Two games and more cuts are coming for Orioles

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are playing two games today at the same time, leaving me to chose between the Ed Smith Stadium complex and Dunedin.

Give me a half-second to decide.

I'll be watching Miguel Gonzalez in Sarasota. The Twins are countering with Ricky Nolasco. I'll watch him, too.

Gonzalez has allowed six runs in 12 2/3 innings, with no walks and 11 strikeouts. He'll try to complete five innings today.

Ubaldo Jimenez makes his sixth start, all of them on the road. The Blue Jays are sending left-hander Mark Buerhle to the mound.

Jimenez tossed five scoreless innings in his most recent outing against the Pirates in Bradenton. He's walked one batter in his last 13 innings, and if he continues to throw strikes and get hitters out, Ramon Martinez should join brother Pedro in Cooperstown.

Manager Buck Showalter said he might drive over to Dunedin to watch Jimenez pitch, which would leave bench coach John Russell to serve as manager in Sarasota. Showalter's also got cuts to make, perhaps as many as seven or eight.

The Orioles aren't ready to make a final decision on Rule 5 pitchers Logan Verrett and Jason Garcia. They've got a tough one coming with Ryan Webb, who's out of options, and Nolan Reimold, who's batting .303 with a .415 on-base percentage and has a July opt-out in his minor league contract. In the meantime, Chaz Roe figures to be reassigned to the Twin Lakes Park complex.

Outfielder Dariel Alvarez also is expected to be reassigned, and the same fate could be awaiting Chris Parmelee, who's impressed Showalter with his defense at first base. A catcher also could be removed, and J.P. Arencibia may be the most vulnerable at this point. He's trying to return from a strained right flexor mass and might play today in one of the split-squad games.

Shortstop J.J. Hardy won't play while nursing a sore left shoulder - his MRA is scheduled for Monday - and Showalter may need to hold onto his extra infielders until determining the three-time Gold Glove winner's status. Otherwise, Paul Janish and Jayson Nix could be reassigned.

Who would replace Hardy if he's lost for an extended period?

Everth Cabrera is most comfortable at shortstop, but Showalter referred to him only as "a candidate." Cabrera went 1-for-2 with two walks yesterday, but he's only 9-for-37 (.243) with one stolen base this spring. Has he done enough to warrant a roster spot, let alone a starting job?

I like Cabrera's speed, a much-needed dimension on this club, but it's mostly been kept under wraps. He has two doubles and a triple. We've seen flashes of it. But I've been told that it's blinding.

Replacing Hardy with Cabrera would seem to make the most sense, but the Orioles have other options.

Ryan Flaherty also can play short, and Showalter has been raving about Janish's defense, though he's been limited to five games following surgery to remove bone chips from his right elbow.

Let's not forget how Showalter said over the winter that he'd be willing to move Manny Machado to shortstop this season if Hardy were injured. However, Showalter isn't in a rush to remove a Platinum Glove winner from third base.

Now that we're beginning a new week, Chris Tillman will be announced as the opening day starter. It's coming within the next few days, which gives you more time to practice your shocked face.

Tillman told reporters after his last start in Lakeland that his agent and the Orioles agreed to halt negotiations on a contract extension at the end of spring training. Tillman has two years of arbitration eligibility remaining, so there's no reason to panic. He's not a pending free agent. However, it would be nice to get him locked up, especially with the rotation potentially losing Wei-Yin Chen and Bud Norris following the season.

The sides began talking about an extension in December and discussions have resumed, but there's still a lot of work to be done.