FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Minnesota Twins are taking batting practice now while the Orioles gather in the visiting clubhouse at Hammond Stadium for their last road night game of the spring.
The Orioles still haven't named a starter for Thursday afternoon's game against the Tampa Bay Rays in Sarasota. It's Dylan Bundy or Kevin Gausman. I bet we can pry the answer out of manager Buck Showalter later this afternoon.
Bundy and Gausman were playing bumper billiards earlier today in the Orioles' clubhouse. In that game, both pitchers took their first shot at the same time. Can't read anything into it.
Jim Johnson, Darren O'Day and Mike Belfiore also are listed as pitchers for Thursday. Belfiore would have to come over from minor league camp.
Jeremy Hellickson is listed as the Rays' starter, but we've been told that Jeff Niemann is getting the assignment.
Zach Britton starts Friday against the Boston Red Sox's Clayton Mortenson in Sarasota. Jake Arrieta starts Saturday against the Toronto Blue Jays in Dunedin, and Steve Johnson starts Sunday against the Twins in Sarasota.
Sunday's split-squad game will air on MASN beginning at 1:05 p.m. The Orioles also will play the Philadelphia Phillies in Clearwater.
Update: Jason Hammel will start Sunday's split-squad game in Clearwater.
For the Twins:
Aaron Hicks CF
Brian Dozier 2B
Josh Willingham LF
Justin Morneau 1B
Ryan Doumit C
Chris Parmelee RF
Oswaldo Arcia DH
Eduardo Escobar 3B
Pedro Florimon SS
Kevin Correia RHP
The Orioles' travel roster today includes pitchers Troy Patton, Todd Redmond, Tim Bascom, Chris Petrini and Pat Egan; catchers Chris Robinson and Jose Gil; infielders Yamaico Navarro, Niuman Romero and Buck Britton; and outfielders Russ Canzler, Steve Pearce, Lew Ford, LJ Hoes and Kyle Hudson.
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