SARASOTA, Fla. - Don't read too much into it, but manager Buck Showalter has chosen Brad Bergesen to start the first exhibition game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Feb. 28 in Bradenton.
Chris Tillman will follow Bergesen to the mound. They'll each go two or three innings.
Showalter will mostly use his relievers for the intrasquad game that will be played the previous day at the Ed Smith Stadium complex.
Jeremy Guthrie is expected to be the opening day starter at Tropicana Field, which...
SARASOTA, Fla. - The reviews keep pouring in, and it's apparent that manager Buck Showalter's inspirational film is a huge hit with his players.
Showalter took his team to a local movie theater last night after everyone gathered at Ed Smith Stadium for a pre-workout meeting. They were treated to a short video that included highlights of past and present players, and a sold-out Camden Yards.
Just a reminder of what it was like, and what it could be again.
"It was awesome. It was off the...
SARASOTA, Fla. - Derrek Lee still has soft hands around first base, fielding the ball cleanly and effortlessly. We'll evaluate his range once the games begin.
Lee and Jake Fox took grounders at first and worked on executing the 3-6-3 double play.
Mark Reynolds and Brendan Harris took grounders at third, J.J. Hardy and Nick Green at shortstop and Brian Roberts and Cesar Izturis at second. Harris, Green and Izturis will move around the infield.
Vladimir Guerrero's first round of batting...
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles took the field to stretch around 11:40 a.m. They paired up to play catch and currently are participating in fielding drills.
Bobby Dickerson was hitting fly balls to Luke Scott and Randy Winn in left field. Scott showed off an accurate arm.
Vladimir Guerrero spent the first part of the workout kneeling beside Rudy Arias after doing some long tossing. He later joined a cluster of outfielders and shagged fly balls from first base coach Wayne Kirby.
See what you're...
SARASOTA, Fla. - Nick Markakis reported to camp yesterday afternoon, and Pedro Florimon finally arrived to complete the spring training roster.
Last but not least...
The only no-show is pitcher Alfredo Simon, and he was already marked absent and placed on the restricted list.
The first full-squad workout begins around noon, though manager Buck Showalter indicated yesterday that players will be eased into activities today after undergoing physicals, and dental and vision examinations.
SARASOTA, Fla. - Just a reminder that the clubhouse is closed to the media this morning while the Orioles conduct physicals, and dental and vision exams. They're expected to take the field around noon for the first full-squad workout.
Perhaps Vladimir Guerrero will step into the cage and take batting practice in full view of his teammates, fans and the media. And I can provide the latest facial-hair update. No day is complete without one.
Ryan Adams, the Orioles' second-round pick in 2006,...
SARASOTA, Fla. - I wanted to pass along a few more items before I pack up my laptop and head out of here.
Manager Buck Showalter is still leaning toward batting Derrek Lee third and Vladimir Guerrero fourth. It isn't written in ink, but that's the assumed order. And that's fine with both of them.
Lee continues to hit soft tosses in the indoor cage. He could be ready for live batting practice in a week while recovering from thumb surgery.
Guerrero also has been hitting indoors. I've seen...
SARASOTA, Fla. -The Orioles will modify pitcher Luis Lebron's throwing program by keeping him on flat ground, rather than having him participate in the usual bullpen sessions.
Lebron underwent ligament-reconstructive surgery on his right elbow in May, and manager Buck Showalter wants to make sure he doesn't push himself while attempting to keep up with the other pitchers in camp. Lebron has thrown two sides sessions since pitchers and catchers reported last weekend.
"It's not a setback....
SARASOTA, Fla. - Most of the pitchers have come off the field and are in the weight room or eating lunch at their lockers. A group of position players are taking batting practice on the back fields.
Luke Scott has trimmed his beard. He'll have to shave it off tomorrow morning.
Vladimir Guerrero is still sporting his goatee. We'll see whether he shaves it off tomorrow morning.
We're still waiting to see Guerrero hit on the field.
Left-hander Alberto Castillo is on the minor league side of...
SARASOTA, Fla. - It's a slow day at camp, with positions players not required to be here until 6 p.m. and pitchers not throwing off a mound. I've been reduced to coming up with titles that really have nothing to do with this entry, though I reference shortstop J.J. Hardy if you continue reading.
Nick Markakis and Pedro Florimon are the only players who haven't reported. Markakis is in Sarasota and will be here later this afternoon. We have no idea about Florimon.
I haven't heard a single...
SARASOTA, Fla. - We've wrapped up another workout day here in sunny Sarasota, where the back of your neck becomes hot enough to fry bacon.
