Smith atop the order, O'Day and Miley health updates and more

Seth Smith wasn't given a warning from manager Buck Showalter about batting leadoff on opening day. He checked the lineup card posted outside the clubhouse and returned to his locker.

"We didn't have a conversation about it," Smith said. "but when I've been able to play this spring, it's really the only place I've hit, so I kind of assumed that it was a good possibility."

Smith has batted leadoff in 80 games over his 10-year career, so it's not uncharted territory. And it doesn't affect his approach at the plate.

"It really doesn't," he said. "Honestly, the only difference is just in the first inning you've got to be ready to hit sooner and you don't have time to feel out the pitcher. You're the first guy thrown in there. But after the first at-bat it's just kind of rolling with the lineup."

Smith doesn't think there's any significance to being the leadoff hitter at home in the first game with his new team.

"It's opening day with a new team regardless of where I was hitting," he said. "It would be the same feelings."

The Blue Jays are starting left-hander J.A. Happ on Wednesday, which will push Smith to the bench and put someone else atop the order, the prime candidates being Joey Rickard and Craig Gentry.

Showalter said he chose Smith today because "it kind of worked out best for today if you look at some of the matchups."

"We've got some options," Showalter said. "We'll see where it goes. I think he's got a chance to do a good job for us there, as some other people do.

"We're fortunate to have a team where ego isn't driven by batting orders and stuff. They really don't care. I think there's a real trust there. We're going to do what's best for the team. We'll start out with Seth there and hope it evolves. We also like our pieces against a left-handed starter.

"We've got, what, 14 to pick from? That's nice to say. I hope we can hold onto that. It's nice to have an eight-man bullpen and five-man bench."

Left-hander Wade Miley said he feels great, his bout with the flu in the past, and he's slated to pitch a simulated game Tuesday at Double-A Bowie. Miley is expected to come off the disabled list to start April 9 against the Yankees at Camden Yards.

"I feel fine right now," he said. "It's just a matter of getting my pitch count in a better position, get it up a little bit. That way, we're not putting the bullpen at risk, especially this early in the year. So, to be able to go out there and get to 100 pitches is pretty important."

The Orioles want Miley to get five or six "ups" at Bowie.

"I think if everything goes smoothly, I'll be ready," he said.

Reliever Darren O'Day, who's had the flu since Thursday, said he feels better today. Showalter said O'Day is "physically active and available to us as we see fit."

Showalter isn't going to let the opposition know if someone on the roster can't play or pitch.

Trey Mancini had his No. 16 jersey hanging in his locker, but No. 67 still on his nameplate. It's being corrected.

Mancini said he wore No. 16 from the time he was 10 years old through high school. He wore 3 at Notre Dame because a coach already had 16, and his number kept changing through the minors.

In other words, Mancini isn't attached to any number, but we joked that his first o-fer will lead him to change back to 67.

For the Blue Jays
Devon Travis 2B
Josh Donaldson 3B
José Bautista RF
Kendrys Morales DH
Troy Tulowitzki SS
Russell Martin C
Steve Pearce 1B
Kevin Pillar CF
Ezequiel Carrera LF

Marco Estrada RHP