masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgSARASOTA, Fla. – Alex Cobb is throwing his simulated game today on a back field at the Ed Smith Stadium complex, the alternative to having him start tonight against the Twins in Fort Myers.
A blister on his pitching hand led to the change in assignments.
DJ Stewart, Richie Martin and Renato Núñez are some of the hitters facing Cobb, who’s made only one Grapefruit League start but has been throwing simulated games and bullpen sessions to build up innings.
The Orioles have two cameras set…

SARASOTA, Fla. – Alex Cobb is throwing his simulated game today on a back field at the Ed Smith Stadium complex, the alternative to having him start tonight against the Twins in Fort Myers.

A blister on his pitching hand led to the change in assignments.

DJ Stewart, Richie Martin and Renato Núñez are some of the hitters facing Cobb, who’s made only one Grapefruit League start but has been throwing simulated games and bullpen sessions to build up innings.

The Orioles have two cameras set up for Cobb – one behind the mound and another behind the first base line. Pitcher Wade LeBlanc showed up and has been studying Cobb’s pitches from behind the screen.

Santander-High-Fives-Wilkerson-White-Sidebar.jpgThe Orioles just posted their lineup for tonight’s game and Stevie Wilkerson isn’t in it, but he said that he could have played.

Wilkerson came out of yesterday’s game in Dunedin after fouling a ball off his right shin, which immediately began to swell. He has it wrapped today, but said he’s available.

“Totally good,” he said, smiling as usual. “Banged off the shin yesterday, but woke up this morning and it was totally fine.”

Wilkerson said he didn’t fear that he sustained a fracture or something else more serious than a bruise.

“Initially, it definitely hurts pretty good,” said Wilkerson, who homered and singled against the Blue Jays. “I told skip (manager Brandon Hyde) I could finish the at-bat, but he said, ‘Let’s go ahead and get you out of there.’

“I could play tonight if I was on there.”

Hanser Alberto is playing third base tonight and Chris Davis is the designated hitter, with Rio Ruiz at first base. Anthony Santander gets another start in right field.

Andrew Velazquez is the second baseman and Austin Wynns is catching Ellicott City native Bruce Zimmermann.

This is contigent on Major League Baseball not suspending spring training due to the coronavirus.

For the Orioles
Austin Hays CF
Hanser Alberto 3B
Chris Davis DH
Anthony Santander RF
José Iglesias SS
Dwight Smith Jr. LF
Rio Ruiz 1B
Austin Wynns C
Andrew Velazquez 2B

Bruce Zimmermann LHP