Right fielder Nick Markakis hasn't reported to camp, but he's in town. Nothing to worry about.
Minor league infielder Pedro Florimon is the only real no-show. If you've seen him, please point him in the general direction of Ed Smith Stadium.
Brad Bergesen threw a bullpen session after being sent back to the team hotel yesterday with virus-like...
SARASOTA, Fla. - First baseman Derrek Lee reported to camp today and hit some soft tosses in the indoor cage. He'll be ready to face live pitching in a week or so as he continues to recover from thumb surgery.
"It's getting much better," he said. "I'm up to soft toss now, which is actually ahead of schedule."
Lee signed a one-year, $7.5 million deal after the Orioles made offers to Victor Martinez, Adam Dunn and Adam LaRoche. He's projected to hit third ahead of Vladimir...
SARASOTA, Fla. - Derrek Lee hit in the indoor cage today.
Felix Pie played catch this morning with new teammate Vladimir Guerrero, the future Hall of Famer who could cost him the starting job in left field.
No hard feelings, I suppose.
Luke Scott is expected to play left field while Guerrero serves as the full-time designated hitter. Pie, who set career highs last year in average (.274), hits (79), runs (39), doubles (15), triples (five) and RBIs (31), might have to settle for a reserve...
SARASOTA, Fla. - Derrek Lee has reported to camp. He might wait until tomorrow to take his first swings.
The signing of Vladimir Guerrero could push Nolan Reimold off the 25-man roster and down to Triple-A Norfolk, but he's digging in his heels this spring. He's reported to camp in much better condition, both physically and mentally, and intends to pose a serious challenge for the left field job or reserve duty.
"I feel really good. I feel strong, I feel healthy and ready to go," he said...
SARASOTA, Fla. - Luke Scott has reported to camp, wearing a full beard and telling hunting stories.
Scott's locker is next to Vladimir Guerrero, the brooding slugger. It's an interesting arrangement.
Guerrero better get used to smiling and nodding his head a lot.
Double-A infielder Ryan Adams also is here, leaving Derrek Lee, Nick Markakis and Pedro Florimon as the only position players who haven't arrived.
Brad Bergesen is back after leaving yesterday because of an illness.
Guest...
SARASOTA, Fla. - Vladimir Guerrero relied on his agent, Fernando Cuza, to serve as an interpreter during his 20-minute press conference, but I'm sure he understood every word. He's been speaking English to teammates and team officials. He's just more comfortable dealing with the media in his native language.
Here are some comments from Guerrero, which came after he slipped on his white No. 27 jersey.
On whether his past success at Camden Yards, and the Orioles' surge under manager Buck...
SARASOTA, Fla. - Vladimir Guerrero wore his game face for most of his 20-minute press conference. He smiled once when asked whether he's carrying a chip on his shoulder, and laughed when the discussion turned to his reputation as one of the game's all-time best bad-ball hitters.
Guerrero didn't need a translator to understand that question.
"Since I was little, I've always swung at bad pitches," he said.
Manager Buck Showalter said he'd decide later whether to bat Guerrero third or...
SARASOTA, Fla. - Nolan Reimold reported to camp this afternoon. We're still waiting on Derrek Lee, Luke Scott, Nick Markakis, Ryan Adams and Pedro Florimon. Position players are required to be here on Sunday.
Pitcher Mitch Atkins is still dealing with a sore left oblique muscle. Starter Brad Bergesen went back to his hotel with virus-like symptoms.
Brian Matusz threw off a mound for the third time this spring. I wanted to pass along his comments while waiting for the Vladimir Guerrero...
SARASOTA, Fla. - Vladimir Guerrero played catch with Felix Pie on one of the back fields this morning and headed to the indoor cage to hit some balls off a tee.
Guerrero apparently will not hit outdoors today.
Also, for everyone who's obsessed with seeing Guerrero in his Orioles' uniform, he wore a black shirt and shorts on the field. No uniform. And keep in mind that players aren't donning the home whites here. They're wearing black and orange practice jerseys.
You've seen a similar...
SARASOTA, Fla. - Clubhouse manager Fred Tyler spent part of his morning sorting through batting helmets, trying to find one that fit Vladimir Guerrero's head.
Cesar Izturis, Felix Pie, Nick Green and Randy Winn reported to camp this morning, and Nick Markakis is expected to arrive later today. They'll also need helmets, but it won't be as interesting to watch.
Everything that Guerrero does draws the attention of teammates and reporters. Imagine what will happen once he picks up a bat...
