masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgDUNEDIN, Fla. – I’m back in Dunedin for the first time since Koji Uehara limped off the mound with a hamstring injury in his first spring training with the team.

I can’t say that I missed this place.

The Orioles are so fortunate to reside at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. So very fortunate.

Today’s lineup has inspired a few quips from the Blue Jays’ media and press box employees. Of the nine starters, six of them have uniform numbers in the 70s, 80s or 90s. That’s fine in the NFL. In…DUNEDIN, Fla. – I’m back in Dunedin for the first time since Koji Uehara limped off the mound with a hamstring injury in his first spring training with the team.

I can’t say that I missed this place.

The Orioles are so fortunate to reside at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. So very fortunate.

Today’s lineup has inspired a few quips from the Blue Jays’ media and press box employees. Of the nine starters, six of them have uniform numbers in the 70s, 80s or 90s. That’s fine in the NFL. In baseball, it’s a clear indication that the starters stayed back in camp.

Alfredo Simon and Zach Phillips also are scheduled to pitch today. The travel roster also includes pitchers Jon Link, Stu Pomeranz, Ross Wolf – yes, he’s back in the organization – and Robert Hinton. The backup catchers are Caleb Joseph and Brian Ward. The reserve infielders include Buck Britton, Blake Davis, Carlos Rojas, Nick Delmonico and Brandon Waring. The backup outfielders are Brenden Webb and Johnny Ruettiger.

Jason Hammel starts tomorrow night against the Yankees in Tampa. Pedro Strop, Troy Patton and Darren O’Day also are listed as available pitchers. The Yankees will start D.J. Mitchell, and former Orioles left-hander Clay Rapada also will pitch.

The Orioles are listing Wei-Yin Chen as Sunday’s starter against the Rays in Sarasota – the final Grapefruit League game on the schedule. Does this make Chen the No. 2 starter behind Jake Arrieta?

Did anyone hear that Bruce Chen will start on opening day for the Royals?

That’s at least three former Orioles making opening day starts, including Jeremy Guthrie (Rockies) and Erik Bedard (Pirates).

For the Blue Jays:
Yunel Escobar SS
Kelly Johnson 2B
Jose Bautista RF
Edwin Encarnacion 1B
Eric Thames LF
Brett Lawrie 3B
J.P. Arencibia C
Colby Rasmus CF
Yan Gomes DH

Brett Cecil LHP

Update: Cecil has been scratched. The Jays are starting right-hander Ryan Tepera, and Orioles manager Buck Showalter is changing his lineup. I’ll post the new one as soon as it’s passed along to me.