A few pregame notes from Norfolk

By Steve Melewski

Orioles

March 29, 2014, 10:09am

Comments

NORFOLK, Va. - There are a few notes to pass along today from Habor Park before the Orioles play the Tides in the O's exhibition finale. Buck Showalter did not announce any roster moves during his pregame press conference today. At this moment, the O's roster stands at 35. We still could get some cuts later today. Showalter said Nick Markakis was scratched from today's lineup due to a stiff neck. He felt it happened on the plane ride here from Florida. Showalter said he had a heat pack on it. When asked if he was concerned Markakis might need to miss Monday's opener, Showalter said, "Not yet." Manny Machado has left the team to attend a funeral in Miami. He'll be back in time for the opening day ceremony when he will get his Gold Glove and Platinum Glove. Showalter said the Orioles were hoping they would make it here for this game and that the club had to decide by 6:30 last night to let the people with the Delta airlines know. He said it was his hope all along the club would make it here to face their Triple-A affilaite. "If it's important to the fans, it should be important to us," he said. "We prepared for if we could not play here. There could be rain in Baltimore tomorrow (for the team workout). We may work inside tomorrow."