Because You Asked (spring training edition)

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are ready to dip into their Grapefruit League schedule with today's trip to Lakeland to play the Tigers. We've moved into a new phase of spring training. There are games and an actual opponent from outside the organization.

The mailbag is filling up and the repetition is the same in the south. You ask it, I answer it, you ask it again.

Let's get to a few of the more pressing questions.

Is practice open to the public?
It was. And it will be again next spring. Back fields.

Should we read anything into the intrasquad lineups?
Nothing at all. Even less than spring training lineups.

Is Jonathan Schoop a candidate to lead off?
Because he's done it in two intrasquad games? See above. Schoop laughed yesterday when I asked whether he was the new leadoff hitter. He shook his head and tried to come up with other candidates, though he did try to sell me on his speed. I wasn't buying it.

Who's leading off for the Orioles this season?
I'm detecting a pattern here. The topic came up again yesterday during a radio interview and I could only remind the host that the Orioles don't have a prototypical leadoff hitter penciled into their everyday lineup. Hyun Soo Kim could get a shot because he led the club in average and on-base percentage. Seth Smith owns a career .344 OBP and he walked twice yesterday. But manager Buck Showalter might have to platoon them with right-handed hitters. Joey Rickard, Michael Bourn and Craig Gentry would be considerations, but we don't know if they're making the team and none of them figure to be regulars. Maybe it's a game-to-game decision if Adam Jones really does move down in the order.

What are the odds that the Orioles sign Matt Wieters?
Severely reduced now that he's signed with the Nationals. And it's spelled ... oh.

You do realize that was an old question, right?
Assume nothing.

Why is Caleb Joseph still on this team?
Defense is a good starting point for any backup discussion. He handles a staff well, good arm, frames pitches. And he's not going to go the entire season without an RBI. Seriously, we need to move on from it.

Anyone stand out so far?
It's really early and you don't learn a whole lot from pitchers fielding practice, bullpen sessions and batting practice. However, everyone seems to be raving about Gentry, how "he's back" after injuries and concussion symptoms derailed his career. Jesús Liranzo isn't going to make the team out of spring training, but he could make his major league debut later this summer at 22. His fastball command, velocity and poise are the talk of camp. And Kim had two hits in two intrasquad games, including a double to right field off Dylan Bundy. The ball was smoked. I know it's only intrasquad, but he started out 0-for-23 in Grapefruit League games last spring.

How serious is J.J. Hardy's injury?
Anything involving the back is cause for concern, especially because Hardy has a history with it. But nothing serious showed up in his MRI, CT scan and bone scan. He received a cortisone injection yesterday, but that already was part of the plan. He still thinks he can make his Grapefruit League debut on March 10 and receive plenty of at-bats before opening day.

How serious is Chris Tillman's injury?
Anything involving the shoulder is cause for concern, especially because Tillman has a history with it. But he's long-tossing without any issues and told me that he feels like he could get hitters out right now. I'd expect Tillman to begin the season on the disabled list, but he could return on April 9 and we'll pretend it never happened.

How serious is Zach Britton's injury?
Anything involving the oblique is cause for concern, especially because Britton has no history with it. But he's feeling a little better every day and insists that he could pitch if it were the regular season. Showalter said the same thing - about Britton, I mean. There are still traces of discomfort in Britton's left side, so he's going to remain shut down. But again, there's plenty of time for Britton to get ready for the opener. Like he said, he isn't a starter and doesn't need 20 innings.

How many wild card game "jokes" were made after you wrote about Britton being scratched?
I'm still sorting through them. Might have to hire an assistant. But trust me when I say that none of them were original. But neither am I. This isn't my first mailbag.

Are the Orioles still considering making Dariel Álvarez a pitcher?
It's been discussed again. He played right field yesterday and singled off Darren O'Day, so he remains a position player. But let's see if he leaves camp as one. It would be a process, of course, and he'd probably have to start out in A ball at 28. The Orioles need to find out whether he's open to the idea. Has to surrender to it.

Is Welington Castillo bonding with the pitchers?
The guys I've talked to already seem pretty comfortable with him and have praised his work. Being away at the World Baseball Classic shouldn't be a major issue. Trying to frame Britton's pitches is another matter. Ever try lifting a bowling ball into the strike zone?

Are you walking to Lakeland?
Not intentionally.