SARASOTA, Fla. - Remember that period for pitchers in camp that was similar to "dead-arm," except manager Buck Showalter was hesitant to use the term? It's no longer a thing.
"I think we're on the backside of that," Showalter said following Sunday's game. "I think you'll see it pick up some now. At the tail end of that week where you kind of see it. And it's as much mentally and emotionally as it is physical.
"Now, all of a sudden, you start seeing some lockers getting cleared out. It won't be long before we start seeing a few boxes around and people kind of go, 'OK, that really feel-good part of spring training, now it's getting into the business part of it.' "
It's getting real. The camp roster is down to 46 and we're now under two weeks before opening day. The competition for a few open spots is intensifying. It serves as a jump-start of sorts for players who have endured the daily practice grind and succession of games that mean bupkis in the standings.
"Oh, yeah," Showalter said. "We've got a thing up on the big bulletin board, a big number that tells you how many days left in camp and we're not far from single digits now. So there's a little different sense of, I don't know, somewhere between anxiety and urgency."
More cuts are expected today, though that also was true of yesterday and it didn't happen. The over/under has been set at three.
Oliver Drake
The Orioles already reassigned Austin Wynns to minor league camp and they can shed themselves of a few more catchers with Welington Castillo back at the complex on Wednesday. It may not happen today, but at some point they're expected to cut Chance Sisco, Francisco Pena and Audry Perez while keeping Caleb Joseph as their backup.
Infielders Chris Johnson, Johnny Giavotella, Robert Andino and Paul Janish also are in danger of being reassigned with super-utility player Ryan Flaherty close to returning from a sore right shoulder - he thought it would happen today but he may have to wait another day - and Manny Machado returning Wednesday from the World Baseball Classic. But Jonathan Schoop remains out of camp while playing for Team Netherlands and manager Buck Showalter must decide how many spare infielders are needed.
It's not like Twin Lakes Park is a plane ride from the Ed Smith Stadium complex.
Pedro Ãlvarez collected two more hits yesterday, including a home run, to improve to 4-for-10 in the Grapefruit League. He also had two doubles and a home run in the B game. But he figures to continue his right field education in the International League.
I must stress again that the Orioles could carry 11 pitchers and five bench players on opening day. The fifth position player is more of an education guess. But all signs point to Ãlvarez going to Norfolk after signing a minor league deal.
Chris Dickerson and Rule 5 picks Aneury Tavárez and Anthony Santander are directly impacted if the Orioles keep Joey Rickard and Craig Gentry as right-handed platoon players in the corner outfield spots and backups to center fielder Adam Jones.
The competition continues for the fifth starter's job. Chris Lee starts Wednesday night, and Showalter told reporters yesterday that Mike Wright probably is pitching on Friday and Gabriel Ynoa on Saturday.
Left-hander Richard Bleier eventually will be reassigned unless something unexpected happens, and Zach Stewart hurt his chances in his last two appearances. Tyler Wilson and Logan Verrett could be competing for one bullpen spot if Vidal Nuño sticks as the left-handed long man. Wilson also is in the mix to replace Chris Tillman, but he isn't scheduled to make another start anytime soon and he's surrendered 10 runs and 14 hits in 12 2/3 innings.
Tillman's eventually placement on the disabled list obviously removes another player from the camp roster.