Orioles

Concluding the second day of workouts (with videos and photos)

Roch Kubatko
February 21, 2015 12:37 pm
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SARASOTA, Fla. – The Orioles just concluded their second workout and are heading into the clubhouse.
Rule 5 pick Jason Garcia and Triple-A Norfolk right-hander Mike Wright were especially impressive today during their bullpen sessions.
Outfielder Alejandro De Aza, who lost his arbitration hearing, is expected to report later today. He wants to get comfortable in a new spring training facility.
The Orioles are still hoping to finalize their deal next week with infielder Everth Cabrera. The legal…

SARASOTA, Fla. – The Orioles just concluded their second workout and are heading into the clubhouse.

Rule 5 pick Jason Garcia and Triple-A Norfolk right-hander Mike Wright were especially impressive today during their bullpen sessions.

Outfielder Alejandro De Aza, who lost his arbitration hearing, is expected to report later today. He wants to get comfortable in a new spring training facility.

The Orioles are still hoping to finalize their deal next week with infielder Everth Cabrera. The legal issues need to be addressed.

Reporters met with left-hander Mark Hendrickson earlier today. Here’s a sampling:

On receiving a spring invite:
“It was good. It’s an opportunity. I think if anything, the way I progressed the past couple years that’s all I’m looking for. It wasn’t unexpected. This is where I wanted to be, my first choice. It’s good to be here. It’s good to see the guys. Obviously, there’s some change in the clubhouse but I like what’s here and what’s going on.”

On lowering his arm slot:
“It’s probably as big a challenge as I’ve ever faced. You talk to Eddie (Gamboa) and the change he’s done with the knuckleball. You know when you’re trying to revamp everything and it’s completely starting over. The only difference is possibly having better understanding my body and my delivery to be able to pick it up quicker. But if it was something that was easy, I think you’d see more guys do it. But it’s not.”

On adjustments made from last year:
“It’s so much easier to have a feel, even if someone mentions a change, ‘Hey can you drop your arm a little lower,’ I know how to do that. It’s kind of become second nature for me. That’s the biggest change I’ve seen because last year and even this year. And that’s what they saw in minicamp. I went down and threw in the middle of June and they said it looked completely different than it was even last year. That’s a good sign for me. The progression is there. I’ve seen some results. Now it’s about continuing to get better.”

On chances of making the ballclub:
“I come in here with realistic expectations. Obviously, I know what they did last year and the guys should be commended on how far they got and how much success they had. They’re going to get ready for the season. For me, if I start in Triple-A, it’s one step closer than I was last season. I’m OK with that is that’s the case. Obviously, that’s not going to change my preparation. It’s to continue to go out there and develop my pitches and get ready. But I’ve always had the goal of April 1 (being) my target date every year just to be ready to go, so that’s what I’m focusing on down here.”

Here are videos and pictures from today’s workout: