The Orioles haven't set a firm date for second baseman Brian Roberts to take live batting practice. He's hoping to step into the cage next week. Roberts continues to hit off a tee and soft toss. Chris Tillman still is slated to throw live batting practice tomorrow. The cold air didn't do his back any favors today, but he keeps insisting that he's fine and the mild tightness is nothing to worry about. Manager Dave Trembley was impressed with the finish on Koji Uehara's pitches today and...

The spring training radio scheduled has been released. Check it out. The following exhibition games will air on 105.7 The Fan, beginning with the March 3 opener against the Tampa Bay Rays: Wednesday, March 3 at 1:05 - Tampa Bay Rays Friday, March 5 at 7:05 - Pittsburgh Pirates Sunday, March 7 at 1:05 - Boston Red Sox Monday, March 8 at 1:05 - Minnesota Twins Tuesday, March 9 at 1:05 - Tampa Bay Rays Wednesday, March 17 at 1:05 - Toronto Blue Jays Tuesday, March 23 at 1:05 - Florida...

Orioles pitcher Brad Bergesen has been cleared to throw off a mound Saturday for the first time since injuring his shoulder during a commercial shoot two months ago. The Orioles had considered scheduling a third flat-ground session for Bergesen before clearing him for a bullpen session on Monday, but the right-hander has made significant progress and apparently is ahead of schedule. Bergesen has been saying all along that he felt better each time he's thrown and had no worries about...

I've been dealing with laptop issues on and off since yesterday afternoon and the wireless wasn't working in the media trailer this morning. The blogging gods are conspiring against me. But we're back up and ready to roll. The clubhouse closed to the media 15 minutes early because the players have a nutrition meeting. Unlike previous years at Fort Lauderdale Stadium, the club didn't leave a box of donuts sitting on a table. Chris Tillman is still scheduled to throw live batting practice...

The Orioles have instructed Brandon Snyder to confine his work to first base this spring, rather than go back and forth between the two infield corners. Snyder was drafted as a catcher, but he also played 10 games at third base during his first professional season. He became a full-time third baseman after undergoing surgery on his left shoulder on Aug. 2006 - many people mistakenly think it was his right - but the Orioles moved him again. Snyder will stay planted at first base for now, which...

My laptop issues have gotten a lot worse. I'm ready to pull a sheet over its head. I'm emailing this entry to the MASN WebStudio via my BlackBerry. I can't get to your comments, so someone else will have to move them. Hold those questions. Chris Tillman threw live batting practice earlier today. "He's ready to go," pitching coach Rick Kranitz said. Tillman could pitch in Monday's intrasquad game. Reliever Jim Johnson is expected to pitch in that game. Otherwise, it will mostly be...

Maybe that last virus scan worked. I'm actually writing this blog entry from my laptop, which apparently has forgiven me for all the nasty things I said about it. It's still a little weird between us. And we said it wouldn't get weird. Chris Tillman, Jim Johnson and Jake Arrieta are slated to pitch one inning in Monday's intrasquad game. Fourteen pitchers will be used - seven on each side - and manager Dave Trembley will reveal his list tomorrow. Tillman was encouraged by the way he...

Manager Dave Trembley said he'll move around some players in Monday's intrasquad game. Robert Andino, for instance, is expected to shift over to second base. The regulars will play three innings and get an at-bat before substitutions are made. The game is open to the public for a small donation to the Sarasota Boys and Girls Club. It also will give us a chance to check out Ed Smith Stadium, since all of the workouts take place on the back fields. Here's a Trembley quote about Brian...

We found out yesterday that Robert Andino is regarded as the backup second baseman two weeks into camp. So who's the leadoff hitter if Brian Roberts doesn't play? I asked manager Dave Trembley, who didn't really have an answer for me. "I don't know yet," Trembley said. "I guess I'll try to take care of that when we start playing games on the days that Brian doesn't play. Obviously, there will be a different leadoff guy and that will be the time that I use to experiment with it and...

Biggest...reach...ever. We've been so preoccupied with every ground ball hit to Miguel Tejada at third base, we've practically overlooked Garrett Atkins at first. Atkins isn't a stranger to the position, but this is the first spring training where he's been anointed the starter on the right side. "I've just been taking ground balls and making some throws and getting used to my feet turning that way and making that throw to second," he said. "We've done some bunt plays, and it's a...