Showalter talks about Duchscherer

Showalter talks about Duchscherer
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter is waiting to hear back from his athletic training staff after Justin Duchscherer declined to pitch in the simulated game on the Camden Yards field. Duchscherer alerted the club that he felt some discomfort while throwing off flat ground. "He just came out here and wasn't able to pitch," Showalter said. "I don't really know where we're at. Richie (Bancells) just said he felt some discomfort and wants to get it looked at. Doesn't feel good...
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Duchscherer scratched from simulated game (with lineup)

Duchscherer scratched from simulated game (with lineup)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Justin Duchscherer wasn't able to pitch in today's simulated game because of discomfort in his left hip. Duchscherer threw on flat ground and said he didn't feel comfortable. The medical staff is checking on him. The Orioles could go with a four-man rotation early in the season because of the April 5 off-day, giving them more time with Duchscherer. The simulated game involved a pitcher, batter, catcher and umpire. Nobody else. It gave guys like Jim Johnson and Mark...
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While waiting for the lineup...

While waiting for the lineup...
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles play three straight home games, so I can leave my GPS at the hotel. I've got this route memorized. The clubhouse was closed to the media in the morning because of meetings. Players are participating in drills on the main field. Justin Duchscherer is getting ready to pitch in an intrasquad game on one of the back fields. It's the "left-handed game" that manager Buck Showalter organized. Players were brought over from the minor league side, including first...
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Final thoughts on 6-4 win

Final thoughts on 6-4 win
KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Brandon Snyder collected his third hit in the ninth inning, a run-scoring single that completed the Orioles' 6-4 victory over the Houston Astros. Snyder came within a triple of the cycle while raising his spring average to .360. Ryan Adams also had three hits and is batting .500 with six RBIs. "We had some things we wanted him to get adjusted with before he went on the field, and I can see why he has the potential offensively," manager Buck Showalter said. "He has a...
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Quick game update (and Britton quotes)

Quick game update (and Britton quotes)
KISSIMMEE, Fla. - We had a long delay in the top of the seventh inning after a woman was hit by a Jake Fox foul ball behind the Astros' bullpen area. She was removed on a stretcher. Players left the Astros dugout and walked to the railing. Fox eventually returned to the Orioles' dugout and watched from the top step. He struck out once play resumed. Brandon Snyder homered off Casey Fien leading off the top of the eighth. Orioles 5, Astros 0. Ryan Adams reached on an infield hit to open the...
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Britton blanks Astros

Britton blanks Astros
KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Left-hander Zach Britton extended his spring scoreless innings streak to nine today by shutting out the Houston Astros through the fourth. Chris Tillman replaced him as scheduled. Britton allowed four hits, walked two and struck out two. By my unofficial count, he threw 57 pitches, including 38 for strikes. Britton's pace was slow in the first, when he walked Oswaldo Navarro with one out and gave up a single to Carlos Lee. But Jason Michaels grounded into a 6-4-3 double...
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Answering the Adams question

Answering the Adams question
KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Ryan Adams was in the Orioles' original lineup today as the starting second baseman. Brandon Harris replaced him in the second lineup. Adam was re-inserted in the third lineup. Good idea to play him today. Adams gave the Orioles a 1-0 lead in the second inning with a double to right field off Houston's J.A. Happ that scored Brandon Snyder, who also doubled. Adams initially slowed up at first before racing to second ahead of the throw. Robert Andino, batting leadoff,...
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Today's lineup and scratches (updated)

Today's lineup and scratches (updated)
KiSSIMMEE, Fla. - Catcher Matt Wieters was excused from making the trip today because of a tender thumb. He could play if this game meant anything. The club is just giving him a break. Also, first baseman Joe Mahoney was scratched after tweaking his hamstring yesterday on the basepaths. Infielder Cesar Izturis didn't make the trip because he played yesterday after being sidelined with a sore ankle. Second baseman Brian Roberts is scheduled to have an MRI on his back later this...
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Still waiting for lineup

Still waiting for lineup
KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Manager Buck Showalter didn't post a lineup this morning and we're still waiting for his arrival at Osceola County Stadium. I'm looking at the travel roster and it doesn't include Cesar Izturis. He isn't making the trip, so forget what I wrote earlier about him starting. Change of plans. Matt Wieters didn't accompany the team here, either. He's not hurt, but he may be excused from playing today. More on that later. The Orioles added minor leaguers Xavier Avery, Greg ...
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Giving you a Kissimmee goodbye

Giving you a Kissimmee goodbye
SARASOTA, Fla. - I'm heading over to Kissimmee today for the game against the Astros. I'm told it's not the end of the earth, but you can see it from there. The Sun's Dan Connolly will handle the driving and the choice of music. It's a small price to pay for the thrill of another exhibition game at a faraway place with the Orioles' lineup expected to be filled by reserves and minor leaguers. We know that Matt Wieters is serving as the designated hitter today. He could use the at-bats....
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Some weekend quick takes

