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Post-workout notes

February 23, 2011, 10:05am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Rick VandenHurk will follow Jeremy Guthrie to the mound in the second exhibition game. Left-hander Zach Britton will replace Justin Duchscherer in the third game. Manager Buck Showalter doesn't seem overly concerned about second baseman Brian Roberts' neck. "Muscle spasm. Nothing other than that. Trapezius. Is that right? Day-to-day," Showalter said. "They didn't see any disk issues or anything. It is what it is. We've all woke up with a stiff neck." Showalter...

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Roberts downplays neck issue

February 23, 2011, 8:34am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - It appears that Brian Roberts is fine and only dealing with some stiffness in his neck after leaving camp this morning and undergoing X-rays. Roberts will continue to receive treatment. He's unsure whether he'll return to the field tomorrow, which makes him day-to-day. "Just a stiff neck," he said, downplaying the situation when approached by reporters. "We've probably all had a stiff neck at some point in our life, right? I'm not overly concerned." True, but we...

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Callis feels O's best move is for Britton to start at Triple-A

February 23, 2011, 8:16am

Orioles

Callis feels O's best move is for Britton to start at Triple-A

In an interview, Baseball America's Jim Callis talked about Zach Britton's readiness to pitch in the major leagues. But Callis believes the Orioles' best move is for Britton to begin this season back in the minor leagues. "I think he is ready for the big leagues. He has no obvious weakness and did get in 12 starts last year at Triple-A and pitched well," Callis said. "That said, the Orioles have no shot at contending this year, so from a team standpoint, I don't think it makes any sense...

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Lee could take BP Friday (updated)

February 23, 2011, 8:15am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - First baseman Derrek Lee is hoping to take batting practice on the field Friday after being restricted to hitting soft tosses in the cage during the first days of the full-squad workouts. Lee, three months removed from surgery to repair a torn ligament in his thumb, won't take BP with the team. The veteran will take his swings against one of the minor league coaches. Earlier today, Lee stood in the cage but kept the bat on his shoulder while Brad Bergesen threw live batting...

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Pitchers added to early exhibition games

February 23, 2011, 6:54am

Orioles

Pitchers added to early exhibition games

SARASOTA, Fla. - Left-hander Zach Britton and right-hander Rick VandenHurk also will make appearances during the first week of the exhibition schedule. Jeremy Guthrie will start the March 1 home opener against the Rays, and Justin Duchscherer will start the following day against the Phillies in Clearwater. Britton will pitch in one of those games, with VandenHurk taking the mound in the other. Brad Bergesen and Chris Tillman will pitch in the first game Feb. 28 against the Pirates in...

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Comparing Connor to Kranitz

February 23, 2011, 3:07am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - So did I hear correctly that the Gino Giant is coming back to Baltimore? Best burger around when I was a kid. The clubhouse is closed to the media for the second time in three mornings. On Monday, it was due to physicals and dental and vision exams. Today, our access is limited because of team meetings, including one with umpires. I've been asked many times about the differences between former pitching coach Rick Kranitz and the man who replaced him, Mark Connor. Are...

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Roberts leaves camp

February 23, 2011, 6:21am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - I just arrived in the workroom to find out that Brian Roberts isn't working out today. He left camp with a sore neck. Roberts might need X-rays. That's all we really know at the moment. But since he exited the facility, it makes sense that he'd be going for X-rays. At least it's not his back, though I only play a doctor on this blog, so there could be a connection that I'm missing. Cesar Izturis was re-signed to back up at second base. Robert Andino, Brendan Harris and...

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Scott back in outfield of dreams

February 22, 2011, 1:39pm

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Want to get under Luke Scott's skin? Are you nuts? It's probably not a good idea, but here's one suggestion if you're in that sort of devious and daring mood: Suggest that he's only suited to be a designated hitter. Then run, do not walk, to the nearest exit. That's been Scott's primary role with the Orioles, but he's projected to be the starting left fielder in 2011. A future Hall of Famer is taking over his former duties. You might have heard of the guy - Vladimir...

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One time through the rotation

February 22, 2011, 9:18am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - You already know that Brad Bergesen and Chris Tillman are pitching in the first exhibition game on Feb. 28 versus the Pirates in Bradenton. Here's what you didn't know until today: Jeremy Guthrie is starting the March 1 home exhibition game against Tampa Bay. Justin Duchscherer will start March 2 against the Phillies in Clearwater. Brian Matusz and Rule 5 pick Adrian Rosario will pitch in the March 3 game against the Twins in Sarasota, and Jake Arrieta and Ryan Drese will...

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Looking back on one very wise decision

February 22, 2011, 5:06am

Orioles

If we think back to last July, as it appeared that the Orioles were likely to name Buck Showalter as their next manager, there was one great debate ongoing. The debate was about just when Showalter should take over the team. Many fans, it seemed well over 50 percent to me, felt Showalter should not take over the club until the season was over so he could start fresh in the dugout on opening day 2011. We can look back now and say that Andy MacPhail's timing of Showalter's hire could not...

