Despaigne gets second chance to make an impression

SARASOTA, Fla. - There's no doubt that Ubaldo Jimenez would like a do-over after his first exhibition start on Wednesday, but what about Odrisamer Despaigne?

Almost forgotten is how Despaigne followed Jimenez to the mound and allowed three inherited runners to score and two of his own in a 11-4 loss to the Braves at Ed Smith Stadium.

Despaigne was charged with two runs and three hits, with three walks, in 1 2/3 innings.

No one is overreacting to a single spring training appearance, and that includes Despaigne, who is sound physically and looking forward to today's relief outing against the Twins in Fort Myers.

Despaigne is on the travel roster for the split-squad game and should take the mound after starter Tyler Wilson.

"I feel fine," he said, with special assignment pitching instructor Ramon Martinez serving as interpreter. "(Wednesday), I was a little bit excited, rushing a little bit. I'm fine."

Despaigne offers an assortment of pitches and different looks on the mound, but he's not pressured to open up the entire bag of tricks in spring training.

"It's not that important because they know what I've got," he said. "The main thing I'm doing right now is preparing myself to get in shape in spring training and be ready for the season."

In whatever role that's offered to him.

The Orioles acquired Despaigne from the Padres on Feb. 4 for short-season Single-A Aberdeen pitcher Jean Cosme. They later signed Yovani Gallardo to a two-year deal with an option, most likely forcing Despaigne to Triple-A in April.

There's an opening in the Orioles' bullpen, but Despaigne has three minor league options and is viewed more as rotation depth.

"I'd like to be up here, but also, I can pitch in the bullpen," he said. "It doesn't matter to me. I can be whatever they need. If they need me in the 'pen, I can be in the 'pen. Either one I can do."

Despaigne is a native of Cuba and he approves of the Rays playing a March 22 exhibition game on the island.

"It would be great for the Cuban people and I hope someday in the future Cuban players can come over here a better way than they do now," he said. "It would be great for the Cuban people."

Despaigne was a month shy of his 12th birthday when the Orioles played the Cuban National Team at Estadio Latinoamericano in Havana. The memory brought a rare smile to his face. He usually looks so serious, especially while conducting his first interview with the beat crew.

"Yeah, I was young and I enjoyed the game," he said. "I had a great time."

I'm staying back in Sarasota today to monitor the clubhouse once it opens to the media and cover the 7:05 p.m. game against the Rays at Ed Smith Stadium. Kevin Gausman makes his exhibition debut.