Hunter scratched, Wada throws

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

March 01, 2012, 7:45am

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SARASOTA, Fla. - Tommy Hunter has been scratched from making Tuesday's exhibition start against the Red Sox in Fort Myers because of lower-back stiffness. Hunter will stay back in camp and throw a two-inning simulated game. This move is done mostly as a precaution. It's not like the Orioles are shutting him down. They just want to control his environment - prevent him from having to field balls or get too deep into counts if he's tiring. I'll post manager Buck Showalter's comments later. Chris Tillman will make Tuesday's start, and Wei-Yin Chen will start Wednesday's game against the Twins in Sarasota. Tsuyoshi Wada played catch today and reported that his left elbow feels much better. He made 25 throws from 50 feet and will repeat that routine tomorrow. He could return to the mound next week. Wada played catch with reliever Willie Eyre, who's recovering from a groin strain. Catcher Ronny Paulino's car has reported to camp. That's it. Just his car. Still no sign of Paulino. Pitcher Oscar Villarreal returned to camp today and threw a 30-pitch side session. Minor leaguers Trent Mummey and Glynn Davis will report to the Ed Smith Stadium complex for the two intrasquad games. Other players also will be brought over.