And I don't mean the redness on my wind-burned face. Koji Uehara threw live batting practice earlier today. All fastballs. He did some running afterward with his trainer. John Shelby is leading the bunting drills inside one of the netted batting cages. At one point, Shelby instructed Robert Andino to keep his balance and yelled encouragement. Andino figures to be one of the players who will be called upon to advance a runner. Three of the fields were set up for live BP. Manager Dave...

Brad Bergesen will have another flat-ground session on Saturday and is slated to take the mound on Monday for his first bullpen session. Manager Dave Trembley indicated that Robert Andino would back up at second base if the Orioles needed an extended fill-in at the position. Andino also would back up at shortstop. Ty Wigginton is viewed as the backup at third base and first base, and could move to left field. The middle infield spots belong to Andino. In case anyone thought Trembley might...

The Orioles haven't set a firm date for second baseman Brian Roberts to take live batting practice. He's hoping to step into the cage next week. Roberts continues to hit off a tee and soft toss. Chris Tillman still is slated to throw live batting practice tomorrow. The cold air didn't do his back any favors today, but he keeps insisting that he's fine and the mild tightness is nothing to worry about. Manager Dave Trembley was impressed with the finish on Koji Uehara's pitches today and...

The spring training radio scheduled has been released. Check it out. The following exhibition games will air on 105.7 The Fan, beginning with the March 3 opener against the Tampa Bay Rays: Wednesday, March 3 at 1:05 - Tampa Bay Rays Friday, March 5 at 7:05 - Pittsburgh Pirates Sunday, March 7 at 1:05 - Boston Red Sox Monday, March 8 at 1:05 - Minnesota Twins Tuesday, March 9 at 1:05 - Tampa Bay Rays Wednesday, March 17 at 1:05 - Toronto Blue Jays Tuesday, March 23 at 1:05 - Florida...

Orioles pitcher Brad Bergesen has been cleared to throw off a mound Saturday for the first time since injuring his shoulder during a commercial shoot two months ago. The Orioles had considered scheduling a third flat-ground session for Bergesen before clearing him for a bullpen session on Monday, but the right-hander has made significant progress and apparently is ahead of schedule. Bergesen has been saying all along that he felt better each time he's thrown and had no worries about...

I've been dealing with laptop issues on and off since yesterday afternoon and the wireless wasn't working in the media trailer this morning. The blogging gods are conspiring against me. But we're back up and ready to roll. The clubhouse closed to the media 15 minutes early because the players have a nutrition meeting. Unlike previous years at Fort Lauderdale Stadium, the club didn't leave a box of donuts sitting on a table. Chris Tillman is still scheduled to throw live batting practice...

The Orioles have instructed Brandon Snyder to confine his work to first base this spring, rather than go back and forth between the two infield corners. Snyder was drafted as a catcher, but he also played 10 games at third base during his first professional season. He became a full-time third baseman after undergoing surgery on his left shoulder on Aug. 2006 - many people mistakenly think it was his right - but the Orioles moved him again. Snyder will stay planted at first base for now, which...

My laptop issues have gotten a lot worse. I'm ready to pull a sheet over its head. I'm emailing this entry to the MASN WebStudio via my BlackBerry. I can't get to your comments, so someone else will have to move them. Hold those questions. Chris Tillman threw live batting practice earlier today. "He's ready to go," pitching coach Rick Kranitz said. Tillman could pitch in Monday's intrasquad game. Reliever Jim Johnson is expected to pitch in that game. Otherwise, it will mostly be...

Maybe that last virus scan worked. I'm actually writing this blog entry from my laptop, which apparently has forgiven me for all the nasty things I said about it. It's still a little weird between us. And we said it wouldn't get weird. Chris Tillman, Jim Johnson and Jake Arrieta are slated to pitch one inning in Monday's intrasquad game. Fourteen pitchers will be used - seven on each side - and manager Dave Trembley will reveal his list tomorrow. Tillman was encouraged by the way he...

Manager Dave Trembley said he'll move around some players in Monday's intrasquad game. Robert Andino, for instance, is expected to shift over to second base. The regulars will play three innings and get an at-bat before substitutions are made. The game is open to the public for a small donation to the Sarasota Boys and Girls Club. It also will give us a chance to check out Ed Smith Stadium, since all of the workouts take place on the back fields. Here's a Trembley quote about Brian...