SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter made a couple of veiled (and comical) references to the Yovani Gallardo physical today while meeting with reporters and other assorted media. He didn't address it specifically. It was the elephant in the room.
Showalter isn't going to say much about Gallardo until he's on the team. Gallardo won't attend tonight's meeting unless he passes the physical, and there's some doubt that it's going to happen.
There's been a strange vibe in camp all day, with rumors circulating early that the Orioles held some concerns about the results of Gallardo's physical. They picked up steam in the afternoon, with the Orioles apparently ordering more tests after reviewing an MRI.
The club was prepared to set up Gallardo's locker, but it remains empty.
Showalter was asked about the Orioles re-signing Chris Davis and Darren O'Day and keeping their own guys in the organization.
"We knew in the physicals what we were going to find," he said, "and that's not a segue."
A smile creased Showalter's face. We saw what he did there.
Update: The Orioles are hoping to receive the results Wednesday of the additional tests performed on Gallardo. It's believed that they're checking his shoulder, but the club isn't commenting.
Meanwhile, Jeff Beliveau is the only pitcher who threw in the bullpen today. He mixed in some breaking balls.
"He had an extra day in between," Showalter said. "I'm intrigued by him, if we can get him healthy. He's an option sometime in May, or earlier. Try not to get too fast with him."
Pitchers will throw in the cage Wednesday during the first full-squad workout. Hitters will track pitchers.
The forecast is calling for rain, so the Orioles may need to move indoors.
Showalter indicated that third baseman Manny Machado won't play 162 games again this season.
"He won't. Cal's not in jeopardy," Showalter said. "When it happens, I'm not going to critique it, but I don't see it. There won't be some fanfare.
"It's something he should be very proud of last year because it doesn't happen much in our game and won't happen much more in the future. I think you're going to see less and less and less of it because it's been shown as you get older, it's probably not a productive thing.
"I'd like to do that more with (Adam) this year if I can."
Showalter also noted that Dylan Bundy's arm was a lot looser yesterday, with better extension in the back.
"You know, one of the things that's happened through this is he's developed an above-average changeup through the injury challenges that he's had," Showalter said. "He's always had a decent one, but it's a weapon for him now. He's got the stuff one day to start, to get back to that, but we've got to go through step one first."
Double-A Bowie manager Gary Kendall is headed to Twin Lakes Park to run the minor league minicamp.
Former major league first baseman Hee-Seop Choi, a native of South Korea, visited the Ed Smith Stadium complex this morning and shook hands with Hyun Soo Kim. Choi will serve as a coach in minor league camp, the first time he's worked as an instructor, before returning home.
The Orioles hosted two coaches last year from the Kia Tigers of the Korean Baseball Organization and are doing the same with Choi this spring.
"I think what they're trying to do is introduce them to American baseball and kind of help advance their coaching careers," said director of minor league operations Kent Qualls, who showed Choi around the complex. "They contacted us this winter about Hee-Seop Choi starting his coaching career and coming to minor league camp with us, and this year they added an athletic trainer as part of this process, too."
Choi batted .240/.349/.437 in four seasons with the Cubs, Marlins and Dodgers from 2002-2005. Orioles third base coach Bobby Dickerson managed Choi in the Cubs system.
The flagship station of the Orioles Radio Network, 105.7 The Fan, will broadcast 12 exhibition games this spring. The schedule includes the April 1 game against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park:
Wednesday, March 2 vs. Atlanta Braves, 1:05 p.m.
Friday, March 4 at Toronto Blue Jays, 1:07 p.m.
Saturday, March 5 vs. Tampa Bay Rays, 7:05 p.m.
Sunday, March 6 at Boston Red Sox, 1:05 p.m.
Tuesday, March 8 vs. Boston Red Sox, 1:05 p.m.
Monday, March 14 vs. Philadelphia, 1:05 p.m.
Saturday, March 19 at Tampa Bay Rays, 1:05 p.m.
Sunday, March 20 vs. Tampa Bay Rays, 1:05 p.m.
Wednesday, March 23 at Pittsburgh Pirates, 1:05 p.m.
Wednesday, March 30 vs. Detroit Tigers, 6:05 p.m.
Thursday, March 31 vs. Atlanta Braves, 3:05 p.m.
Friday, April 1 at Philadelphia Phillies, 6:05 p.m.
105.7 The Fan will broadcast all 162 regular season games. Joe Angel returns for his 17th season and will be joined by Jim Hunter for most games. Fred Manfra returns for his 24th season and will call select games.
Former Orioles pitcher Ben McDonald and MASN broadcaster and former Orioles shortstop Mike Bordick will also join the radio broadcast team to provide analysis for several games this season.
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