Daily dose of Duquette and Steve Johnson quotes

Paul Beeston insisted in December that he would remain as Blue Jays president and CEO in 2015. Bob McCown of Sportsnet 590 The Fan in Toronto offered further confirmation yesterday.

Does this end the Blue Jays' interest in Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette? Is it safe to go outside again.

Not a chance.

Duquette still could wind up with Beeston's job in 2016 and beyond if Orioles managing partner Peter G. Angelos agrees to compensation. If the club decides that it's reached the point of no return and should it allow Duquette to leave the organization.

Unfortunately, I'm not sure that we've advanced beyond where we stood before the Sportsnet 590 report. Trust me, I'd love to move on from this story.

Moving to another topic, Steve Johnson is happy to remain in the Orioles organization after signing a minor league deal yesterday that includes a spring training invite.

Johnson had other options, but he's staying home.

"This is definitely a big deal for me, just to get it finalized," he said. "It was kind of a long process, but everyone wanted to make sure how my arm was holding up and how it's going. But I appreciate the Orioles giving me an opportunity to come in and get healthy and hopefully throw the way I'm capable of. Hopefully, I'll get back to the big league club and help them win.

"It was a tough situation. I didn't put myself in the best scenario coming off an injury, but the Orioles have been great through the whole thing. They wanted me to get healthy and they let me know they wanted me back the whole time. That's a big deal. And Baltimore is home for me. That's a big part of the process.

"It's tough going to another team. I like the guys, I like the organization. They've been great to me. If I can get healthy and see what this year brings, why not?"

Johnson, who underwent surgery in September to shave a bone spur behind his right shoulder, started to throw a couple of weeks ago and said he could move to a mound in the next week or so for a series of bullpen sessions before spring training.

"So far so good," he said. "I feel like I could go through a regular throwing progression like any other year. This is a good start. I may take it a little slower than usual once I'm on the mound, but I feel pretty good about it."

Johnson, 27, could be brought along slowly once pitchers and catchers report to the Ed Smith Stadium complex. The Orioles haven't laid out a schedule for him.

"I think it depends how I'm feeling after I throw a couple of bullpens," he said. "Maybe I won't start throwing bullpens as soon or maybe I won't throw as much while I'm home. I can kind of gauge from there after I throw a couple bullpens, what I can do. If I come to spring training and I feel good, I don't see any limitations. They may limit me, but if I feel good I don't see why any limitations would be put on me."

The St. Paul's graduate just wants to pitch without pain and the restrictions caused by the bone spur.

"It wasn't my best year," he said. "It started at the end of spring training. I was hoping it was a minor thing and obviously it turned into a lot bigger thing. It wasn't my best year, but the last two haven't been my best injury-wise and it's frustrating.

"I hope this year is different and all the injuries are behind me and everything is good. I can't really do anything else about it. Just go out and pitch and show what I can do."

In whatever role they decide.

"I haven't talked to anybody about it," Johnson said. "I feel like I can do either one as long as I feel healthy, especially if my arm bounces back the way it's supposed to right away. I don't see any reason why I can't start. That's what I've done my whole career in the minors. But I'll do whatever it takes to get up there.

"If they want me to start in the minors or pitch in relief, one way or the other that's fine. I'll do whatever it takes. And they will ultimately make that decision."

Be sure to check Steve Melewski's blog if news breaks today. I'll be busy as the guest speaker at the York Revolution's annual Hot Stove Luncheon.