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Showalter speaks after workout

February 20, 2012, 9:37am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Six more pitchers need to be tested Tuesday on director of pitching development Rick Peterson's biomechanical analysis. I think you should pass the test if you can repeat that sentence without stumbling. Asked about Zach Britton's progression, manager Buck Showalter said, "So far, so good. It's kind of like trying to keep in mind where the finish line is. The only thing we try to do is slow him down a little bit." More from Showalter: On Andino: "I'm real proud of...

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More positive results for Britton (and notes)

February 20, 2012, 7:12am

Orioles

More positive results for Britton (and notes)

SARASOTA, Fla. - Zach Britton said his flat-ground session went "really well" today, and he remains encouraged by the progress he's making after being bothered again by inflammation in his left shoulder. Britton moved back to 100 feet today while making 60-70 throws. He also simulated his delivery on another 10-15 throws, also on flat ground. Britton said he'll do the same thing Tuesday in his first back-to-back days of throwing. "They want me to keep my throws up to 120 throws for...

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Annual opening day block party continues at Sports Legends Museum

February 20, 2012, 9:29am

Orioles

Annual opening day block party continues at Sports Legends Museum

Opening day is always a celebration of sorts in Baltimore, as fans pack Camden Yards and revel in another season getting underway. But as has been the case the last 21 years, you have the opportunity to celebrate opening day with Orioles fans right outside the park even before the party inside Oriole Park begins. The Babe Ruth Birthplace Foundation is hosting their annual "Opening Day Block Party" again this season, complete with food, drink and plenty of O's fun. The event will be held...

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Andino: "My focus is just to be ready"

February 20, 2012, 4:51am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Don't try to pin a job description on Robert Andino. Second baseman? Super-utility player? Leadoff hitter? It doesn't matter to him. You can ask all you want, but his answer isn't going to change. "My focus is just to be ready," Andino said. "Whatever the boss says to do, I'm going to do. I'm just here trying to help the team win, so whatever I've got to do, that's what I'm going to do. I'm just here to get ready." Manager Buck Showalter says that in a perfect...

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Bundy satisfied to be a student in camp

February 19, 2012, 3:57pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Dylan Bundy is in camp with the Orioles with one goal in mind, and it's not to be introduced on opening day. Give the kid credit for being a realist. "It's to learn from all these older guys and pick their brains and see what they're thinking and what their thought process is on the field and learn as much baseball as I can while I'm here," he said. The clubhouse isn't filled with veteran pitchers who fit the mentor profile, but Bundy is 19 years old. They're all...

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More from Showalter

February 19, 2012, 12:15pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Dylan Bundy, the Orioles' first-round pick in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft, won't throw until Monday, but he's already made a favorable impression on manager Buck Showalter. "He's a pretty serious kid, and rightfully so. And it's not because he's nervous, either," Showalter said. "I'm sure he's trying to figure out a way to make the club. He's a very attentive listener. He'll get out of this what he needs to get out of it and get on with his season. He's a...

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Dylan Bundy on long toss, expectations and working with a former MLB catcher

February 17, 2012, 6:13pm

Orioles

Dylan Bundy on long toss, expectations and working with a former MLB catcher

The Orioles selected pitcher Dylan Bundy with the fourth pick in round one of the First-Year Player Draft last June. Now Bundy is beginning his first pro spring training camp this weekend. After signing a major league contract he is on the 40-man roster and reporting with many others to major league camp at Ed Smith Stadium. Earlier this week,in this story, Bundy talked about his offseason workouts and excitement level about the start of spring camp. During our interview, I asked the...

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Wada getting acclimated to new surroundings

February 19, 2012, 10:07am

Orioles

Wada getting acclimated to new surroundings

SARASOTA, Fla. - Japanese left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada threw in the indoor batting cage today as the Orioles' first workout for pitchers and catchers concluded at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. The area is off-limits to media, so I can't tell you how the ball came out of his hand. Wada is drawing a lot of attention from the Japanese media. They filmed him tying his shoes this morning at his locker. I guess that's breaking news back home. Wada, speaking through interpreter Danny MacLeith, said...

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Johnson downplays "little strain" in lower back

February 19, 2012, 6:14am

Orioles

Johnson downplays "little strain" in lower back

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles reliever Jim Johnson said he'll probably be a week behind the other pitchers in camp because of lower-back discomfort that has subsided. Johnson described his condition as "a little strain" and playfully chided reporters for rushing to his locker for an update. "I had a little problem in the offseason and went and saw a doctor and we've been working on it," he said. "Everything's fine. I'll just be a week behind schedule. It's taken care of. "It's just...

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Wrapping up the first day of workouts

February 19, 2012, 9:53am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Today's first workout consisted mostly of pitchers fielding practice, which rivals watching paint dry in terms of excitement. A group of pitchers threw inside the covered batting cage, which is off-limits to reporters. They also underwent the biomechanical pitching analysis designed by new director of pitching development Rick Peterson. "We're breaking them up. It'll go on for at least two more days. We just don't want to disrupt too much. We should get most of the...

