Chavez, Miller closer to returning (Reimold homers again)

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Outfielders Endy Chavez and Jai Miller remain out of the lineup for today's game against the Phillies, but they're getting closer to returning from their respective injuries. Chavez hasn't played since Wednesday because of a strained groin, which happened after he laid down a bunt and raced up the line. "Getting better every day," manager Buck Showalter said. "I don't have him going over to Bradenton (Monday night) right now, but that could change. I'm hoping Tuesday. I'd have to feel 100 percent he's a no-risk factor to do that." Miller has been sidelined with tendinitis in his right knee. "I think he's got a chance tomorrow night to go," Showalter said. Miller said the injury dates back to his high school basketball days, and it crops up periodically. "It's something I've been dealing with, but it just got to the point where it got pretty bad and I needed some time off to let it heal. I'm pretty close to being in the lineup," he said. "I'll see how today goes. We're going to get out today and test it pretty good. Hopefully, have no setbacks and be ready to roll." Miller didn't have an MRI on his knee. "Nothing too serious," he said. "Just something I've dealt with in the past and I pretty much have been through it. I know how it goes. It wasn't anything too serious. Just one of those things, spring training early, and your body just going through the growing pains of getting back into things. "I've been dealing with it for probably a week and a half, but it wasn't too bad. I was getting treatment on it and playing through it. But it wasn't getting any better, and then it started to get worse and I had to think of the whole season instead of right now because you don't want to do anything too serious where you're not able to be on the field for an extended period of time. "It's actually an old basketball injury and it's something that flares up from time to time, but I've never missed any extended period of time. I should be back in there real shortly." Reliever Jason Berken will make his debut today against the Phillies after being sidelined with a hamstring injury. Left-hander Erik Bedard is scheduled to start for the Pirates against his former team Monday night in Bradenton. "We've got a lot of guys really wanting to be in that game because of the lights and being in that environment," Showalter said. "I made out the lineup with a couple erasers in case we have to make some adjustments." Tommy Hunter is starting for the Orioles Monday night. Jim Johnson also is scheduled to pitch. Majority owner Peter Angelos is attending today's game in Clearwater. Game update: Nolan Reimold homered for the second time in two days, with his solo shot off Roy Halladay giving the Orioles a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Wilson Betemit doubled and scored on Ronny Paulino's single down the left field line, increasing the lead to 2-0. Brian Matusz retired the Phillies on three fly balls in the top of the first and threw six of his eight pitches for strikes.