Encouraging news on Duchscherer and others

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

February 28, 2011, 11:06am

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BRADENTON, Fla. - Justin Duchscherer has a lot to learn about being shut down for 48 hours. After playing catch yesterday, Duchscherer threw off flat ground, a flat mound and a half mound this morning in Sarasota. Manager Buck Showalter stayed back to watch before heading to Bradenton for the Orioles' 6-4 victory over the Pirates. Showalter said that Duchscherer was throwing with "some hops" on the half mound and didn't have any discomfort in his left hip. Duchscherer will take off tomorrow and be re-evaluated on Wednesday. No tests are scheduled on his hip. Also, Derrek Lee took batting practice again this morning. That's two straight days. And he didn't have any issues with his right thumb. And finally, Brian Roberts' neck continues to improve and he's expected to debut tomorrow in the Orioles' home exhibition opener against the Rays. Miles Durham hit a two-run homer off Josh Rupe with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to complete the scoring. Rupe should have been out of the inning. Robert Andino couldn't make a play while charging a ground ball, and Nick Green committed his second error at third base, leading to two unearned runs. Quotes to come.