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Preparing for the first workout

February 19, 2012, 4:07am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Pitchers and catchers are taking their physicals this morning, which pushes back the time of today's first workout to noon on the back fields of the Ed Smith Stadium complex. One field is under construction, with concrete being spread over it yesterday. I'll assume it's an artificial surface. Otherwise, the grass is going to look the same as the stuff growing in my front yard. The forecast for today is ominous - thunderstorms are supposed to crash the workout party - but...

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More notes and quotes from camp

February 18, 2012, 8:25am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Brian Roberts showed up today, according to manager Buck Showalter, who told reporters that the second baseman had a good look on his face and seemed upbeat. Outfielders Nolan Reimold and Scott Beerer also are in camp, and they have a very similar look. Beerer is the early favorite to beat Reimold in a sprint, which is interesting. You've seen how fast Reimold gets down the line. I'm sure a match-race is in the works. Left-hander Ryan Edell, signed to a minor league deal,...

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Showalter taking it slow with Jim Johnson (with quote)

February 18, 2012, 9:23am

Orioles

Showalter taking it slow with Jim Johnson (with quote)

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter said he's going to be cautious early in camp with pitchers Zach Britton and Jim Johnson. Britton is receiving treatment for inflammation in his left shoulder. He played long toss again today, and pitching coach Rick Adair told Showalter that the session went very well. No soreness, no symptoms. Meanwhile, Showalter revealed that Johnson has "some patella stuff and lower-back things," but neither condition is viewed as serious. Johnson is...

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An empty clubhouse slowly fills up

February 18, 2012, 6:36am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - By the time I left the clubhouse this morning, I had spotted pitchers Zach Britton, Brian Matusz, Chris Tillman, Alfredo Simon, Pedro Strop, Tommy Hunter, Jason Berken, Brad Bergesen, Jason Hammel, Oliver Drake, Pat Neshek, Matt Lindstrom, Jon Link, Dana Eveland, Zach Phillips, Dylan Bundy, Darren O'Day and Wei-Yin Chen, and catchers Matt Wieters, Taylor Teagarden and Brian Ward. Pitcher Steve Johnson and first baseman Joe Mahoney have corner lockers next to the big fridges...

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Reporting for duty (updated)

February 18, 2012, 4:10am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Pitchers and catchers will report to camp today, and the media has been granted clubhouse access from 10 a.m.-10:30 a.m. In the past, we've been allowed to stake out the clubhouse all morning and afternoon, so I'm not sure why a change has been implemented. New regime, new rules? I've already experienced my weird moment of the day. I got into my car, turned on the stereo and heard "Turning Japanese" by The Vapors. Now I just need to find a song about the Mandarin...

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The view from inside the clubhouse

February 17, 2012, 9:43am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - I'm staying in a different hotel this spring, so I must rely on my horrible sense of direction and my GPS to find my way to Ed Smith Stadium and downtown Sarasota. The good news: I'm very close to the Sarasota airport. The bad news: I flew into Tampa. Though it's overcast and a light rain has been falling, the temperature was 71 degrees when my plane landed. No shovel required. I made a quick trip to the ballpark to check out the clubhouse renovations, and they're...

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Taking a closer look at pitch counts

February 16, 2012, 5:53pm

Orioles

In discussing Orioles pitching injuries in my blog yesterday the topic of pitch counts was raised by a few readers in the comments section. A pitcher passing 100 pitches may be getting close to reaching what some consider a high pitch count and his time left in that game may be limited. The use of pitch counts drives some people in the sport and some fans crazy. They see some managers as prisoners of the pitch count and think many outings could and should go well past the 100-pitch mark with...

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Off to Sarasota

February 16, 2012, 4:50pm

Orioles

Did I actually make it out of Maryland this winter without shoveling snow? Will I actually go another year without missing my flight? I don't even know who I am anymore. Pitchers and catchers report to spring training Saturday, which means I need to be in Sarasota today. Players start to trickle in early, and I always love playing "Who's that guy?" There's no way I'd arrive late and miss out on all the fun. A new player walks into the clubhouse carrying his equipment bag. Reporters...

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Can biomechanical analysis help the Orioles reduce pitching injuries?

February 15, 2012, 6:21pm

Orioles

Before the 2010 season, Baseball America released its list of the top 100 prospects in Major League Baseball. Brian Matusz was ranked at No. 5, Zach Britton at No. 63 and Jake Arrieta at No. 99. As we head into the 2012 season, all three pitchers are either currently dealing with an injury or had some injury issues last season. Yesterday, we learned that Britton is now dealing with some left shoulder inflammation and recently had an MRI. He said he fully expects to be ready for opening...

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Listing this and that

February 15, 2012, 6:36pm

Orioles

The final items on my to-do list must be crossed off today. I'm running out of time before boarding my flight to Sarasota tomorrow morning for the start of spring training. The Orioles don't have any other players facing arbitration hearings, and they're not expected to anger any other countries. It should be a slow day. Speaking of lists, I'll be sure to add Zach Britton's name to the expanded story lines in spring training. He was going to be scrutinized anyway because he's competing...