Harvey and Givens unable to throw due to illness (Milone update)

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles aren't worried about running out of innings for their pitchers in camp. They're more liable to run low on hand sanitizer.

Hunter Harvey and Mychal Givens didn't throw bullpen sessions in their respective groups this morning after reporting to camp with the same illness that's beginning to spread through the clubhouse.

Manager Brandon Hyde said both relievers were "a little under the weather" and left the complex.

"They came in yesterday not feeling real great," Hyde said. "Got checked out by a doctor and sent back home this morning. But think they're going to be OK. Got a little bug going around."

Both pitchers had side sessions on Wednesday and could try again on Saturday.

Catcher Pedro Severino hasn't been able to work out due to an illness. He showed up earlier this week wearing a mask to prevent the spreading of germs.

Asked if there are other precautions for players to take, Hyde smiled and said, "We're hand sanitizing."

"We have hand sanitizer everywhere and we talked a lot about good hygiene," he said. "Just one of those things that happen in camps where one guy that gets a little sick and it can spread, so we're trying to hopefully stop it there."

Hyde turned and coughed, as if on cue.

As members of the media took a few steps back, he quipped, "That's my new way."

The Orioles haven't announced the signing of left-hander Tommy Milone to a minor league contract because he has to take and pass his physical. Pitcher Chandler Shepherd's locker is empty now, with the right-hander moving across the hall to the minor league side.

Hyde said the addition of another starter - he didn't mention Milone by name - won't impact how the camp is set up for the others.

"It's all the same," Hyde said. "Nothing has changed from anybody else. We added a starter to try to win a job out of spring training and the plan for everybody else stays exactly the same."

jj-hardy-jump-red-sox.jpgThe club passed along the names of its six camp instructors and there were a few surprises, with former shortstop J.J. Hardy and outfielder/first baseman Jeff Conine coming to Sarasota.

"As soon as I got here last year, people were coming up to me a lot and saying how impactful J.J. Hardy was," Hyde said. "Players that have played with him, as well as clubhouse guys to our strength staff to anybody who's been around him talked really highly of his character and what kind of player and person he was in Baltimore.

"I only got to see him play from the other side. I don't know him personally. But he's going to be a big addition to our camp."

Hyde knows the story of Manny Machado staying at third base rather than pushing for a move to shortstop out of respect for Hardy.

"I have heard and read about some of the things Manny said about how much J.J. meant playing next to him and the things he learned coming up as a young player," Hyde said.

"I'm looking forward to getting to know him and I'm looking forward to him being around our guys. We have a lot of young and impressionable players and from everything everybody says, he's just a true pro and it's going to be fun bringing him into camp."

Hyde is more familiar with Conine from their years together in the Marlins organization.

"He was always in spring training with us in uniform," Hyde said. "Niner's a blue collar ... he was such a good player. He brings a lot of knowledge in the game. He played multiple positons - outfield, first base. He played a long time on good clubs, so I think you're bringing in a guy who was a winning player into camp here I just want our guys to soak up.

"He brings in a lot of great knowledge for our guys."

Other camp instructors announced today are Mike Bordick, Brian Roberts, Ben McDonald and Scott McGregor.

More position players have reported early, including infielder Renato Núñez and outfielders Mason Williams and Ryan McKenna.

McKenna is sporting a thick beard and said he hasn't fully shaved in "over a year."

Update: Milone passed his physical and his signing is official.

Hess-Warms-Spring.jpgDavid Hess warms up before today's Orioles workout at the Ed Smith Stadium complex.

Kremer-Throws-Spring.jpg

Dean Kremer throws a bullpen session at Orioles spring training in Sarasota, Fla.

Hitters-Stand-in-During-Pens-Spring.jpgHitters stand in as Orioles pitchers throw bullpen sessions at the Ed Smith Stadium complex.




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