Orioles preparing for two games today in latest scheduling challenge

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles haven't been allowed to ease into their exhibition schedule this spring.

Rather than stick their toe in the water, they basically have to get a running start and cannonball into the pool.

The first day required a trip to Lakeland to play the Tigers. The Orioles already have split-squad games on tap today against the Rays in Port Charlotte and the Blue Jays in Sarasota, and they travel to Dunedin on Friday.

If they had to rate their least favorite trips on the schedule, Lakeland and Dunedin might be 1 and 1A - if not for the March 22 game against the Cardinals in Jupiter. Nice area and ballpark, for sure, but it's quite a haul to south Florida.

The clubhouse opens to the media today at 8 a.m. and again at 2 p.m. Veterans playing in the home night game will report later.

I'm faced with the usual spring quandary of trying to be in two places at once, which never seems to work. I can't make the Port Charlotte trip for a 1 p.m. game and get back in an hour for the second round of clubhouse access.

Forced to make a choice, it seems more important to be at the Ed Smith Stadium complex this afternoon while tracking Wei-Yin Chen's start online. The beauty of the Internet. But I reserve the right to change my mind.

Manny Machado wasn't available to reporters after yesterday's 5-4 loss to the Tigers, so he can expect a gathering at his locker later today to get his thoughts on playing for the first time since August.

Steve Johnson was supposed to pitch yesterday, but he requested another work day before debuting this spring. Not a bad idea to check on him.

Does Steve Clevenger get a start in one of the split-squad games? He replaced J.P. Arencibia Tuesday in Lakeland and pinch-hit for Brian Ward yesterday, grounding into a double play in the ninth inning before Jayson Nix's solo home run completed the scoring. Caleb Joseph started yesterday before Ward entered the game in the sixth inning.

Clevenger is waiting for his turn.

The Orioles announced yesterday that they hired Ramon Martinez as special assignment pitching instructor. Martinez will concentrate on developing Latin American pitchers throughout the organization.

Executive vice president Dan Duquette said the Orioles had been trying to hire Martinez since late December after learning that he would be available. Martinez had been working for the Dodgers.

The wheels may have been in motion a little earlier when Martinez and Orioles manager Buck Showalter were inducted into the Florida State League Hall of Fame.

"We were able to connect with him over there," Duquette said. "He's a former 20-game winner and he'll be an excellent role mode and resource for our young pitchers throughout the organization. He's bilingual and he has experience as a pitching coach."

Martinez also is a protege of Orioles pitching coach Dave Wallace from their days together in Los Angeles, "so he's got a real good fundamental background as a pitcher," Duquette said.

"He's got good work habits and he comes from a terrific family. He'll be a real asset helping our pitchers.

"Ramon was a real postive stabalizing influence on his brother. Pedro looked up to Ramon and he was able to improve. And if our pitchers follow Ramon's leadership, they will improve, too.

"He's a good hire. He's a good person and a good coach."