masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgSARASOTA, Fla. – I’ll pass along Derrek Lee quotes in a few minutes, but I wanted to let you know that his right wrist felt great during his two plate appearances today.

Lee said the plan all along called for him to get two at-bats. He’ll get three tomorrow in Port Charlotte and take off Monday.

Lee sounds encouraged and figures to get enough at-bats to be ready for the April 1 opener.

“It feels great. I was happy. It wasn’t an issue. I didn’t feel it swinging. I kind of landed on it…SARASOTA, Fla. – I’ll pass along Derrek Lee quotes in a few minutes, but I wanted to let you know that his right wrist felt great during his two plate appearances today.

Lee said the plan all along called for him to get two at-bats. He’ll get three tomorrow in Port Charlotte and take off Monday.

Lee sounds encouraged and figures to get enough at-bats to be ready for the April 1 opener.

“It feels great. I was happy. It wasn’t an issue. I didn’t feel it swinging. I kind of landed on it going for a ball and didn’t feel it. I was happy with it,” Lee said.

“It was two at-bats all the way, and three tomorrow.

“I felt good. I wish I didn’t swing at the 3-2 ball, but other than that, it was good.

“I think Cole was working on his changeup and slider today. I was able to see some pitches and go deep in the count. I felt alright. I saw the ball pretty good. I can’t complain. I wasn’t going to be too hard on myself either way today.”

Lee says he’ll be ready on April 1 because “I have no choice, right?”

“I’ll get 10 games or so. I’ll try to get as many at-bats as I can,” he said.

“I think my body’s in great shape. I stayed in great shape. The only thing I wasn’t able to do was play in the games and get at-bats. I think my body will be ready. It’s just a matter of timing. I’ll get 15-20 at-bats. I think that should be enough.”

Today’s attendance: 8,549, an Ed Smith Stadium record.