SARASOTA, Fla. - Robert Andino is taking his physical this morning and throwing his hat into the utility ring. With Cesar Izturis assured of making the club as the backup middle infielder, Andino will try to win a job as a reserve at the corners. He's never played first base, and his six career starts at third base came last season. "Just catch the ball," he said. "That's all it is. Just catch the ball." Andino didn't do it enough last year to impress former manager Dave Trembley, and...

The Orioles have announced the schedules for their minor league spring training squads. The clubs will play 16 spring training contests. Minor league pitchers and catchers will report to camp in Sarasota on Sunday, March 6, while position players will report on Thursday, March 10. There will be four games each day with a Triple-A, Double-A and two Single-A games with the two O's higher level squads playing at one site and the two lower level clubs at another. If the higher level teams are...

SARASOTA, Fla. - What makes a good bullpen session? As a friend and former colleague pointed out, it's whenever the catcher walks up to the pitcher afterward and shakes his hand. No injury, no problem. Jeremy Guthrie completed his second session here in Sarasota without a hitch or a glitch. He mixed in a fastball, curveball and changeup, and Jake Fox shook his hand in between the mound and the plate. It's common for the two participants to meet in the middle. Guthrie will incorporate his...

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...

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...

While waiting to see how distracted Albert Pujols will be waiting for the all the money his next contract will provide, I took some time to watch the video of Adam Jones' appearance on ESPN's "First Take." What, ESPN covered the Orioles? Yep, Adam was in Bristol this week. Click here to see that video. (Yeah, I'm slow getting around to see this, guess I was distracted.). "We're going to go out and play hard and the sky's the limit really because I think everybody is optimistic about...

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....

Circle Saturday, March 5 on your calendar. That's the day the Orioles will hold tryouts for ballgirls and ballboys for the upcoming 2011 season. Outgoing and athletic men and women 18 and older are invited to try out at Camden Yards beginning at noon. Dress casually, bring your own glove and use the Home Plate Plaza entrance on the southwest corner of the ballpark to enter the stadium. Resumes are recommended, and complimentary parking will be available in Lot A. Handling a glove and...

The Orioles have announced they will conduct an open tryout to find ballgirls and ballboys for the 2011 season at Oriole Park on Saturday, March 5. The judges will include members of the Orioles' front office as well as former Orioles pitcher and MASN broadcaster DAVE JOHNSON. Outgoing and athletic men and women ages 18 and older who are interested in serving as ballboys and ballgirls for the Orioles during the upcoming 2011 season are invited to try out for a position at Camden Yards...

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,...