Rummaging through my notebook

Carlos Delgado hasn't started playing for Gigantes de Carolina of the Puerto Rican Winter League. The Orioles still intend to scout him later this month unless they find another first baseman. I exchanged emails with Delgago's agent, David Sloane, who said he won't be making any comments regarding negotiations. Nothing personal. It's just in his client's best interests. Sloane, who won't be attending the Winter Meetings in Indianapolis, sent out mass emails to reporters that provided updates the last time Delgado was a free agent. The opening on the 40-man roster was created so the Orioles would have the option of participating in Thursday's Rule 5 draft, but president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail said "there isn't a specific player that prompted that action." "Going in with that latitude is a good idea, particularly when you thought you would end up moving some guys off the 40-man eventually," he said. "We may as well do it sooner as opposed to later, just to give us that added flexibility." MacPhail said he hasn't read or heard any rumors about his team's interest in players that are "totally outlandish," but he agrees that the phrase "on their radar" is open to a variety of interpretations. The Orioles are still trying to determine Erik Bedard's availability this season after he underwent another shoulder surgery. They'll need to research his medical records and trust the judgment of their physicians, "not what you read on the internet," MacPhail said. Bedard isn't expected to be ready for Opening Day, according to various reports. If we're looking at a July return, the Orioles' interest would understandably decrease.