Davis on leading off: "It's been a while"

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles infielder Alexi Casilla says his right hamstring is still sore and he will spend the day icing it. Casilla remains day-to-day after leaving yesterday's workout. Chris Davis can't remember the last time he batted first prior to today's intrasquad game. Guys who can launch a ball 500 feet aren't your prototypical leadoff hitters. Davis has never batted first in the majors. He's 0-for-2 in the second slot. Manager Buck Showalter went the alphabetical route in making out his two lineups. Rule 5 pick Michael Almanzar is leading off for the visiting team. Davis floated his own theory before attending a meeting for position players and taking the field for batting practice. "It's been a while. I feel like he's probably exercising his sense of humor," Davis said. "I'm always wearing him out. I'm like, 'You know we have all these leadoff questions. Don't be scared.'" I wondered whether Davis campaigned for the job today. "I'm always campaigning for everything," he said. There's a popular theory that managers should bat their best hitter first to give him more chances at the plate. "Is that so?" Davis said. "I think he probably wants Brian to face some left-handers. That's just my take." Davis participated in a bunting drill a few days ago, but he won't change his approach today. Guys nicknamed "Crush" aren't big on small ball. "That's not happening," he said. "Let's be honest."