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Bell not assured of trip to Norfolk

February 16, 2011, 9:00am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Pitchers Justin Duchscherer and Adrian Rosario were sent back to their condo and hotel, respectively, because they're dealing with virus symptoms. They weren't scheduled to throw today, so at least they exhibited good timing. Manager Buck Showalter included Josh Bell among the players who are competing for a utility spot. Mark Reynolds is the starting third baseman, which seems to indicate that Bell is headed to Triple-A Norfolk. That's still the likely outcome, but Bell...

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Reynolds' BP session is a wrap

February 16, 2011, 7:41am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Mark Reynolds put on quite a display on one of the back fields this afternoon, hitting tape-measure home runs each time he stepped into the cage. He launched a few balls to center field. He bounced a few more into the parking lot beyond the left field fence. And he lowered the temperature around the cage by five or six degrees each time he took another mighty swing. We're still learning about Reynolds, but we found out today that he owns Double-A manager Gary Kendall, who...

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Snyder dishing on his new/old role

February 16, 2011, 5:45am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles drafted Brandon Snyder as a catcher back in 2005, making him the 13th overall pick. They moved him to third base and first base, leading to the assumption that he'd never again wear shin guards and a chest protector, though some of those hops can be pretty nasty. Snyder is still viewed by team officials as a first baseman, but he'll get some work behind the plate this spring to increase his versatility and value to the organization. "I'm excited," he said....

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New teammates talk about Guerrero

February 16, 2011, 5:02am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Vladimir Guerrero will officially become an Oriole once he passes his physical and signs his contract. He already turned plenty of heads when he arrived this morning, accompanied by agent Fernando Cuza, his cousin and a friend. The cousin was wearing a bright pink T-shirt and skin-tight jeans. He bears enough of a resemblance to Guerrero, including the facial hair, that I initially thought the future Hall of Famer was making a fashion statement of some sort. By the way,...

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Guerrero ready to take physical

February 16, 2011, 3:58am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Vladimir Guerrero has arrived at camp and is preparing to take his physical. Guerrero showed up wearing a black T-shirt and jeans. He's also sporting a thick goatee. We'll see if the facial hair policy applies to him. Guerrero's agent, Fernando Cuza, also is here and will serve as an interpreter when Guerrero is introduced to the media. We're expecting a press conference on Friday, though we've learned to be flexible when it comes to these things. Guerrero and the...

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Showalter talks about VandenHurk, J.J., Gonzo and more

February 15, 2011, 12:28pm

Orioles

Showalter talks about VandenHurk, J.J., Gonzo and more

SARASOTA, Fla. - New pitching coach Mark Connor interrupted Rick VandenHurk's bullpen session today and slid the rosin bag underneath the pitcher's right heel. I'll admit, that was a first for me. I hadn't seen a pitching coach use this technique, though it's probably been done. "Just putting myself in a better position," VandenHurk said. "I had a little too much weight on my heel instead of my front foot, so he put that there to get my weight a little bit more on my front foot so I...

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More on Duchscherer's bullpen session

February 15, 2011, 9:52am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Justin Duchscherer is probably ahead of most, if not all, of the pitchers in camp after throwing for scouts during the winter. He's definitely ahead of himself in previous springs. "Usually, I'd come to spring training having thrown maybe one or two bullpens to save my bullets, but this season was a little different," he said. "I had to get ready to show teams I was healthy." Duchscherer threw his first Sarasota bullpen session today, breaking out all four of his...

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A few notes off today's workout

February 15, 2011, 8:45am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - I'll file quotes later today, but I wanted to pass along a few nuggets from today's workout. First baseman Brandon Snyder reported to camp. Luis Lebron, who underwent ligament-reconstructive surgery on his right elbow in May, threw off a mound for the first time today. Justin Duchscherer threw all four of his pitches among the 40 that were unleashed in his session. He was pleased with his breaking ball, which he explained had more movement because of the humidity. He's...

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Fox on the run

February 15, 2011, 4:58am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Infielder Brendan Harris and minor league outfielder Matt Angle are here today. Add them to the list of early arrivals, which also includes first baseman Joe Mahoney. Mahoney, the Orioles' minor league player of the year, had a long chat with Harris this morning. I assumed that they knew each other, though I couldn't figure out how, but they just met. Chris Tillman and Jake Arrieta will throw their first bullpen sessions today. Players will take the field around 10 a.m....

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Leftovers from today's first workout

February 14, 2011, 2:28pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - I wanted to dump out the rest of my spring training bag for today. I'll also let you know that tomorrow's workout is slated to begin around 10 a.m., two hours earlier than today. The crowd was pretty small. I'd say it was a modest gathering. But word on the street is that parking was limited because of the construction vehicles. Try again tomorrow. As I mentioned earlier, Koji Uehara threw his fourth bullpen session this afternoon. Unlike the others, he did so under close...

