Miguel Tejada already is taking ground balls at third base about 30 minutes before players are required to be outside. Juan Samuel is hitting him grounders, much sharper than yesterday's three-hoppers, and Tejada is making the throws to second. Yesterday, players stationed at third base just flipped the ball into foul territory. Chris Tillman is still scheduled to throw in the bullpen today. His back didn't stiffen up during the night. Brad Bergesen will throw off flat ground again...

Chris Tillman just completed his bullpen session, which lasted about 12 minutes and included a brief interruption and consultation from pitching coach Rick Kranitz. Tillman was throwing free and easy, and his velocity looked good. He also mixed in his changeup. Afterward, he said that he didn't feel his back at all. The other pitchers who threw alongside Tillman on the extended mound moved to the next field for live batting practice, beginning with closer Mike Gonzalez. Meanwhile, Miguel...

Chris Tillman said he threw "everything" today except his back (OK, that's my line) and was "shocked" at how good he felt on the mound. "It took a lot to hold back. I wanted to go 100 percent, but at the same time I had to hold myself back," he said. "Everything felt good. Obviously, it felt like I hadn't played catch in three days, but other than that, everything felt good and looked good. Kranny said my delivery looked nice and smooth." Tillman will rest tomorrow and throw a...

I mentioned earlier today that Nick Markakis was bunting inside one of the netted batting cages set up between practice fields. His teammates are doing the exact same thing, because the drill has been implemented as one of the new stations in camp. "That's one of the rotations," manager Dave Trembley said. "There's five rotations out here, and either you get it first or you get it through the five.

Brad Bergesen hopes to throw once more on flat ground before taking the mound on Saturday, but manager Dave Trembley might push back that first bullpen session until Monday. Trembley is toying with the idea of having Bergesen throw on flat ground tomorrow and Saturday. "He's wrestling with me on that one," Trembley said. "He really has done remarkably well. He's going to be fine. We have lots of time to get him right back in where he should be and to get his pitches up." Jeremy Guthrie...

I sort of tiptoed into an interview with outfielder Lou Montanez this morning, and not because he's unapproachable or my shoes didn't fit properly. I was trying to gauge whether Montanez viewed the roster the same way as everyone else. He's an outfielder on a team that includes Nick Markakis, Adam Jones, Nolan Reimold, Felix Pie and Luke Scott. He still has a minor league option remaining. For his eye exam, the Orioles could have made him read the writing on the wall. "I know there's...

The clubhouse is closed to the media again this morning because the players have a meeting - on media training. Cue the scene from Bull Durham. "I'm just happy to be here." "I want to help the team anyway I can." "I give 100 percent every time I'm out there." "I'll just take it one game at a time." (Bonus Quote): "I'll just take it one game at a time, and whatever happens happens." The games haven't started yet, but Brandon Erbe has been one of the most impressive pitchers...

Not having pre-workout clubhouse access has left my notebook looking pretty bare. Maybe that's a good thing, since I only have a few clean pages left. Brad Bergesen threw on flat ground, though Christopher Columbus would disagree about the "flat" part. His arm remains attached to his shoulder. And I'm getting pretty attached to Bergesen after checking on his health and throwing schedule every single day. Players took part in a baserunning drill before splitting up into different groups....

And I don't mean the redness on my wind-burned face. Koji Uehara threw live batting practice earlier today. All fastballs. He did some running afterward with his trainer. John Shelby is leading the bunting drills inside one of the netted batting cages. At one point, Shelby instructed Robert Andino to keep his balance and yelled encouragement. Andino figures to be one of the players who will be called upon to advance a runner. Three of the fields were set up for live BP. Manager Dave...

Brad Bergesen will have another flat-ground session on Saturday and is slated to take the mound on Monday for his first bullpen session. Manager Dave Trembley indicated that Robert Andino would back up at second base if the Orioles needed an extended fill-in at the position. Andino also would back up at shortstop. Ty Wigginton is viewed as the backup at third base and first base, and could move to left field. The middle infield spots belong to Andino. In case anyone thought Trembley might...