Lee not hitting today (updated)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles first baseman Derrek Lee won't take batting practice today after hitting outdoors for the first time yesterday afternoon.
Lee said his surgically repaired right thumb is "a little bit tender."
"Probably as expected, since it was the first time I hit on the field," he said.
Lee plans to take BP tomorrow.
"Overly cautious," he said. "I was hoping I would wake up feeling 100 percent, but I kind of knew I'd wake up sore."
Meanwhile, Brian Roberts is outside...
SARASOTA, Fla. - I can't close out the day without letting manager Buck Showalter say a few words.
Showalter noted that second baseman Brian Roberts' neck showed some improvement again today.
"Better than yesterday, and the other day was better than that," Showalter said. "We'll see what tomorrow brings."
Showalter confirmed that no further tests are scheduled for Roberts. X-rays came back negative. He's apparently been bothered by spasms.
"They pretty much feel like they've got...
Lefthander Ross Detwiler continues to show good mechanics and renewed core strength following offseason rehabilitation from the hip injury that nagged him last season.
The only bump in the first 10 days at spring camp in Viera, Fla., has been a slight head cold and sore throat that left him tired Thursday. But Detwiler will return to throwing live batting practice today.
"Everything is feeling great," Detwiler said. "I think with my offseason program and really honing in on building...
SARASOTA, Fla. - No sense ignoring Brian Roberts in this entry. He's been a constant presence, though Derrek Lee provided a slight distraction earlier today.
Roberts said his neck is "getting better every day." He received more treatment today to alleviate the soreness and also rode a stationary bike.
"It's definitely better than it was a couple days ago," he said. "It's the time of the year where you just want to get it completely gone before you go back out there again."
Asked...
SARASOTA, Fla. - I'll plug in more quotes later, but here are some short items from today's workout:
Brian Roberts said his neck feels better every day. He also said he could play if it were the regular season.
"It's definitely better than it was a couple days ago," he said.
Asked if he might work out tomorrow, Roberts said, "I don't try to guess about tomorrow. To tell you the truth, it probably hasn't really been my call. It's a group effort."
Derrek Lee will see how his thumb...
When I talked to Orioles 2010 first-round draft pick Manny Machado this week, I asked him his reaction to being named baseball's 14th best prospect by Baseball America.
"It's an honor to be ranked that high, but I really don't look into the rankings. If I'm No. 1 or No. 100, I just want to give 110 percent and be the best at what I do," Machado said.
The 18-year-old shortstop from Miami is about to begin his first full season with the Orioles after playing nine games late last...
SARASOTA, Fla. - Brian Roberts didn't take the field for the pre-workout stretch and catch, and he was absent during infield drills.
Roberts continues to receive treatment on his neck. He told reporters yesterday that he hoped to get back on the field today or tomorrow.
Looks like today is out.
Cesar Izturis and Brendan Harris took grounders at second. Izturis looks every bit as smooth there as he did at short.
President of baseball operations Andy MacPhail said no further tests on...
SARASOTA, Fla. - One of Alfredo Simon's representatives sent out a text last night alerting reporters that there could be a positive development today in the reliever's case. Simon remains jailed in the Dominican Republic, and he was denied bail again yesterday.
It's the never-ending story.
Justin Duchscherer noted yesterday that his curveball was much better during his live BP session. One reason: Duchscherer is breaking in a new glove and he's had some trouble gripping the ball.
Things...
After a winter of workouts where he put on a few pounds to get stronger, shortstop Manny Machado describes himself as "super excited" for his first full season with the Orioles.
Machado, the third pick in round one of last June's draft, spent time working out this winter near his Miami home where his workout partners sometimes included the Yankees' Alex Rodriguez.
"This whole winter I've been here in Miami working out at the University of Miami with my trainer, Monica Swasey," Machado...
SARASOTA, Fla. - Derrek Lee will take batting practice off one of the coaches later this morning, after the Orioles hold another series of meetings that caused the clubhouse to close to the media 30 minutes earlier than usual.
Lee has been hitting soft tosses in the indoor cage. He's also stepped to the plate during live batting practice with instructions to not swing the bat.
You can tell it's been tough for him. He wants to take some hacks, but he's being cautious after having surgery in...
SARASOTA, Fla. - According to this report, Orioles reliever Alfredo Simon remains in police custody in the Dominican Republic after he was again denied bail today.
Frank Robinson stood underneath his No. 20 that's mounted on Hall of Fame row in the clubhouse and addressed the team before today's workout.
"He obviously can command a room," manager Buck Showalter said. "He's been in front of players for quite a while. You can tell he has a real affinity for the Orioles."
"The guy's...