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The first workout has ended

February 14, 2011, 10:51am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Manager Buck Showalter is pleased with how smoothly today's workout ran. No injuries that he's aware of, no reason to be alarmed in any way. "We got through it," he said. "I haven't talked to the trainers and coaches yet, but so far, so good. We got most everybody here with the exception of (Alfredo) Simon, obviously. No red flags yet health-wise. "The physicals were pretty good. Just some of the normal precautions that we already knew about." Pitchers Brandon Erbe...

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A few workout notes

February 14, 2011, 8:51am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - I tore myself away from the back fields to pass along a few notes from the workout, which began at noon and is expected to run until 3 p.m.. Minor league catcher Caleb Joseph beat the other players onto the field for the pre-workout stretch, but Matt Wieters was close behind him. Twenty-nine of the 30 pitchers are in camp today, the obvious exception being Alfredo Simon. All six catchers are here. Brian Roberts passed his physical and walked onto Field 4 to greet manager...

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MASN to broadcast five Orioles exhibition games

February 14, 2011, 6:48am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - As I wait for the pitchers and catchers to complete their physicals and head to the backfields for the first workout, I'll pass along the five exhibition games that will air on MASN: Monday, March 7 at 7 p.m., New York Yankees vs. Orioles Monday, March 14 at 1 p.m., Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Orioles Tuesday, March 15 at 1 p.m., Houston Astros vs. Orioles Saturday, March 19 at 1 p.m., Philadelphia Phillies vs. Orioles Sunday, March 27 at 1 p.m., Boston Red Sox vs. Orioles I'll...

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Waiting for the first workout (with radio schedule)

February 14, 2011, 3:53am

Orioles

Waiting for the first workout (with radio schedule)

SARASOTA, Fla. - I woke up to a bunch of spam comments on the blog, most of them from senders claiming to have squirrels in their pants. Is that really how my day is starting? Anyway, pitchers and catchers are taking their physicals this morning and the clubhouse is closed to the media. They'll immediately head to the back fields for workouts, so access will be delayed. I won't be arriving at Ed Smith Stadium before 11 a.m., unless I want to sit in a room and stare at the walls. A team...

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Gonzalez ready to get going

February 13, 2011, 11:25am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Michael Gonzalez was a health riddle last spring, insisting that his left shoulder felt fine while everyone noticed his diminished velocity and spotty location. He blew two of his first three save chances and went on the disabled list April 14 with a strained shoulder. He wasn't reinstated until July 21. Gonzalez posted a 1.76 ERA in his first 18 appearances after being activated. He looked like a different pitcher, and not simply because he no longer was closing. Orioles...

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Talking renovations and Tillman

February 13, 2011, 10:27am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - I took an extensive walk through Ed Smith Stadium, where the construction will continue right up to the home opener on March 1. Most of the work should be completed by Feb. 21. Construction beyond the left field fence, including an elevated picnic perch that fans are going to love, will take a little longer. The lawsuit delayed construction, but it also allowed for some late changes to the original plans, including raising the picnic area from ground level. I walked through...

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Notes on Patton, Accardo and Drese

February 13, 2011, 7:37am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Brian Matusz and Chris Tillman just arrived together at 12:16 p.m. Troy Patton isn't allowed to speak with the media regarding his DWI arrest in Houston last month. He politely declined to comment before leaving the clubhouse, but he's clearly embarrassed by the incident. Patton may not have to leave the team for a court hearing later this month. There's a chance that he'll be able to work around it. Brad Bergesen was playing catch on one of the back fields with Jeremy...

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More scenes from Sarasota

February 13, 2011, 5:18am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Koji Uehara just played catch outdoors. So far, so good. Third baseman Mark Reynolds has reported with the pitchers and catchers. Looks like he's eager to get started. Reynolds is working out today and will take his 2-year-old daughter to Disney the next two days. I told him to enjoy these precious moments while he can, since my little angel turns 18 tomorrow. I swear she was 2 when I left the house yesterday. I took another spin through the clubhouse. It's a little...

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The start of spring training (updated)

February 13, 2011, 3:51am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - I can say that spring training has officially started because my rental car is parked at Ed Smith Stadium and I've already walked through the clubhouse once this morning. I saw a bunch of empty lockers. I also saw a huge crane outside the stadium as the renovations continue at the complex. The finishing touches are being applied to the back fields, which should be ready for tomorrow's first workout for pitchers and catchers. Some of the stadium work could continue until the...

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They came to say goodbye to Ernie Tyler

February 15, 2011, 8:15am

Orioles

It was a cold and blustery morning in Harford County. Not a day exactly made for a ballgame, but that didn't stop hundreds from making their way to St. Ignatius Roman Catholic Church in Jarrettsville to say goodbye to Ernie Tyler. The man, who was an Orioles employee since their first season in 1954 and umpires attendant since 1960, died at 86 on Thursday. The stories about Ernie and kind words from so many have been pouring in ever since and today was a time for a final goodbye. The...