Wrapping up the ninth day of workouts

SARASOTA, Fla. - Manager Buck Showalter still is deciding between Mike Wright and Tyler Wilson as Tuesday's starter in the first exhibition game against the Braves in Lake Buena Vista. They're both going to pitch.

Yovani Gallardo threw his fastball, breaking ball and changeup in today's bullpen session.

"He felt good," Showalter said. "He's going to take two days off and do it again."

The Orioles will keep Gallardo on a schedule for now where he takes two days off between throwing.

"Just to not get ahead of ourselves," Showalter said.

Adam Jones took infield today - that's what it's called for outfielders, too - for the first time.

"Just some of the stuff that was bothering him toward the end of the year, we're just taking it slow," Showalter said.

The only hit in today's scoreless intrasquad game was an infield single by Ryan Flaherty, who started at third base for the home team.

Flaherty got a hit and reliever Chaz Roe got bruised.

The ball nailed Roe inside the left knee on his final pitch before reaching his limit.

"It's all right," he said. "It hit mostly meat instead of bone. It's stiffening up on me a little bit right now. We'll see how it is in the morning and go from there."

It's never a good time to have a baseball slam off your knee. It's especially frustrating when it happens in an intrasquad game.

Scary moment?

"Absolutely," Roe said. "I'm just glad it didn't get me right on the bone. It would have hurt. But it caught mostly meat. It's doing all right now and we'll see how it is in the morning."

Left-hander Chris Lee, who threw to hitters yesterday, has a blister on his finger. It doesn't seem to be much of a concern, but he's on the medical report.

Mychal Givens Orioles.jpgMychal Givens showed off his defensive skills today by snaring Trey Mancini's scorching liner up the middle. Made it look routine.

"Givens said the glove was new. It was broke in after he caught it," Showalter said.

Andrew Triggs was the most impressive Oriole today with his five recorded outs, including three strikeouts. His first 10 pitches were strikes. He finished with 13 strikes among his 15 pitches.

Triggs, 26, posted a 1.03 ERA and 0.87 WHIP in 43 appearances at Double-A Bowie. Opponents batted .196 against him.

He earned a spot on the 40-man roster.

"He's an interesting guy," Showalter said. "He's got a presentation that you can use. We know how tough he can be on right-handers, but he came along against left-handed hitters. Interesting. Real sharp guy. Seems to have a pretty good baseball IQ. And he's way over there on the rubber, almost off of it. It's a tough look for a right-hander, a really tough look. Late breaking ball. We'll see."

Odrisamer Despaigne threw 19 pitches, the most of anyone, while striking out Nolan Reimold looking and Christian Walker swinging and walking Henry Urrutia. He retired Paul Janish on a ground ball.

"Despaigne will throw the kitchen sink at you," Showalter said.

Rule 5 pick Joey Rickard struck out twice, reached on an error and swiped second base. He led off and played center field for the home team.

"It's early," Showalter said. "I can tell you what we thought he might be or become. He's a guy that's really started to come into his own last year. Athletic guy who runs well, a baseball player. Can defend. We'll see if it carries out."

Showalter made another comparison between Rickard and David Lough as far as having the ability to back up all three outfield positions. Rickard may have more power. The Orioles are hoping he can steal more bases.

"It's like it started coming on the last year and a half if you look at where he was and all of a sudden where he's kind of going," Showalter said. "You're intrigued by whether you're catching him at the right time. Real athletic guy, real engaging. He's been impressive. Glad we took him."

The Orioles need to make a decision on Rickard and will give him plenty of at-bats. He's going to be a regular presence on the travel roster.

"He's going to need a couple pair of gray pants. I can tell you that," Showalter said. "Especially if he slides a lot."

Showalter said the Orioles could carry two extra outfielders on their bench despite having Mark Trumbo on the roster. It depends on the structure of the club. Flaherty also can play the outfield, as Showalter reminded the media.

More of the regulars will play in Sunday's intrasquad game at Ed Smith Stadium.

"I think we'll get everybody's feet wet tomorrow," he said. "Didn't want them to play two intrasquad games in a row, so you'll see a lot of the guys you expect to see tomorrow."

Despaigne Throws Tall.pngOdrisamer Despaigne throws during Saturday's intrasquad game, which ended in a scoreless tie.

Buck Through Fence Tall.jpgManager Buck Showalter gets a good view of the end of the intrasquad game.




This is not your father's American League East
Instrasquad game ends in scoreless tie
 

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