Allenson, Matusz, Tillman, etc. (updated)

Did you see the report coming out of Peru about a coach from Sport Ancash, a professional soccer team, being accused of giving players from Hijos de Acosvinchos tainted water that resulted in their on-field collapse during a recent game? Poisoning the other team and causing a collapse? Maybe that explains the 2-16 start. I promised myself that I wouldn't mention the Orioles' coaching staff again until the club finally made an announcement, but here I go. I had a brief chat with Gary Allenson, who's still waiting to find out whether he'll return as third base coach, be reassigned on the staff, return to his old job as Triple-A Norfolk manager or update his resume. This isn't Allenson's first rodeo. As he reminded me late in the season, he's not accustomed to multi-year contracts and any semblance of job security. Doesn't make it any easier, but such is his life. I think Allenson is an asset to this organization and I hope that he's retained in some capacity. He's served as a third base, first base and bullpen coach in the majors after playing for seven seasons, and also has been a minor league manager and catching coordinator. He's an instructor in spring training. The players respect him and also are comfortable working and joking with him. It's been widely speculated that manager Buck Showalter is waiting to find out whether Toronto third base coach Brian Butterfield lands a managerial job or decides to stay with the Blue Jays, who reportedly have eliminated him from their list of candidates. If Butterfield is available, the Orioles could lure him here. It wouldn't be a hard sell. Update: Rob Bradford of WEEI.com is now reporting that Butterfield is among four finalists for the Blue Jays job. Butterfield also is the Blue Jays' infield instructor, and a highly respected one, so he could take over those duties in Baltimore unless Mike Bordick joins the staff. Then they could wrestle for it. Showalter, Allenson and Butterfield roomed together in spring training when they managed in the Yankees' system. If bench coach Jeff Datz isn't retained. Allenson could work with the catchers. After all, he used to be one. Anyway, it'll all be sorted out eventually, and later than anticipated. All these managing jobs slowed the process. You know how Orioles left-hander Brian Matusz works out at Athletes' Performance Institute in Arizona every year? Well, he's reporting to the newer Southern California facility on Nov. 1, and he's bringing along a friend: Teammate Chris Tillman. I'm told that this facility is geared more toward pitching-oriented workouts. Matusz lives in Hermosa Beach, and Tillman is about 10 minutes away from him. They've trained separately in the past, with Matusz unable to convince Tillman to join him in Arizona. AFL update: The Scottsdale Scorpions won again last night, 6-3, over the Mesa Solar Sox. Catcher Caleb Joseph went 0-for-4 and Wynn Pelzer, acquired in the most recent Miguel Tejada trade, was credited with a "hold" despite allowing a run and a hit, walking three batters and throwing a wild pitch, in 1 1/3 innings. Pelzer threw 35 pitches, 16 for strikes. Bryce Harper started in right field for the Scorpions and went 1-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. Mesa raises the age-old question of whether you'd rather have Red, White or Solar Sox. Tough call.