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The time of year when hope does spring eternal

February 19, 2011, 7:10am

Orioles

The time of year when hope does spring eternal

Fans can come up with some interesting theories. One I saw recently was that the reason it was taking so long for Vladimir Guerrero to get his Orioles physical was because he was having second thoughts about signing with the club and would end up elsewhere even after agreeing to terms. Then I saw the headline on Peter Schmuck's Baltimore Sun column that read, "Guerrero looks a bit subdued in signing with the Orioles." Oh, no, I know what is coming next. "See, he really doesn't want to...

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Simon could be released from jail this week

February 21, 2011, 3:49pm

Orioles

Simon could be released from jail this week

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles pitcher Alfredo Simon could be released from a Dominican jail this week, perhaps as early as Wednesday, according to his representatives. Simon has been detained for 49 days following the shooting death of his cousin on New Year's Eve in the town of Luperon. Another man was injured during the celebration. Phil Isaac of the Para Sports Group said a ballistics test proved that the bullet that killed Michael Esteban Castillo Almonte, 25, didn't come from the gun Simon...

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Two thumbs up for Showalter's film

February 21, 2011, 9:54am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The reviews keep pouring in, and it's apparent that manager Buck Showalter's inspirational film is a huge hit with his players. Showalter took his team to a local movie theater last night after everyone gathered at Ed Smith Stadium for a pre-workout meeting. They were treated to a short video that included highlights of past and present players, and a sold-out Camden Yards. Just a reminder of what it was like, and what it could be again. "It was awesome. It was off the...

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Guerrero and Scott take their cuts

February 22, 2011, 7:20am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Minor league catching instructor Don Werner threw batting practice on the Camden Yards back field this morning. He actually turned and watched one of Vladimir Guerrero's fly balls clear the left field fence, and the young boy standing behind it. It was that impressive. Guerrero and Luke Scott drove the ball to the opposite field during their first rounds of BP. Then it was time to unload. Guerrero mashed the last three balls thrown to him. Players around the cage were...

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MASN announces spring training broadcast schedule, will televise "NatsFest 2011"

February 22, 2011, 6:38am

Nationals Orioles

MASN announces spring training broadcast schedule, will televise "NatsFest 2011"

MASN, the television home of the Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles, has announced its 2011 spring training schedule. The network will televise 10 spring training games - five for each team - and all will appear on MASN's dedicated high-definition channel, MASN HD. Kicking off the baseball season on MASN HD, the Nationals will face the Atlanta Braves on March 6 in Viera, Florida. MASN's preseason Nationals schedule will include four other games from Space Coast Stadium, the team's...

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A few notes before today's workout

February 22, 2011, 5:05am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Sorry to hear about the snow last night. If it makes you feel any better, the automated phone call from Carroll County Public Schools woke me up at 6 a.m. Snippets of the motivational video that manager Buck Showalter presented to his team Sunday night will be shown between innings at Camden Yards throughout the season. There are no plans to make the entire film available to the public. Vladimir Guerrero is still sporting his goatee. He's also smiling more as each day...

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Showalter updates Lee and more

February 21, 2011, 11:28am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Derrek Lee took ground balls at first base this morning, but most of his work was done before taking the field for the first full-squad workout. He continues to hit soft tosses in the cage. "After talking to him, everything's progressing right on schedule. In fact, he's ahead of schedule," manager Buck Showalter said. Lee underwent surgery in November to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb. The Orioles won't rush him, and they don't seem concerned about getting...

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Showalter names starter for first exhibition game

February 21, 2011, 10:51am

Orioles

Showalter names starter for first exhibition game

SARASOTA, Fla. - Don't read too much into it, but manager Buck Showalter has chosen Brad Bergesen to start the first exhibition game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Feb. 28 in Bradenton. Chris Tillman will follow Bergesen to the mound. They'll each go two or three innings. Showalter will mostly use his relievers for the intrasquad game that will be played the previous day at the Ed Smith Stadium complex. Jeremy Guthrie is expected to be the opening day starter at Tropicana Field, which...

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Adams trying to fix defensive reputation

February 21, 2011, 2:31am

Orioles

Adams trying to fix defensive reputation

SARASOTA, Fla. - Just a reminder that the clubhouse is closed to the media this morning while the Orioles conduct physicals, and dental and vision exams. They're expected to take the field around noon for the first full-squad workout. Perhaps Vladimir Guerrero will step into the cage and take batting practice in full view of his teammates, fans and the media. And I can provide the latest facial-hair update. No day is complete without one. Ryan Adams, the Orioles' second-round pick in 2006,...

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A few more observations

February 21, 2011, 9:06am

Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - Derrek Lee still has soft hands around first base, fielding the ball cleanly and effortlessly. We'll evaluate his range once the games begin. Lee and Jake Fox took grounders at first and worked on executing the 3-6-3 double play. Mark Reynolds and Brendan Harris took grounders at third, J.J. Hardy and Nick Green at shortstop and Brian Roberts and Cesar Izturis at second. Harris, Green and Izturis will move around the infield. Vladimir Guerrero's first round of batting...