bullpen session. Bergesen says he'll probably be held to 25-30 pitches, and most likely will stay exclusively with his fastball. Maybe he'll be allowed to mix in a few changeups, but no breaking stuff. Update: I just returned from the gym and a light rain is falling. Combined with the chilly temperatures, I'd say it's far from an ideal day to be throwing...
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Updating today's workout (& updating this entry)

Updating today's workout (& updating this entry)
The rain continues to fall and players won't take the field today, so the schedule has been turned upside down. We're told that batters will hit in the indoor cage and pitchers will throw on the indoor mound. It's also Photo Day here and the clubhouse is closed to the media this morning while players break out their cheesiest grins. I haven't been approached by the club about offering tips. Update: Bergesen is stretching and will go through with his side session on one of the covered...
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Bergesen finishes up (with intrasquad info added)

Bergesen finishes up (with intrasquad info added)
Brad Bergesen just completed his bullpen session and headed back to the clubhouse, which will open to the media in about 30 minutes. Reporters were instructed to stand outside the indoor pitching and batting cages while Bergensen threw. I learned two things: Players are amused by our obsession with Bergesen, and my hooded sweatshirt holds about five gallons of water. The rain is coming down in buckets. Chad Moeller yelled, "Ladies and gentleman, Brad Bergesen," as the right-hander...
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Bergy on Bergy

Bergy on Bergy
Brad Bergesen was pleased with his first mound session and is confident that he'll be fine physically when he wakes up tomorrow morning. Bergesen threw about 30 pitches, most of them fastballs. He worked in a couple of changeups at the end. "I'm really relieved," he said. "I've been looking forward to getting back out there for a long time. Really, the last time I was on a mound, other than the commercial, but actually competing for something, was that last game (on July 30), so it's...
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What everyone else is saying about Bergy

What everyone else is saying about Bergy
Brad Bergesen is scheduled to throw in the bullpen again on Monday and Wednesday before facing hitters in batting practice. He'll throw on flat ground every day, working in his breaking stuff starting tomorrow. Manager Dave Trembley chatted with reporters until catcher Matt Wieters went into his crouch and Bergesen was ready. He moved to the far side of the cage and never took his eyes off the young right-hander. It's apparent that Trembley liked what he saw. "It sure made a gray day...
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Matusz's session mattered, too

Matusz's session mattered, too
Other pitchers threw on the covered mounds today. Brad Bergesen wasn't the only one. It just seems that way, since a small media contingent braved a torrential downpour to watch him throw and immediately retreated to the trailer as soon as he finished. Brian Matusz threw with the first group, two spots ahead of Bergesen, and was a couple of notches above outstanding. At least that's how he looked when streams of water weren't running into my eyes. Matt Wieters caught Matusz for the first...
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Updates on Roberts and Bergesesn

Updates on Roberts and Bergesesn
I watched the Terps-Virginia Tech game with Jeff Zrebiec last night at Sports Page Bar & Grille on Main St. It's a good spot. Quality food, lots of TVs and they pretty much get every channel. The Orioles had an EAP meeting this morning, so reporters were booted from the clubhouse 15 minutes earlier than usual. Players will take the field at 9:15 a.m. for the pre-workout stretch. Brian Roberts said he might take a few swings in batting practice, so he's making progress while dealing with a...
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Hernandez makes his pitch

Hernandez makes his pitch
Besides earning a spot on the 25-man roster, pitcher David Hernandez had two primary goals when he arrived in camp. He wanted to become more consistent with his delivery, and he wanted to begin trusting a sinking, two-seam fastball that he used sparingly late in the 2009 season. "It wasn't a pitch that I really could go to and say, 'Yeah, I can throw this and get ground balls,'" he said. Hernandez practiced the pitch during yesterday's bullpen session and was encouraged by the...
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During today's workout...

During today's workout...
Luke Scott is working out at first base today. He took ground balls and participated in double play and cutoff drills. Scott made a few high throws to second while trying to execute the 3-6-3, but he also dug a ball out of the dirt. He seemed a little lost once while trying to get in position during the cutoff drill - catcher Matt Wieters yelled to him as Scott drifted toward the mound - but he got the hang of it. Scott later moved to left field for a pop up drill. Brian Roberts took some...
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Koji's BP session

Koji's BP session
Koji Uehara, speaking as usual through interpreter Jiwon Bang, seemed satisfied with the results today after throwing live batting practice. "I was able to command the ball better than last time," he said. Asked whether he feels better physically compared to last spring training, Uehara replied: "It's tough to tell. One thing I can tell you is that the way I'm approaching it from last season, as a starter and as a bullpen guy, is different. The number of pitches, stuff like that." In...
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Starters and Scott

Starters and Scott
Kevin Millwood is expected to start on Opening Day, but he won't make his Grapefruit League debut until Saturday against the Detroit Tigers in Lakeland Jeremy Guthrie starts the first game on Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Rays in Sarasota. Brian Matusz starts on Thursday against the Rays in Port Charlotte. Luke Scott will play some first base in spring training. Today marked the first time that Scott participated in team drills at the position. He's taken ground balls on his own. Scott...
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More on B-Rob's BP session

More on B-Rob's BP session
Brian Roberts dialed up the intensity of his batting practice session against third base coach Juan Samuel. He took some light cuts against camp instructor Butch Davis earlier in the morning and didn't swing against reliever Dennis Sarfate. "It was good," Roberts said after taking some good-natured ribbing from Nick Markakis, who was dressing at the next locker. "I did get more comfortable. Certainly at first you're probably a little timid, but it got better as it went along. "I always...
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