Notes on Means, Davis, Velazquez, Núñez, Mountcastle and more

NORTH PORT, Fla. - Left-hander John Means is going to start one of Tuesday's split-squad games, when the Orioles host the Rays and travel to Fort Myers to play the Red Sox. He won't be shielded from a division opponent in the first week of the exhibition schedule.

The Orioles are known to send pitchers to Twin Lakes Park or arrange simulated games as an alternative.

"It's definitely not ideal," manager Brandon Hyde said. "But our guys are only going to go a couple of innings, so I'm not too concerned about that. I don't want to line them up where they're going to face a division team multiple times. Once or twice is OK, but I don't think it's great the way we have it set up where we play a lot of AL East teams."

Means will be wearing the white or gray uniform pants on Tuesday.

"It's Red Sox or Rays and home or away," Hyde said.

First baseman Chris Davis will be in Sunday afternoon's lineup against the Red Sox in Sarasota. Left-hander Wade LeBlanc opposes Boston right-hander Chris Mazza.

Infielder Andrew Velazquez will be eased into games after reporting to camp yesterday.

"He got his physical done quick and got out on the field yesterday for a little while, so that was good to see him out there," Hyde said. "Talked to some Cleveland people. They spoke really highly of him. I'm going to give him a few days to kind of get acclimated. He hadn't played in I think five days before he got to us yesterday, so let him get some ground balls in and some BPs and then we'll see him out there in a few days."

Velazquez is the latest candidate for a super-utility role.

"I just think it's wide open," Hyde said. "The more positions that you can play the better. If you have the ability to play shortstop, that's a huge bonus. I think we'll see how the roster looks at the end. As we're putting the pieces together, you need an extra shortstop and you utility guys who offer different things.

"I know Andrew's got a ton of speed, he can steal bases. He's played center field in the past. All of those things are beneficial."

Hyde also mentioned Pat Valaika, twice claimed off waivers by the Orioles and most recently outrighted off the 40-man roster.

"There's positives to everybody's situation," Hyde said. "We'll just see how it kind of fits."

Hanser Alberto didn't play shortstop last season, but he'll get some innings at the position in spring training.

"You want to have guys prepared in case things happen during the season, which they usually do," Hyde said. "I'm going to continue to move guys around."

Renato Núñez is starting at third base today and will shift across the diamond while trying to increase his value.

"I'm going to play him a lot in spring training, give him every opportunity to continue to work on his defense," Hyde said. "And then at the end of camp we'll see how it goes."

Hyde said Ryan Mountcastle will mostly play left field and first base in camp. "Maybe a little bit of third."

He repeated that Mountcastle won't be auditioned at second base.

The Orioles brought pitchers Zack Muckenhirn, Brian Gonzalez and Jay Flaa and outfielder Zach Jarrett from minor league camp.

Former Orioles Nick Markakis and Darren O'Day aren't listed among Braves players available today.

For the Braves
Ronald Acuña Jr. RF
Ozzie Albies 2B
Freddie Freeman 1B
Adam Duvall LF
Dansby Swanson SS
Ender Inciarte CF
Johan Camargo 3B
Yonder Alonso DH
Alex Jackson C

Felix Hernández RHP

* There are small-world moments that bring a smile and the kind that break hearts. This one is the latter.

David Forney, a senior offensive lineman on the Naval Academy football team, died Thursday after being found unresponsive in Bancroft Hall.

His father, Rick, pitched at Annapolis High School and Anne Arundel Community College. The Orioles selected him in the 26th round of the 1991 First-Year Player Draft.

Forney never reached the majors, but he made it to Triple-A Rochester in 1995. He retired in 2000 after a fourth season with the independent Winnipeg Goldeyes and later became the club's pitching coach and manager.

Forney's finest season came in 1993 when he was 14-8 with a 2.78 ERA in 27 starts with Single-A Frederick. He struck out 175 batters in 165 innings.