Some weekend quick takes
A few impressions and opinions on the happenings at Orioles camp in Sarasota. *The injury news about Brian Roberts and Derrek Lee reminds us of the biggest issue facing this team this year. It's not how much Vladimir Guerrero has left, the progress of the young rotation or the development of Matt Wieters. It's the health of this team. They can't afford to lose many players and certain guys like Roberts and Lee are pretty critical to the hopes that this team is better and a good year is...
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Orioles announce 11 roster cuts

Orioles announce 11 roster cuts
The Orioles today announced 11 spring training roster cuts, bringing their spring roster to 46 players. The Orioles optioned right-handers Brandon Erbe and Chorye Spoone and left-handers Troy Patton and Pedro Viola to Triple-A Norfolk. Right-hander Luis LeBron and infielder Pedro Florimon were optioned to Double-A Bowie. Right-handers Mitch Atkins and Raul Rivero, outfielder Tyler Henson, and catchers Adam Donachie and Caleb Joseph were reassigned to minor league camp.
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Roberts MRI scheduled, 13 cuts made (updated)

Roberts MRI scheduled, 13 cuts made (updated)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts saw a back specialist today and received a few "trigger point injections," according to manager Buck Showalter. An MRI has been scheduled for tomorrow. Roberts will be shut down until Tuesday at the earliest. The cortisone is suppose to relax the spasms. "We're at a stage still in spring training where time is on our side a little bit," Showalter said. "The big thing is identifying it and seeing if we can do something to eliminate it...
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Guthrie talks about his outing (updated)

Guthrie talks about his outing (updated)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Jason Berken needed a good outing today and he got it. He retired all six batters he faced. The Phillies continue to lead, 8-3, in the eighth inning. Here are some quotes from Jeremy Guthrie, who was charged with four runs and six hits on a blustery day. On getting through four innings: "I've been trying to work quickly, trying to keep the pitch count down and be aggressive. And that's something I've been able to do for the most part in all three of my outings." On the...
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Rapada on a roll

Rapada on a roll
SARASOTA, Fla. - Left-handed specialist Clay Rapada just breezed through the sixth inning, which seemed appropriate on an extremely windy day. Rapada actually faced two left-handed hitters, striking out Brian Schneider on three pitches and retiring Pete Orr on a one-hopper to the mound. Four pitches, two outs. Freddy Galvis flied to left field to end the inning. Rapada threw 11 pitches, nine for strikes. The one that struck out Schneider was clocked at 74 mph, leading a scribe on press row...
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Guthrie goes four (updated twice)

Guthrie goes four (updated twice)
SARASOTA, Fla. - I didn't like Jeremy Guthrie's chances of going four innings today after he needed 20 pitches to get through a three-run first, but he made it. Guthrie threw seven pitches in the second inning and eight in the fourth. He left after throwing 53, including 33 for strikes. Guthrie is charged with four runs and six hits, with one walk and one strikeout. Kevin Gregg has replaced him. I swear, this guy pitches every single day. Raul Ibanez homered, doubled and drove in three...
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Forgettable first for Guthrie (updated)

Forgettable first for Guthrie (updated)
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Phillies scored three runs off Jeremy Guthrie in the first inning, the first two coming on Raul Ibanez's homer to center field. Guthrie walked Shane Victorino with one out, and Ibanez jumped on a 2-0 pitch. Ryan Howard struck out, but Ross Gload doubled and Delwyn Young singled to right for a 3-0 lead. Luke Scott cut off Nick Markakis' throw and got Young in a rundown between first and second. Score the putout 9-3-6-4. Guthrie threw 20 pitches, 12 for strikes. Instant...
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Roberts could undergo more testing on back (with quotes)

Roberts could undergo more testing on back (with quotes)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts isn't able to take infield or batting practice today, and he could undergo more tests on his back. Roberts hit in the cage yesterday, but he's been shut down again today. He hasn't played since Monday night because of spasms. Manager Buck Showalter couldn't provide more information on the tests or whether they were necessarily, but the idea has been discussed. "He's not any better today," Showalter said. "I know they're talking...
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More about Uehara and Lee

More about Uehara and Lee
SARASOTA, Fla. - Koji Uehara spoke this morning about the earthquake and tsunami in Japan and his attempts to reach his parents and extended family. Speaking through interpreter Jiwon Bang, Uehara said the earthquake hit "in a different place, but there has been some damage where I live." "At this moment, I don't really know all the details yet, but I am guessing that the damage will be huge, so I am worried," he said. Uehara has lived through major earthquakes in the past. "All I can...
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When it comes to drafting high school or college, do O's have a preference?

When it comes to drafting high school or college, do O's have a preference?
When it comes to the June draft, do the Orioles have a preference when it comes to drafting a high school or a college player? Some teams have been said to have preferences, but O's scouting director Joe Jordan said the Orioles do not. "For me, I don't care. It's the best player, what fits the best for that round. That's really how we look at it. If there's a 21-year-old player that we have a lot of looks at and they're available and that's a good solid pick, that's a good decision...
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