masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgSARASOTA, Fla. – Rule 5 pick Jason Garcia will throw live batting practice today before the Orioles’ game against the Twins at Ed Smith Stadium.
Garcia tweaked his left hamstring exactly one week ago against the Yankees and has been held out of games.
“That last pitch, I kind of felt something in my hamstring,” he said. “Nothing major. It’s just been some ice and stim, and I think I’m getting on the mound today. I’ll see how it feels.
“They said it wasn’t even mild enough to grade. It…

SARASOTA, Fla. – Rule 5 pick Jason Garcia will throw live batting practice today before the Orioles’ game against the Twins at Ed Smith Stadium.

Garcia tweaked his left hamstring exactly one week ago against the Yankees and has been held out of games.

jason-garcia-throws-minicamp-tall.jpg“That last pitch, I kind of felt something in my hamstring,” he said. “Nothing major. It’s just been some ice and stim, and I think I’m getting on the mound today. I’ll see how it feels.

“They said it wasn’t even mild enough to grade. It was less than a Grade 1.”

Garcia expects to pitch later this week. He’s allowed three hits in three scoreless innings over two appearances, with two walks and three strikeouts.

“Hopefully this week, yeah,” he said. “Definitely don’t want to prolong it.”

Garcia doesn’t fret over the possibility of falling behind in the competition for a bullpen spot. The other Rule 5 pick in camp, Logan Verrett, has made four appearances and allowed two runs over seven innings, with one walk and eight strikeouts.

“No, I’m trying not to worry about that,” said Garcia, who’s never injured his hamstring before this spring. “Like I said, just try not to last longer than what it is.”

Nothing new to report on the upcoming pitching matchups. The Orioles have confirmed Ubaldo Jimenez for Wednesday against the Twins’ Ervin Santana in Fort Myers, Chris Tillman for Thursday against the Pirates’ Radhames Liz, and Brian Matusz for Friday against the Red Sox in Fort Myers. The Boston starter is listed as TBA.

Miguel Gonzalez’s next turn would be Saturday against the Twins in Fort Myers and Bud Norris would pitch Sunday against the Cardinals in Sarasota, unless manager Buck Showalter sends someone to the minor league camp. Wei-Yin Chen and Kevin Gausman are pitching Friday at Twin Lakes Park.