Answering the Adams question

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Ryan Adams was in the Orioles' original lineup today as the starting second baseman. Brandon Harris replaced him in the second lineup. Adam was re-inserted in the third lineup. Good idea to play him today. Adams gave the Orioles a 1-0 lead in the second inning with a double to right field off Houston's J.A. Happ that scored Brandon Snyder, who also doubled. Adams initially slowed up at first before racing to second ahead of the throw. Robert Andino, batting leadoff, followed with a two-run bloop single to right. Orioles 3, Astros 0. Many readers have asked me whether Adams could replace injured second baseman Brian Roberts on opening day. I won't completely shoot down the possibility, but it's highly unlikely that Adams will make the jump from Double-A Bowie, especially with his defense being a concern. He moved to third base at Bowie last summer after Tyler Henson went down with an injury, and he played the hot corner in the Arizona Fall League. It looked like the Orioles were trying to find a position for him. Adams could make the second base decision, if it exists, a lot harder if he keeps hitting this way. He's 5-for-11 with two homers and six RBIs, and he figures to get a longer look with Roberts shut down with back spasms and scheduled for an MRI later today. But he's still an extreme long shot to make it. Zach Britton has allowed two hits and walked a batter in two innings. He's thrown 31 pitches, 20 for strikes. That's seven scoreless innings for Britton this spring. I asked manager Buck Showalter how he decides whether to start Britton or Chris Tillman, since their turns fall on the same day. "They alternate," he replied. So much for a complicated system.